The author did well, and got himself some income from it in the end. If he begins drinking moderately, he’ll do OK, as one is not a powerless alcoholic for life as AA (protecting its own interests) insists.
I will say this just once as you apparently know nothing of alcoholism... An alcoholic can NEVER drink moderately. if he can, then he isn’t an alcoholic. It’s as simple as that.
The problem with your theory is that a real alcoholic/addict cannot partake moderately. Returning to his/her drinking/drugs/whatever addiction may begin with moderation, but it won’t last long.
Not quite: If one is not powerless over alcohol, then the statement "we are powerless over alcohol" is, of course, not true.
However, for those of us that are powerless over alcohol, that statement is true.
And the Big Book actually invites you to find out for yourself which group you are in:
"We do not like to pronounce any individual as alcoholic, but you can quickly diagnose yourself. Step over to the nearest barroom and try some controlled drinking. Try to drink and stop abruptly. Try it more than once. It will not take long for you to decide, if you are honest with yourself about it. It may be worth a bad case of jitters if you get a full knowledge of your condition."
So, if a person wishes, AA invites them to discover if they are, or are not, powerless over alcohol.