The individual with this problem needs to quit drinking. That'll help. But it won't cure you if you have GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflex Disease), because once you've caused it, it's a chronic and...
ABSOLUTELY....the drug is called Naltrexone (depade/revia in other circles) and the research around this drug shows a 70% increased success rate from people who don't take the drug.
Most areas have treatment that is free or on a sliding scale, and there is always Alcoholics Anonymous for people who are really serious about quitting.
Yes, usually it happens at the same time, although I have seen patients who have had weak pulses but not breathing (usually following an overdose of an opiate drug such as heroin)