Logged Out, I was a widower at 30 because my wife was an alcoholic and WYSIWYG I did manage to get the word alcoholism onto the DC but it took effort and that was in the UK.
Only your partner can change his behaviour - and only if he wants to - and after 40 years I doubt he has either the mental strength or the physical capability to overcome his dependency without serious medical intervention. So the next step is looking after yourself by whatever means necessary. You are not responsible for his actions and you cannot stop him. When I left my wife for my own welfare and health- she drank more heavily and was admitted to hospital seriously ill and dying within 2 days. My actions initiated the binge but her actions were ultimately her own responsibility.
My wife was in ICU and fitting and hallucinating, etc - she survived and had a second chance but decided she would not take it, indeed I feel she could not take it - her shame was too much for her to overcome and died about 6 months later at 38. She weighed just 5 1/2 stone.
She was a bright educated woman, a head of modern languages in a large comprehensive.
There are support systems out there for both parties - I wish I had sought more support myself. You do not have to do what you have to do alone.
Gargoyle can often be brutal but I think in this case his advice is sound - make preperations. For months after we separated I was was walking into shops where she had presented bad cheques and paying what she owed - she had also forged my signature on some old temp cheques I had inadvertantly left behind. Knowing she was desperate enough to do this somehow made it worse.
Be honest with family and friends - some may not believe you but most will be supportive and understanding. The hardest was telling her mother why she was in hospital but once they get over the shock -they start to piece together their own evidence - in her mothers case - she received 4 Christmas cards - my wife did not remember sending each 'wave' of cards out.
I am a guest - but for no good reason really so am happy to join up and for you to PM if I can help you in any way I can.