I guess I really don't have any advice. Just want to share my similar experience about 20 years ago. I was not a daily drinker then, and could probably label myself a social drinker. There was a man at work who exhibited the same signs as your coworker. This man would disappear for an hour or 2 in the middle of the day and come back reeking of booze. He eventually did get fired. Don't know what turned him around but I ran into him at a seminar a year or 2 later. He looked much better, had gained weight, and appeared to be sober. I spoke casually with him. I hope he stayed on track, but I never did run into him again. Maybe it was being fired...don't know. It doesn't sound as if your coworker is ready to give up the bottle yet. He probably doesn't think he has hit bottom. If he keeps it up, he undoubtedly will be fired too. Hopefully that would be a wake up call. He is undoubtedly in denial. Talking to him about it probably wouldn't help. Sorry I couldn't be of more help. :-)