I know this is probably a common topic. For me, I’m not sure if it’s a “trope” or just totally misinformed writing, but it’s how many authors approach alcoholism. Some examples are Girl on the Train and The House Across the Lake, among HUNDREDS. If anyone else here has struggled with alcoholism, you know it’s not just "i woke up after downing an entire bottle of whiskey but was able to shower, down a cup of coffee, and solve a murder. "
It grinds my gears when a character’s credentials (especially military experience) are needlessly inflated. Jason Bourne and Lee Swagger need their resumes for their respective stories plot to make sense. But Walt Longmire being a former lineman at USC and recipient of the Navy Cross while his best friend and unofficial crime solving partner is former MACV-SOG is just ridiculous.
We are looking at you, Jack Ryan.