Has My Boyfriend Really Changed?

I am just recenltly back together with and living with my 15 year old daughters father. I have lost all my friends because they hate him. He has burned a lot of bridges wth everyone, treated me horribly in the past, is bipolar and drinks. But within the last year he has miraculously made a huge turn around. He wants to be a better man and has a yearning to be closer to God.

He is no longer selfish or mean spirited, but doting and loving, respectful, attentive, receptive and responsive to my needs… Words, just over a year ago, one would never use to describe him. Things seem good. He takes his meds daily, (with my help) he is living with me because he has no money and no place to go. He helps around the house and makes dinners and kind of cleans to make up for not having money for rent. His drinking has greatly subsided but not completely. Prior to his change he was on a reckless, self destructive alcohol binge, constantly depressed, drank every penny he had away and was in bars nightly getting absolutely wasted.

My friends (his family) were a huge support to me for the 15 years but cannot see that he has changed because they won’t speak to me and I do regret losing them, but also feel relief because they were so against God and I never felt like I could be myself around them fully; because our worldviews were completely opposite. I regret letting him move in because I would like our relationship to be strong in Christ.

But now it’s too late and I don’t know what to do without causing more pain. And should I even be with him if he has a drinking problem even though we really do love each other? (He is not violent or abusive) Can I even help him to stop drinking? I am also afraid that this change will not last. I am so lost and want to do the right thing. I want to be able to help him, make ammends with my friends if possible, do the right thing by God. Please Help!

-Cynlys