Just to respond to a few points, since I initiated the thread.

mattkeen, I don't think my (and others in this thread) saying that Davey's condition is "entirely self inflicted" is, as you put, it, a "completely heartless statement", but a statement of the obvious. Whoever strapped him down and forced alcohol into his mouth? If he is an addict, it is his choice to remain one or do something about it. As you rightly say, an ultimatum "often does not work with alcoholics and addicts - thats the nature of the illnees/condition sadly." In other words, it's his choice, his behaviour is in his hands alone, and the only way out is to make different choices. No amount of sympathy stops an addict from being an addict. Nor does any sort of help from any source - not until the addict decides to stop and accepts he is in trouble, then the help can be accepted.

It sounds as if his management is in the business of making excuses for him and brushing his appalling performance under the carpet. I think it's obvious why, and it's a scandal.