I can relate to your dilemma here as my son is also 14 and very close to his dad (my XAH) He gets all excited when dad tells him he’s quit drinking or “cut right down” and tells us all that he’s so pleased his Dad is gonna stop ahdvtgsg he really means it this time. But he’s soon back drinking or having “just the one - first in ages”. And son goes quiet and says nothing.

I think my son will only learn sadly through being let down repeatedly 😢 I don’t think we can protect them from it - only be there to support them. The worst thing to do is say “Dad won’t do it” because when Dad doesn’t do it - they won’t want the “I told you so, I knew this would happen” conversation with us.