Since he is still drinking heavily, I would be very slow to build up any hopes that he is on the verge of starting a good relationship with you. He very well may actually love you, to the extent that he knows you. That doesn't mean he'ld be a joy to be in frequent contact with. A number of people quite close to me have been heavy drinkers. As fond of them as I was and as fond of me as they were, connecting with them tends to be a disruptive experience.

You ask about "giving him a chance." A chance for what? You need to get this clear in your mind. If you don't mind having the occasional encounter with him that is apt to be marred by his drinking, then I would say, "Sure, why not."

But, if you are contemplating giving him the chance to be the father you always wished he was, then forget it. He's not going to be that guy . . . . not so long as he is as heavily involved with booze as you describe. Consider the risks you are taking, if you try to establish more of a connection with him. For instance: How would you feel about him showing up at your front door, intoxicated, saying "I have no where to sleep tonight and I was hoping I could stay with you."

His distancing himself from you may actually have been a loving move on his part. Alcoholics sometimes don't want to expose their children to the nitty gritty aspects of their plight. Also, alcoholics are often on the lookout for someone who might be a source of financial support to them. As a child you couldn't be that. Is he possibly suddenly interested in you because he sees you as someone who can help him out when he's in a jam?

I'm not saying he is just out to use you. However, alcoholics tend to end up using anyone they can who is available to meet a need. (At least that's been my experience, which has been rather extensive.)

If you feel you want to open your heart to him, then you might say something like this the next time he calls: "I think about you, Dad, and I'ld like us to know each other better. Maybe we could meet for lunch one day soon." Then you could see how that encounter goes. Just keep in mind that once you open that door, you don't know what will come through it.