Originally Posted by
north 
I know some on this board might react negatively to this suggestion, but based on the OP's description of her bf... what if he is simply a heavy drinker but not an alcoholic?
I agree. While it sounds like he might be a "functioning alcoholic", he is not likely to admit being one simply because there is little sign of life being unmanageable - YET!
He my turn into a full-blown alcoholic soon or go on just the way he is for another decade or two. The bottom line is, it is his decision to say he is an alcoholic.