Is he a Diabetic?
Have you ever heard of diabetic ketoacidosis?
It "presents" exactly like alcoholism
There is such a thing as Adult Onset Diabetes
It is important to note that to an untrained person the symptoms of acute DKA, such as breath odor, are very similar to alcohol intoxication, and it is easy to assume that the person is drunk instead of suffering from a diabetic emergency.
* Sluggishness, extreme tiredness.
* Extreme thirst, despite large fluid intake.
* Constant urination
* Fruity smell to breath, similar to nail polish remover (acetone).
* Hyperventilation, at first rapid and shallow, then progressively deeper and less rapid.
* Extreme weight loss.
* Oral Thrush and/or persistent vaginal yeast infections may be present; this is because the normal fungal flora present in the oral cavity and cervix are disrupted
* Muscle wasting.
* Agitation / Irritation / Aggression / Confusion
* Vomiting, nausea
* Extreme pain in shoulders, neck and chest
I would suggest checking this out, people can die from this.
Or, He's drinking
It's one or the other I would venture to say.