Considering that he will probably be prescribed morphine and other serious pain meds, I would really try and get him to discuss his addiction issues with his health care providers. The last thing you want is him replacing vodka with narcotics to dull his emotional pains. I know there was more than one night that I was tempted to just swig down a whole bottle of roxicete, and it was only my optimism and drive that prevented this...the same things that keep me from being an alcoholic.