There's the concept of "Maturing Out" that I sometimes see referred to. I believe the term refers more to "problem drinkers" than what we here would call an "alcoholic". I've seen it in relation to some of the studies done on different types of treatments options. There's some debate on how to handle the data regarding those people that would "mature out" of there drinking problems.
My STBXAH thinks he can moderate. And I suppose he can. If moderation means drinking one nice little drink in public and then going home, locking yourself in a back room, and getting balls to the wall black out drunk. It's an illusion.