The "quitting drinking" part will end up being a larger part of the equation than most imagine. Blood alcohol sugar is just a plain bitch. The older you get, the more it sabatoges fit bodies.
Don't get too into "heavy" lifting. It takes its toll on the joints sooner or later, and when that time comes, there is not much you can do except deal with the pain for the duration of the remainder of your life.
Benefit to risk ratio will always be in favor of consistency and moderate weights with precise form-- go for the pump.
Get the calories in intervals and as clean as possible. If there is any juice left for cardio, use it sparingly.
Committment.
If your friend could stop drinking completely and substitute with water, the physique he is looking for will come much quicker-- if this "friend" happens to be female, double or triple the equation just b/c of the backlash from estrogen levels instead of testosterone hormones.
Stick with it. Good luck and fortune in their endeavors. 'Time is a tickin...'