I disagree, respectfully, that he drank often. He just drank poorly.
Your 100% correct. Julia was his life. He drank most and worst when he was away from her for long periods without communication.
It's a pleasure to discuss this topic rationally and without emotion.
Guilty of that myself. I've also a low tolerance of alcohol and seldom drink. If I do, it takes very little to get me lightheaded so I don't ever have more than a half glass of wine, one beer, or one ounce of bourbon and that's about a half dozen times a year.