Jeri,

I assume you don't have much experience of folk clubs - particularly during the 60s and 70s.

It was the last place anyone with a drink problem should have been. Some survived it but some didn't.

As for "it should be easy for an alcoholic to refrain from drinking for the few hours they're on stage." Alcoholism comes in different degrees, and people have different personality types. If it was that easy maybe Alex really could have been a millionaire.