Yes it is very sad- I always enjoyed his work very much. A very realistic actor, hard to find.
And I think it's also sad that we sit here and pass judgement. Alcoholism/Drug Addiction is a complicated 'diesease', not simply defined a a moral issue
involving degenerate weaklings with no 'will power'. Many times it has a genetic basis. BTW- I would say that Suboxone ( buprenorphine) has become the more popular
opiate substitute. Can be done outpatient in a private doctor's office, without much hassle. Of course the drugs & alcohol are a small problem overall. It's a 'brain disorder'
involving the neural circuits for reward/avoidance. Plus, the ever present danger of 'relapse' even after a period of sobriety, as what seemed to happen here. That's why people
keep attending AA/NA, etc. They know if they don't keep a vigilant state this is the fate that may await them.