Crossword Genius

Man wise to accept medication for drinking problem (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

spillage

'drinking problem' is the definition.
(an accident that might occur when drinking)

'man wise to accept medication' is the wordplay.
'man wise' becomes 'sage'.
'to accept' indicates putting letters inside.
'medication' becomes 'pill' (pill is a kind of medication).
'sage' enclosing 'pill' is 'SPILLAGE'.

'for' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for spillage that I've seen before include "Liquor lost" , "Something wasted" , "upset" , "Discharge" , "sloppy affair" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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