There are no rules per se, just guidelines. It doesn't miraculously happen that after one year, 'presto!' they can manage a relationship. It depends on the people involved. It is more about the demands of recovery and the amount of focus it takes to be in a recovery program. And that is just the AA stance. For some, having stable support actually is helpful, for others a distraction or hinderance. If he is going through therapy or other means of recovery then it is about what works best for HIS personal recovery process.