Can Recovering Alcoholics Ever Drink Again?

When someone has a dependence or addiction to alcohol, they may find it necessary to get help to overcome their drinking habit, which may involve detox and rehab treatment to recover successfully, and not surprisingly, they may be asking themselves if they will ever be able to drink alcohol again afterwards.

There is no definite answer to this question as it depends on each individual’s circumstances and the effects of alcohol that differ from one person to another, but most severe cases of alcohol abuse would require complete abstinence from the substance to reduce the risk of relapse and to ensure a sustainable recovery.

However, some people may be able to drink In moderation at a later stage of recovery but only a very small percentage would find it easy to control drinking alcohol without falling back into bad habits due to alcohol being such an addictive substance and difficult to keep under control.

What Is Alcohol Addiction?

Alcohol is a legalized substance and is consumed mainly at social events or gatherings or just to experience the feeling of being relaxed.

The odd drink here and there is controllable, but if too much is consumed, the effect it has on the body can be unpleasant, such as the typical hangover symptoms, and it has been said by many a few that they would never drink again!

However, even knowing that hangovers are imminent, some people continue drinking up to the point they develop a tolerance to the substance, and this continued drinking leads to a dependency whereby alcohol is needed regularly to get through daily life.

As dependency grows, it leads to alcoholism, referred to as alcohol use disorder or alcohol addiction, and this is when heavy consumption becomes dangerous.

Alcohol use disorder can be mild, moderate, or severe, each category having its particular symptoms and side effects that can get worse if the condition is left untreated.

If your desire to drink becomes compulsive and you are struggling to control alcohol consumption, you should seek professional help as you may also be experiencing problems in functioning without alcohol that could impact your daily life.

How Can I Stop Drinking To Avoid Becoming An Alcoholic?

Social drinking or having one drink now and again won’t cause a serious problem; it is when the consumption of alcohol becomes regular, and larger quantities are needed, and the risk of dependency is more probable, leading to addiction.

To avoid the risk of becoming an alcoholic, it is crucial your drinking is controllable and that you can abstain from alcohol without any problem at any given time.

If you drink socially, you should avoid any form of binge drinking and be responsible for consuming legalized amounts in the event you have to drive or operate machinery or substitute them for alcohol-free beverages.

One drink can lead to another, and when it becomes second nature to reach out for a drink, it can trigger a downward slope to addiction and misery.

If you or someone you know is finding it difficult to moderate drinking alcohol and are concerned about withdrawal symptoms, you should first seek professional help to advise and guide you on the options available to help with your problem. Alcoholics Anonymous has useful information and offers support groups to anyone facing substance abuse.

Do Withdrawal Symptoms Continue During Abstinence?

Depending on the severity of the problem, quitting drinking altogether is not an easy process due to the withdrawal symptoms that can cause serious complications.

Mild to moderate cases of alcohol consumption may be less problematic to deal with, but symptoms may still be intense and uncomfortable which is why going cold turkey and attempting to stop drinking alone is not recommended, as withdrawal symptoms can be unpredictable, and we don’t know what we are dealing with until they become present and could have adverse effects on the body.

Without proper supervision, there is a much higher chance that the individual will have a relapse and rekindle the addiction.

Severe cases of alcohol use disorder will need a detoxification program to eradicate all traces of alcohol from the body for the healing process to start. Detox can take between 1 to 2 weeks, and treatment should always be carried out by qualified medical professionals who can address and intervene in any complications related to withdrawal symptoms.

The physical symptoms of alcohol withdrawal may include sweating, shaking, high blood pressure, shallow breathing, or vomiting, among others, and can cause serious injury if not treated by healthcare professionals.

Psychological effects can appear in the form of nervousness, depression, anxiety, confusion, and, in severe cases, hallucinations. Symptoms may vary from one person to another.

They can be more or less intense, but generally, some discomfort and unpleasantness will be experienced, which is why detoxing from alcohol is always best treated by experts.

After a successful detox, the majority of patients continue receiving aftercare and ongoing support either as an inpatient at a rehab or as an outpatient. This support is crucial to maintaining abstinence, and even though the worst of the withdrawal symptoms may have subsided, cravings may still be present, perhaps less intense, but their prevalence could be enough to force someone back to their old routine and take up drinking again.

Recovering from alcohol addiction is a lengthy process and doesn’t just stop after rehab. It requires full cooperation from the individual to maintain abstinence for as long as their intent is on living a life of sobriety.

Due to the commitment and challenges a patient has to endure, the majority only focus on long-lasting recovery, which means eliminating alcohol forever.

Can An Alcoholic Ever Drink In Moderation?

It should be worth remembering that not everyone who abuses alcohol has an addiction problem. Many people are quite capable of controlling their intake even though they appear to drink too much.

Again, this depends on each individual as to how they can cope and respond to the substance, even with prolonged use. Some people can vigorously control cravings, some can cut back or stop without showing any resistance and others may limit themselves and drink in moderation.

That said, for most recovering addicts, it would seem unfit to consider any form of alcohol consumption; even a small beer or small glass of wine could be enough to re-trigger the cycle, making all efforts to quit a waste of time and all in vain. 

Before contemplating having a small drink, you should consult with your doctor or healthcare provider, who can assess your vulnerability and what the risks of relapse are and give you further advice.

For a small minority, drinking in moderation can work, but for the large majority of recovering addicts, the only way forward is abstinence.

Where To Get Help For Alcohol Abuse

Anyone who may be wondering if their alcohol consumption is excessive or is concerned about not having control over their drinking habit should first seek professional help.

It may be that you only need counseling and can re-manage a mild case of alcohol abuse, or you may need an in-depth treatment program to help you with a severe case.

The first step is getting help to treat and address the seriousness of the addiction, and by taking that giant leap, you are closer to finding peace and on your journey to a more rewarding life.

Resilient Recovery can help with your recovery and make your transition to a healthier life seamless with a long-lasting outcome. Why don’t you call us today to find out more about how we can help?

Our friendly staff will gladly answer any questions or concerns you may have and can provide the essential information you need on our medically supported detox and alcohol addiction treatment programs.

We can’t promise that a recovering alcoholic will ever drink again, but we can promise our full support and dedication for anyone wanting a better life without alcohol. However, it is important to remember that not everyone who abuses alcohol has an addiction.

Although some people may drink too much, they might be able to control their cravings, cut back, and drink in moderation.