I've seen in-laws nephews and people I know go through this first hand, they should not be pitied but put somewhere to dry out and if it persists and the habit is started again then locked away in their own community.

Sadly pity is the worst thing we can show people with habits it only encourages the need to lie and continue their habit, making either dealer or barman rich off folk just like you while helping those whose habit they feed end their life swiftly?