it's not really a revelationary assumption to make.

I think Richie is a boozebag and he will be till he's old and grey...well older and greyer.

He's an alcoholic. A functioning one...he gets up and does his day job without too many "hic-ups" but he's a drinker all the same.

Doesn't make him a bad person-just someone who for thirty years has had a few beers after leaving the office. Same as Billy Joel.