I discovered my father was an alcoholic when I was in college. His life ended in a heartache because he had returned to drinking (sipping his ex wife called it). He had been sober for years. Then, his diabetes went into overdrive, he was nearly blind, and I honestly think he no longer wanted to be here. My mom said he was a shy guy at first, but she believed he turned to alcohol to get passed the shyness. She said it was the shyness she liked.