the question is if he was apologizing... or apologizing with qualification...
or he was apologizing with justification...
Basically I know I did stuff that I wouldn't do if I wasn't drinking... but when I appologize to folks "I" will be the one apologizing... the drink wont be with me... and I can't go apologizing for the drink... because he isn't my friend anymore...
really amends is part of the letting go process... accept... set right... move on...
Some things you can make up for... like... I stole $20 bucks from this guy or that guy... well say you are sorry and give them money to make up for what you took...
other things all you can do is say sorry... it is the best you can do...
You don't stop drinking and whamo all your character defects are gone... it takes time...
Amends is the opposite of ignoring ones defects... it is actively discarding past filth... cleaning house...