You say that your long-distance friend is also in recovery? Well, it sounds to me like he's doing what he can to protect his own recovery and no one can fault him for that. Recovery is not a destination, it is a journey and it's something we must constantly nurture and protect.
He is correct that you need to focus on your own issues at this time and he is stepping back to allow you that time. It sounds like he truly cares about what is best for you.