On Thursday night, while having the "where is this going?" conversation, he told me that he's been hesitant to move things forward because he is an alcoholic
I agree, he told you exactly who and how he is. Then he went off with his buddies, this is his life and alcohol plays a big part in it.
Unless the conversation entailed him telling you he was going to stop drinking, attend AA or work some other kind of a program, then he has no intention of giving it up. And for you to stay knowing what he’s told you and seeing he’s not wanting to quit, you are moving forward with your eyes wide open and shouldn’t be surprised when it gets worse or expect it to be any different then exactly how it is today.