The most salient issue (of many) with the “high bottom drunk” archetype is the assumption that we all start at the same floor. Substance abuse is directly correlated with poverty, racism, and exclusion. Many whose high intensity use coincided with homelessness and such didn’t have illustrious careers or prestigious degrees to lose because positions of power were inaccessible to begin with. This is yet another way that AA totally decontextualizes and de-politicizes addiction. I can assure you, for those of us whose lives have been horrific, alcoholism is life saving. It’s suicide prevention, and it will be until people who have influence opt to stop blaming us for our (very rational) coping strategies.