He will never be the person he was once before. Even if he were to get into recovery, he'll still be a changed person.
I spent five years of hell with the EXAH, clinging to the fantasy thinking that he could be what he used to be.
The damage to my now 31 year old AD was profound.
Today I live in the moment, and accept things for what they are at that moment.
Sometimes reality is painful, but it's a pain that can be worked through. Fantasy thinking just drags the pain out indefinitely.
Alcoholism is a progressive disease-it only gets worse, never better.