How can i tell if my boyfriend is dependent on alcohol?

Look for red flags: Look for the "red flag" warning signs of alcoholism: drinking in the morning, drinking alone, lying to you & others about drinking, needs to drink to "relax", forgets what he did while drinking, regularly drinks more than he intends to, etc. Unfortunately, you can't force him to get help; he has to want help, and alcoholics often erect walls of denial that can sometimes never be breached.