A professional, who asked to remain anonymous, said his relationship with a woman living with alcohol dependence exposed him to the emotional and practical consequences addiction can have on people closest to the person drinking. She became unhappy with her work, felt trapped and gradually started drinking more heavily. She started going out on her own a lot more frequently and coming home drunk. She was drinking at home, drinking at work and arriving home from work intoxicated.” For about six months, her drinking remained under control before she relapsed the following New Year’s Eve.