The major symptom of their problem is denial. Denial will tell them and everyone else that they do not have a problem. They are so convinced themselves that you believe them and chalk up their irresponsible behaviour to something else. Individuals become physically and mentally sick trying to figure out the alcoholic. Sometimes the family members cover up problems the alcoholic causes for fear of embarrassment.
Alcoholics eventually make themselves known to some government service.
Sometimes it is the hospital, occupational health, income assistance, divorce court or other services. In many cases, like drunk driving, it is to the legal system. We have been hoping that these individuals will become rational when they hear the message that we have offered to the rest of society. The fact is that they will never respond to the same message that we have tried to communicate to the rational portion of society. They never will.