Some people may have no trouble drinking in moderation socially but tend to often drink alone. For some, it may be hard to have only a single drink, regardless of the situation. All these situations are harmful but with varying degrees of consequences. You don’t have to stay sober forever, but you should make decisions that are beneficial to your health and safety.
Even one drink, the theory goes, and an alcoholic will spiral into a dangerous pattern of excessive alcohol consumption. At Genesis Recovery, we are here to answer all your questions regarding alcohol use disorder, the process of recovery, and the slip-ups that come along with it. Having a relapse prevention plan in place gives you the tools to manage these triggers without drinking. Abstinence is a clear and absolute boundary, no more ambiguity and no more negotiating with the temptation of alcohol. It’s a simple goal that simplifies the recovery process so you can focus on rebuilding your life without the complications of drinking.
The Nature of Addiction
In many cases, alcohol cravings or stress can tempt you into drinking again, even when staying sober is the better option. While the task of staying sober forever may seem daunting, remember that you only have to take it one day at a time. Over time, and with professional help, you’ll adjust to this new lifestyle and come to enjoy all the benefits that sobriety provides.
Tips to Help You Stay Sober
Abstinence may be a challenge, but in some cases, it is safer than the pursuit of occasional social drinking. In other words, the extent of a person’s addiction can directly impact whether an alcoholic can ever drink again. Mild to moderate alcoholics can an alcoholic ever drink again might have a chance to drink socially and not relapse, but the risk is undeniable.
Can an Alcoholic Ever Drink Again? The Risks and Realities of Controlled Drinking
- ” is so complex, we must first understand the nature of addiction.
- 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.
- For those who abuse alcohol, especially recovering alcoholics, the risks are even greater, so the choice to not drink at all is not just a matter of willpower but of protecting your future.
It is much greater than yourself, which also means it’s not merely a matter of willpower. If you’re a recovered alcoholic and start drinking again, it’s likely you won’t be able to stick to healthy moderation. At the core of this debate is the acknowledgment that recovery from alcoholism requires a highly individualized approach. The recovering person may talk themselves into drinking again by creating a strategy for achieving moderation.
Relapse and Recovery
Relapse often brings heightened anxiety, depression, and significant mood swings, along with impaired judgment and social skills. Furthermore, if abstinence has led to a reduction in alcohol tolerance, attempting to drink at previous levels can carry an increased risk of overdose. The physical consequences of breaking sobriety can be extensive, affecting multiple organ systems.
Assessing the Choice to Attempt Drinking After Getting Sober
Ultimately, clinicians like Stafford and Humphreys said they hope people who decide to drink alcohol do it consciously, armed with knowledge about its risks. While ALDH2 is the most common inherited variation to affect how well someone can handle alcohol — and its’ long-term risks — it is not the only factor. Some people are already at higher risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease because of their genetics or other risky behaviors like tobacco use. The risk of mixing these two things will always be present in those with dual mental health and alcohol misuse issues. An alcoholic may ignore the harsh realities of their life on alcohol. However it starts, alcoholism ends in a dark spiral, leaving a trail of misery and broken relationships behind it.
Having overcome it, a person with addiction is unable to listen to the arguments of reason. 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. Due to the commitment and challenges a patient has to endure, the majority only focus on long-lasting recovery, which means eliminating alcohol forever. Psychological effects can appear in the form of nervousness, depression, anxiety, confusion, and, in severe cases, hallucinations.
- Most recovery models, including the 12-step recovery model (Alcoholics Anonymous, or AA), believe that complete abstinence is the only way to achieve sobriety.
- Although you can recover, you will always have to manage your alcohol use patterns.
- And you’re at greater risk when you try to quit drinking on your own.
- They also could be an attractive option for someone who has symptoms of AUD but is not likely to seek help through abstinence-based programs.
- If there is a relapse, you need to immediately seek help from specialists.
- Many people are quite capable of controlling their intake even though they appear to drink too much.
Some individuals may choose to remain abstinent for life, while others may need to explore their relationship with alcohol through therapy and other support services. However, for those with severe AUD, trying to drink again can derail recovery and lead to a cycle of relapse and recovery that is difficult to break. The first step in any recovery journey is recognizing that there is a problem with alcohol abuse and deciding to stop drinking. This can be one of the most challenging steps, as denial is a common trait among those struggling with alcohol dependence. Denial can manifest as minimizing the extent of their alcohol consumption, blaming external circumstances, or outright refusing to acknowledge the problem.
’ We’ll also discuss the background of alcohol use disorder, why staying sober is important, the differences between abstinence vs. moderate drinking, and the consequences of drinking during recovery. Like a compass, long-term recovery strategies guide recovering alcoholics along the path to long term sobriety. These strategies are the map for navigating life without drinking.