OP,
I hope you come back or are still around here reading, learning and opening to what the disease of addiction is like.
What you describe is something many of my friends in recovery experience, in similar ways. It sounds like this person is doing his best in dealing with a disease that's out to take him down. Be gentle with yourself and him.
Recovery programs help greatly in the sense of dealing with "this day" and life continually will improve. Sometimes quickly, sometimes it takes the months and years to reflect on where/what the fabulous improvements are.
NarAnon and Al-Anon can be amazing recovery programs for friends and family members, if they are open and willing to focus on themselves.
