No matter how far down the scale a person has gone, she can recover from alcoholism and reclaim her life. You know you have reached rock bottom when you quit digging and "throw away your shovel". You become willing and ask for help. The spirtual path of the 12 steps is a wonderful place to start. Many women have gone ahead in midlife and made the change and are there to help others in AA and other 12 step programs. I know this first hand.