Your friend is playing Russian Roullete with his health.  RA meds can be super hard on your liver.  Some people who don't even drink at all have to eventually stop taking some of them because they do measurable damage.  That's why many (most) of us have to go in for periodic blood tests to check our liver enzymes.  Heavy drinking, also bad bad bad for the liver.  Think cirrhosis, right?  Combining the two...well worst case scenario, very sick or could kill you! 

Now, different rheumatologist have varying views on alcohol.  Mine says no more than two or three a week, some say none at all.  Absolutely NONE would condone getting wasted, even occasionally!  Now for me, even though "allowed" by my doc, I've opted for none at all and BELEIVE ME, I do miss my evening beer on the porch.  I just don't want to potentially limit my RA medicine options for the future, having no idea how badly I may end up needing them.

Yeah, your friend is heading down a dangerous path.  You may want to consider too that someone that abuses alcohol even in the face of serious consequenses, may have a second desease process in motion....alcoholism.

Sorry I can't be more cheery....but there you have it.