Welcome Tink......stick around and read all you can because knowledge is power. And with the disease of alcoholism you will need all the knowledge you can get. Like the others have said please start with the stickies at the top of this forum and if you want to click on any of our names to read our histories. Again welcome here and keep posting.
It sounds like to me that his pattern of drinking is escalating and lasting longer...hopefully he will find a rehab that can help him now....before it worsens. AA is a very good place for him to start....the good people there can help him see the light and where he is heading if he doesn't stop now.