Q&A: Alcoholism to sobriety, then later social drinking?
Question by kittenl182: Alcoholism to sobriety, then later social drinking?
I understand that alcoholism is a disease/condition and that it’s defined as a person who has no control over their drinking, usually combined with depression and that abstinence is the only “cure” (for lack of a better term).
What I want to know is, is it possible for a true alcoholic to reach sobriety for a long time (and possibly cure their depression), and later be able to control their drinking such as in social settings? Are there cases of rehabilitation in such a manner?
Best answer:
Answer by Me K
NO…Too many alcoholics fall off the wagon and can’t get back on. I come from a family of alcoholism…on my dad’s side…I won’t go into this because it’s not what you asked, but let’s just say he helped DESTROY us!!!!!! I am the ONLY one who doesn’t drink and that is ONLY because of my son. I have to be the example he needs. I quit drinking 5 years and when he was young, started back occasionally…Occasionally got to be more often, until I “visioned” my son 10 years later, getting ready to go out with friends, and I said, don’t be out drinking tonight and he said, why not you do it? Then and there, I swore, I’d NEVER drink again!!!!!! Do I still crave it? YES!!!! Was I an alcoholic? I honestly think I was and if it wasn’t for my son, I would have my liver messed up and all the problems, my brothers have.
Give your answer to this question below!
July 26th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
Not in a healthy way, you can turn a cucumber into a pickle but never a pickle into a cucumber. In other words; It may be possible for a true alcoholic to occasionally have a drink without great turmoil and strife, but the nagging from within will say “well, I got away with one. Suppose I have two”….Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive, relapsing allergy of the body as well as an obsession of the mind. Probably the Person whom we discuss will go almost directly into a clinical depression and then years of therapy and medication will be for naught. Once a person with a diagnosis of mental illness combined with alcoholism their odds of relapse escalates 2.5-14% over a more common Single diagnosis alcoholic, which by the way has an 85% failure rate the first time abstinence is attempted.
And I don’t intend to be correcting recovery terminology but just to keep the slate clear, there is no cure for either. Abstinence is the best treatment medicine. One sure fire technique to keep an alcoholic non-intoxicated with alcohol is not to drink any! all else is b36
July 26th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
No not for true alcoholics.
There are programs for those with severe abuse issues that are not alcoholic to achieve drinking in moderation. But this only works for those who have not passed the threshold into alcoholism.