@ Melody:

Alcoholics can be scared enough, to become motivated to
clean up their bodies. It is not very common, but does happen.

This guy you describe could have an epiphany and learn to live better. It takes help for some, because the addiction is very strong, cravings, etc. And the impulsive personality does not lend well to the rigorous life style monitoring a diabetic has to do to survive.

But we know a guy who had terrible alcohol problems, and he was arrested one night in a rural area, handcuffed and in the police cruiser on the way to jail. Just before driving off the policeman got an emergency call for a huge fatality accident, and had to turn this fellow loose so he could respond quickly to that situation. So this fellow "saw the light... narrowly missing jail and losing his license" and joined AA and is still sober today.

The epiphany is going to have to be big... losing job, freedom, family,...it will always be different for each person. I think some counseling may help too. There however, was no epiphany for our neighbor.