Rebel,
Never a JW so I really cannot answer your thread but you said:
"many a pathetic alcoholic, but when I got to really know them, wow they rate up their with the finest people I have known."
Never a truer statement said, my mother without the alcohol was one of the top florist designers in Washington DC written up in all the magazines. She was sweet and kind to everyone in the community if it meant promoting her career but the minute she walked in the house she started drinking and became the most evil person on the face of the earth. She also knew every gay power house manager in town all the 5 star hotel managers, largest jewelry store owners or managers, top hair stylist and the list goes on. Every night they would put away some serious amount of alcohol. Before I was 16 LOL I am sure I could have qualified for bartender job because there was very few drinks I did not know how to make.