i would suggest asking your boyfriend to go to someone other than a friend or family member who specializes in alcoholism. your boyfriend is an alcoholic. anyone with experience in this would know that and not brush it off. the deffinition above that he didnt learn coping skills and grew up where drinking was acceptable and basically doesnt know how to control his drinking is the defnition of an alcoholic. perhapse your boyfriend lied to you about what m said?
doesnt matter......the point is .. his friend isnt going to get him in the right direction. a proffesional will however and might i suggest in the future if the proffesional is a friend or family member walk the other way.....even that alone is playing with fire sometimes a person needs to talk with someone with no personal relationship attached to them.
you are not over reacting because YOU know deep down he IS an alcoholic and the friends "assesment" was bs which is why you are here in the first place.
read up on alcoholism. explore the forums here . i wish the best