Welcome to SR. I'm glad you found us and hope you find some comfort here reading all the stickies and other people's experiences.
The best thing you can do is go to Alanon. You will learn a lot about this thing called alcoholism and the best way to help your husband which is to learn how to help yourself. And keep coming back here to SR.
Your fear is perfectly understandable. Every single one of us have had that kind of fear when in trying to interact with our addicted loved ones. Things do get better, though. Your husband is in good hands. Chances are he's pretty freaked out about the whole thing himself, even though he may not act that way to you. Although not as common, alcohol does affect the esophagus. Maybe someone else will come along who has had personal experience with that.
Keep coming back!