Maybe he should start this healing journey by trying to figure out how to forgive himself? How could he expect true forgiveness from other is he didn't have the courage to look at himself in the eye and offer forgiveness to the man he'd become?

I think we have to take many paths before we find the way home. God knows your heart. Not matter what, as long as you keep your faith, no matter how many right or wrong turns you take, you will find the right path. And you will come back home again.