Damn. I’m convinced that it’s largely ego that keeps people from coming back to bitcoin once they are at that stage. Their brain and self can’t process ‘going backwards’ and admitting it was right in their face the whole time. There is a humility required many don’t have. Some friends of mine bought BTC and sold it (made $ at the time) but won’t get back in now because it would only be a reminder of how much they screwed up by selling. So they focus on ‘the next bitcoin’.
We are our own worst enemy in these ways. Bravo to you for realizing and hopefully your friend will come to this realization someday.