He said he re-mustered after the war and liked not having to make any decisions about his life - he knew where he would be sleeping and someone cooked his food for him!
In many ways you highlight what has always been the problem for service personnel who leave after long stints. They have become so Institutionalised that coping in the outside world becomes impossible so solace is sought in the demon drink.
Some end up in prison which is just another institution they can cope within.