sounds like a good question for his sponsor...does he have one?
IMHO I think sometimes that addicts in early recovery are still too dependent on acting out of their own will power. recovery takes some practice, and sometimes the ego of an addict will not recognize the imminent danger of an intense trigger and act quickly enough...
I know that it is often said that if someone wants to recover badly enough then they will...but early recovery is vulnerable and I am pretty sure that an NA sponsor would have him packing out of a heavy trigger zone immediately.
glad that he is open about it, that he wants to move, and that he recognizes his triggers...I hope he gets himself out of there. but that is HIS job, right?