True, Howard's problem isn't that he's a closet bender. It's that he's got a HUGE ego and a massively inflated view of his own intelligence. Hence his condescending responses to everyone regarding their thoughts on medical issues and the constant deleting of his own posts when he lets his true personality show too much.
He also wanted Hankins to recognize him as an authority on bodybuilding, and be able to claim some part in Hankins successfully competing. He then melted down when he got ignored and went into overdrive trying to tell Hankins how to manage his relationships, etc. Fat Howard the Cuck, lol.