So he's not to blame but I will avoid him anyway.
I dunno if your blaming him I think your realizing you have to avoid him.
I recently had to do this with a long time friend. I've seen the pattern for a while I talk tot his friend and all i do is complain about how crappy my life is this just makes me feel bad then this friend cant wait to jump in and point out why i'm a despicable human being etc.. I realized it was just not a healthy friendship if i wanted to keep a happy upbeat attitude and its so hard for me to do this with obstacles in my way and if i can remove them it makes my life easier.
Point is if this person is in the way of your sobriety welp i guess it could be time to part ways.