Calling his buddy is not a bad thing but a wiser course of action is to find a sponsor whom you don't have a personal relationship with and that is a recovered alcoholic. If his friend is a recovered drug addict then he is not technically an AA member which is an exclusive organization for alcoholics only.
While addiction is similar a drunk does best with a ex drunk who is in authentic recovery and will help your A be completely accountable.
Meetings will help with lonliness but the most important part of AA and its heart is doing the hard work of the steps and livng them daily with a no nonsense sponsor.
Remorse is not a bad thing but unless he gets plugged in his talk will not keep him sober and it is highly unlikely that open meetings will do the trick without the work and a real sponsor.
It is not your job to figure this out or even relay it to him... just pointing it out because it is a very slim few that make it out of addiction and those that do follow the program to the letter...
Chit chatting on the phone with a buddy and catching a meeting here and there doesn't get it for a real alcoholic...
Just have plan a, b and c in place and take care of your own recovery and keep him in your prayers that he connects with his HP and gets a strong sponsor.