I want to clarify what I posted.
While I have seen alcoholics abstain that doesn't mean they are somehow "cured" for a week or two.
Ever been on a strict diet? How long did you last? A week, a few days? Although you can grit your teeth, go to work, do whatever else you have to do, even be pleasant to people, your stomach is growling and really you just want a chocolate cookie (in fact you think about food pretty much all day).
Now multiply that. I believe that is what it's like to abstain when you are an addict. The "cookie" is calling all the time.
He had at least 3 drinks a day, his 3 chocolate cookies a day - so yeah, not that difficult.
It doesn't really matter anyway. He will do whatever he wants, that is his prerogative.