Well, in my own experience, I was heading towards a serious drug/ alcohol issue if people didn't steer me in the right direction. I got scared straight and was sober for three months til I could learn how to deal without alcohol
I drink now but rarely get drunk. I almost always volunteer to the DD so I stay safe.
You can get better, but you have to 100% commit to it. Usually the drinking/drug use is because of something in the past, psychological ect. JFF needs to work on himself and figure out how to control himself in social situations. For me, I had to get away from the people that were putting me in a bad spot