That's... not how it works. One might have become an alcoholic because the rest of their life was shit; but remaining an alcoholic is another matter. Highly-functioning addicts are still addicts. A lot of neurochemical processes don't care for the social or psychological situation.

It's a bit like saying that "people can sail the Atlantic in a kayak"; a few might make it, but the overwhelming majority will die under the waves, and telling them they can do it is just Bad.