I don't think he lied, I think that M (however well-meaning) was just wrong. I know he has a problem, I suppose I just wanted to know how to deal with it, if it can be dealt with, if I'm wasting my time/my life.
Also I think he knows that he has to avoid certain situations and is trying to pull away from them. He always just goes on about how he needs the money though (which is kind of true but I don't see why he can't just get a normal job like the other 98% of the population)