I know what you mean, I find it very difficult to feel sorry for alcoholics, its a bit like drug addicts as well I find I find it difficult to feel sorry for them also.
But I don't know why? as there are a lot of self inflicted medical problems and for the most part I do feel sorry for them,
Its extremely difficult to stop smoking, anyone who has tried it will agree, and smoking can cause a lot of problems, but it wasn't that long ago that it was an acceptable practice.
Pubs are and have been part of a way of life for this country for hundreds of years, and drinking was and is an acceptable way of life, we have a standing joke about the amount of bottles of wine etc. that you can get in your motorhome on the way back from Europe.
But I still have problems feeling sorry for Alcoholic or Drug addicts even though I was addicted to fags, albeit I gave up 20+ years ago it was bloody hard.
I just wish they could find a cure for them