Funny stuff, Gregor, though I can't say I've ever noticed any sign of alcoholism among the CO wives I've known in about 35 years in Da Troof. Many of them seemed pretty cool and a lot freer than your average elder. At least back when they could still speak their mind to some extent and give talks they themselves had written.
We had this brother in the cong who so desperately wanted to be an elder. When we were sitting at a meal with the CO and DO present he would be namesdropping about where he'd been, what Bethel he'd helped out in and who had needed his advice, etc. Suddenly the DO said: "Tom, have you ever considered partaking of the emblems?" And Tom said: "No?!" Said the DO: "Well, think about it." We had a hard time supressing our laughter. The quizzical look on Tom's face was priceless.
About twenty years ago or so the role of the CO became more strictly regulated and in line with The Organization, in other words, a lot of bureacratic crap and a lot more enforcement of Society policies.
God, the endless boredom of being a Dub. Sooo glad I'm out.