Can an Alcoholic Ever Drink Again? The Risks and Realities of Controlled Drinking

We recently launched our in-app chatbot, Melody, powered by the world’s most powerful AI technology. Melody is here to help as you adjust to a life with less (or no) alcohol. The idea behind these rules is that it requires honesty and the ability to understand the nature of addiction and what that looks like for you.

The chronic nature of alcoholism means that it typically worsens over time without intervention and can lead to significant impairment in daily functioning and quality of life. Understanding alcoholism as a progressive disease is crucial in the context of whether an alcoholic can ever drink again. As the condition advances, the physical and psychological effects become more severe, and the ability to control drinking diminishes. This progression is marked by increasing tolerance, physical dependence, and the potential for serious health complications, including liver disease, cardiovascular problems, and neurological damage. Psychologically, individuals with mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are at higher risk of developing alcoholism. Alcohol may initially serve as a self-medication mechanism, providing temporary relief from symptoms, but ultimately leading to dependency.

By surrounding themselves with positive influences, recovering alcoholics can find encouragement and reinforcement in their commitment to sobriety. On the other hand, moderation may be more suitable for those without a history of alcohol addiction or dependence, allowing them to enjoy the occasional drink without compromising their health. For a recovering alcoholic, having just one drink can be the catalyst for a full-blown relapse. Alcohol alters brain chemistry, reduces inhibitions, and blurs judgment, potentially weakening willpower and leading to alcohol dependence. This slippery slope can make it extremely difficult for individuals to maintain control over their drinking habits, even if they initially intended to practice casual drinking.

What causes alcohol relapse?

So even if you are incredibly inebriated and fall asleep, it’s likely you’ll wake up at some point in the night and experience rebound insomnia. Many countries take part in “Dry January”, a campaign which encourages people to Substance abuse give up alcohol for one month. In my view, taking a break from alcohol for four weeks is very psychologically beneficial, because it allows people to focus their minds on their relationship with alcohol. It wasn’t until 22 months that I started to think about alcohol, how I would like to reintroduce a glass of wine if I went out to dinner. That was all I wanted and I decided I was strong enough to be able to keep it at that. By the end of 2021 we’d all just survived a global pandemic and in Melbourne, where we were living, we were the longest locked down city in the world.

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Exposing yourself to them could cause a relapse or may be a sign that the relapse has already happened. When I woke up this morning I looked forward to my pot of tea, going for a run, finishing watching Night at the Museum with the kids, annihilating my husband in a general knowledge quiz. I do look forward to that glass of wine but I think the trick is to have lots of different things to look forward to. I want to really look at that, what gives me those good feelings. When I go to bed at night and recap my day it wasn’t the wine with dinner that stood out, it was playing Scrabble with my daughter.

Muse Can Help Alcoholics Achieve Lasting Recovery

Our daily research-backed readings teach you the neuroscience of alcohol, and our in-app Toolkit provides the resources and activities you need to navigate each challenge. Thoughts of drinking again can stem from a misconception that we can control our drinking or from societal pressures and situations where alcohol is present. It’s important to remember our reasons for sobriety and the negative impacts alcohol had on us in the past. Some of us are at greater risk than others for a number of reasons, including genetics and environment. For example, a study in Biological Psychiatry argues that “exaggerated reward center stimulation” puts some of us at greater risk than others — a predisposition that doesn’t disappear after a few months or years.

• Recovered alcoholics drinking again is not news, it is just part of the statistics.
• People with alcohol use disorder are still considered alcoholics, even if they abstain from alcohol and achieve sobriety.
• Or you’ve already relapsed and have stopped self-care practices.
• Depression can lead to relapses in alcoholics because their mental state cannot deal with the stress and anxiety involved in drinking alcohol again.
• The main similarity between these two alcohol uses is the difficulty in saying “no” to a drink at any time.

