This thread shows how people often don't know what moderation is.
RE: your list of examples - the difference is an inordinate number of lifechanging very poor decisions resulting at worst death of another human tend to be made under the influence of alcohol.
That's why alcohol is special.
Having cared for hundreds of patients in need of liver transplants due to alcoholism - it is thee worst way to die.
They are all blood, diarrhea, laxatives, bloody diarrhea, bloody vomit, encephalopathic confusion, and massive emergency blood transfusions. Usually in and out of the hospital on the regular.
The ascites comes along with it but is often the least of their problems, except when it comes to breathing:
Esophageal varices FTW. Minnesota tube insertion is no fun for staff or patient:
Whatevs. I'm not anti-booze or anti-drug. Just posting my firsthand experiences.
It's impossible to convince an alcoholic they have a problem - they always get defensive or rationalize.
Unfortunately they have to figure it out for themselves, often by hurting themselves but worse by hurting someone else.