He wasn't alcoholic, but regular/usual drinker. Second line is not just about his opinion, but acting also.
The soviet law about sobering-up stations formally states: "to detain drunk people if they can harm anyone (including themselves) or their presence is shameful for public". It's logical in it's core, but in practice you could be detained just for "drunk zigzag walking pattern". However it's not clear from context was it "just walking pattern" or really loud and shameful behavior. "Just like everyone else, could have rare day of shame" I think.