• Individuals who are healthy and stable in their goals and relationships may be able to slowly reintroduce alcohol back into their lives.
• Don’t wait— reach out today to take the first step toward taking control of your life.
• Some will relapse very briefly – one wild night of partying will end in a few shots, but they won’t drink again after that.
• Creating a relapse prevention plan involves reflecting on past experiences, recognizing potential pitfalls, and developing a personalized approach to managing cravings and triggers.
• The journey into alcoholism is seldom a linear path but rather a confluence of various factors that predispose an individual to addiction.
• These influences can make it even more challenging to maintain control.

Your relationships may become even more strained, as some friends and family members who considered you to be “fun” while you were drinking now perceive you unpleasantly. Our state-specific resource guides offer a comprehensive overview of drug and alcohol addiction treatment options available in your area. If you’re in a period of mental relapse, one of the best things you can do is work to find strategies to avoid high-risk situations. You could, for example, be going over in your mind permitting yourself to use in a certain situation. It can be hard for you if you experience a mental relapse because you might have felt that you’d never think about using again after treatment.

What’s the Difference Between the Types of Relapses (Slips, Lapses & Relapses)?

• For some, this approach represents a more flexible and potentially realistic goal, especially for those not fully committed to lifelong abstinence.
• Social situations can be challenging for those in recovery, with the pressure to drink often present in various settings.
• Usually, when people drink large quantities of alcohol, they either don’t eat very much or don’t eat healthy food.
• Anecdotal evidence suggests the effects of a detox from alcohol are gradual over the entire four-week process; so there’s not a set timeline for each to kick in at one time.
• A lapse is a brief return to drinking or using drugs, but the individual quickly stops again.
• In summary, the concept of controlled drinking in the context of alcoholism is fraught with complexities and divergent opinions.

Addiction relapse is serious and although you need to be empathetic, you should not ignore the issue or resolve them of responsibility. I have noticed that since I’ve gone back to drinking I now sometimes have two drinks over the course of the night, because it now takes those two drinks to give me the effects of the previous one. By implementing these strategies, you can contribute positively to their recovery journey and help create a stable foundation for long-term sobriety. What may begin as occasional binge drinking can develop into dependency over time.

Abstinence is essential for recovering alcoholics to reach their goals and maintain their sobriety. By eliminating the temptation of alcohol completely, individuals can focus on their recovery journey without the constant struggle of resisting the urge to drink. This unwavering commitment to sobriety can lead to a more fulfilling life than when they were drinking alcohol, even after quitting drinking. Attempting to drink alcohol after achieving sobriety can be a dangerous path.

• Their face may be red and blotchy, they may have a beer belly and look bloated.
• Alcoholism is a chronic disease that takes months or years of treatment and support to recover from.
• Write out both your recovery plan and your relapse prevention plan.
• If you have recently gone through alcohol withdrawal and are in the early stages of recovery, it is generally recommended to abstain from drinking.
• Checking benefits can help you access the care you need without financial stress.
• If they didn’t learn alternative coping skills, they don’t know what else to do when life seems too much for them to handle.

There are warning signs to look for if an alcoholic in your life begins to drink again after being sober. Certain behavior changes can signal that an individual with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) has relapsed. People with alcohol use disorder are still considered alcoholics, even if they abstain from alcohol and achieve sobriety. Even if someone is dedicated to abstinence, they are still at risk, especially when upsetting life events occur, and put them in a place where coping skills are needed.

What is Controlled Drinking?

If the individual with an alcohol use disorder begins to look like they did when they were drinking heavily, they may have relapsed. The individual may stop taking care of themselves, have poor personal hygiene, or have poor nutritional habits. If an individual who is sober with an AUD stops taking care of themselves, it may be a sign that they have started drinking again. As a relapsed alcoholic, you already have some knowledge about addiction and recovery. When you start treatment in an alcohol rehab center around Fairmont WV again, you’ll already have some understanding of how treatment works and what’s effective or ineffective in your case.

Why Do People Relapse?

Think about things that led to or worsened this relapse and how to remove them from your life. If a trigger is unavoidable, consider what you can do differently next time you face it. Those who remember the bad things that happened while drinking are less likely to relapse. Feeling nostalgic for “the good old days” is more likely to lead to a slip. You may suddenly find yourself craving a drink even after getting clean and sober. Knowing what to do when a craving arrives is part of successful recovery.