My mom was a functional alcoholic too.
When I was real little I never saw her. I don't even think she lived at my grandparents.
Whenever I could even though I was 10-12 yrs old, I'd board a bus and go live with my favorite aunt.
One disappointing thing,Aunt promised to keep me in fashionable clothes and mom promised to pay for University.
Neither kept their promises.
So I had to work nights to put myself thru school. It took 7 years but I was lucky. I had grants. Scholarship. And I paid as I went.

I feel bad for the people who borrowed to go to school and are saddled with huge debt.