My ex used to praise me when I would go a day or two or three without drinking. The only thing it would do is let me convince myself that I am doing great and I deserve a beer with lunch, which of course put me right back on a bender. The praise kind of jaded the reality of how deep of a hole I am actually in. She eventually walked out because of the drinking, and she probably thought she had done all she could do even though the praising and pacifying probably did more harm than good.
My advice? Don't pacify an alcoholic.