I'm worried to death! Advice... PLEASE

I am worried about my husband.  He is 41 years old.  He has been heavily drinking beer EVERYDAY since he was 18.  He now drinks about a 12 pack or more of 12oz beers every night.  He also takes 1.5mg-3mg(all at one time) of Xanax at night time along with the beer.  He has been taking the Xanax everyday since he was 24.  He also takes Ambien as needed. I think he has become immune to all of the medications because you would never be able to tell that he was on medication!!  And, I have surprisingly NEVER seen him drunk.  He acts as happy as can be - not mellow.
Now, here is what is worrying me.  Since November, sometimes at night time he passes out.  He will cough and gasp for air and then pass out.  While he is passed out, his body shakes like he is having a seizure.  His eyelids remain open his eyes roll back into his head and turn red.  While he is passed out, he can't breathe.  And yes, he HAS done this before while he was driving (two times).  This has happened about 15 times since November and it is gradually getting worse.
My husband tries to blame the passing out on a variety of things.  First, he blamed it on not being able to breathe as well as he should because of asthma and allergies.  So, I took him to the doctor and had the allergy/asthma problem taken care of and he still passes out.  Now he blames it on sleep apnea.  
Does anyone know what may be wrong with my husband?!    I am so worried about him and I'm scared that this may end up as a fatality!!  If anyone has any advice.... PLEASE GIVE IT!!  I'm begging you!

Ashley

[boogieman]

please see my response in the alcoholism forum

[JOEY3R]

i am a recovered alcoholc,  i also have asthma and that pass out thing and sleep apneA, YES IRONIC AINT IT?  all 4 are seperate. your husband may be in need of help for his drinking.from alcoholics anonymous of which i am a member, asthma can be controlled with proper medication albuterol inhaler for attacks and advair for sustained control. i have a CPAP machine i wear at night for sleep apnea, and when i get a cold i must control the cough even tho so docs recomend no cough meds beacause asthma likes coughing to keep airways clear. i have to some times for a heavy constant cough cuts off oxygen to the brain and causes the pass out. this can be more dangerous than the asthma and as bad as the sleep apnea for obviosly passing out at the wrong time could easily be fatal.
check out my story at www.mancrythemovie.com i am a native clevlander working on a film about my life. I have dedicated my life to helping people email me at ***@**** OR CALL ********** I DEFINATELY CAN HELP YOU. GOD BLESS!