W,
Great questions and good for you for doing your "homework". I was with my addict for 34 years. From year 1 he was lying and sneaking around with his addictions. Do you think that would have taught me something?? Plus, having a family history of alcoholism, Ugh! Nope, I thought I could handle everything.
Please educate yourself on what you are up against. He is showing you that he wants to drink. He is telling you that he needs to stop and has a problem. There is a huge gray area that you are heading down. All I have to say is, believe what he is doing, not what he is saying. They will say and do anything to protect their drug of choice.