Numbering and bullets in Word docs keep disappearing

FYI everyone, I've been sleeping around with some other threads and found a https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/all/list-styles-randomly-changing-format-when/4f3c93b4-28f5-4d05-b495-611edd1d2420 (too many MS forums!!) that has a bunch of Word MVPs on it confirming what nikkipike first reported here - this is a known issue that MS is working on, and thinks they at least partially fixed in recent updates (definitely not fully, since I've had the issue since).

Best practices for living with this issue while they work on it appear to be

#1 trying to prevent people from using Word Online (although there appears to be no way to programmatically restrict this, or as I say, no way of idiot-proofing!),

#2 avoid modifying linked headings while coauthoring with tracked changes on.

#3 use a macro or otherwise train people how to reapply styles from template.

#4 When all else fails (and likely will), Drink.