spia, go up and read around the newcomers section....getting sober is dang hard work.....but it's the staying sober that takes a lifetime of effort. recovery IS possible, but it all depends on how committed the addict is to the process. it doesn't happen on it's own....it's a physical, mental and spiritual defect.
regardless of what happens with him, you still have to take care of you. if he got zapped off the planet by aliens you'd still have to carry on. if he drinks again, you still have to carry on. if he remains sober for life, you still have to carry on.
sober doesn't guarantee anything but not getting drunk and stupid.