Well done Peter for supporting Caroline so completely.
I gave up alcohol and coffee because of an odd inner conviction that they were doing me harm.
No problems with alcohol but giving up coffee was really hard. Reminded me of packing up smoking in my 20s.
I guess it's just that as we get older alot of "avenues of pleasure are closed" to quote Basil Fawlty.
My doc says we should imagine these things as filling up a glass in our body. It can be filling up for years with no symptoms but suddenly when it's full, it's spilling over and causing problems. Turning off the tap for a longish time allows the glass to empty right back and then you can have the occasional drink or whatever, without it getting near to spilling over.

Hope all goes welland best wishes from me,
Nick