Well, he engaged in 'arsehole like tendencies' two days ago. When an alcoholic is on the wagon for a long time and then falls off again, they're still an alcoholic.
Comparing an alcoholic to an arsehole is absurd. An alcoholic can never touch a drop of alcohol for fear of getting addicted to it again. Someone can be an arsehole some of the time, and very nice the rest of the time!