Yes

by James Lynne

Created on: September 21, 2010   Last Updated: October 13, 2010

Taking the adage that it is "better to be safe than sorry" many alcoholics make the choice not to drink again after realizing they have a problem.  That does not automatically mean they cannot ever drink again socially . Treatment for alcoholism involves educating the patient about the disorder as well as educating him about his own emotional makeup.  People with sufficient cognition to understand the disorder, who also possess insight into their own thinking, feeling, and behaving can learn to manage social drinking without relapsing. 

Alcoholism, labeled a disease by the American Medical Association, is an addictive disorder that is both treatable and manageable. Whether or not an alcoholic "can" drink socially without relapsing into uncontrollable drinking following treatment varies according to the individual. Some alcoholics can return to social drinking following treatment.  Others would be better off not doing so.

Alcoholism, like any addiction, is a disease of both neurological and emotional etiology. Successful treatment involves educating the patient in both areas.  Neurological studies performed on the brains of addicts (including alcoholics) indicate there is strong evidence of neurological predisposition to addiction.  However, the emotional aspect of alcoholism or any addiction also plays into the successful treatment of the disorder.  Addiction is also a disorder of feelings.  Addicts discover at some point that drinking, or any compulsive behavior, will change negative feelings, even if only momentarily.  This compulsive need to change feelings drives the disorder.  By learning to understand one's feelings, as well as the payoffs, both negative and positive, associated with drinking, alcoholics can utilize self-control that allows them once again to drink socially without losing control. 

The Twelve Step Program of Alcoholics Anonymous provides a positive recovery option for millions of alcoholics.  It is not treatment in the pure sense of the word, but it does manage the disorder by substituting a new and more positive compulsive behavior to replace drinking.  For many The Twelve Step Program becomes a way of managing negative feelings associated with why they drink in the first place.  For this reason it works.  It also promotes abstinence from drinking as a safe-guard against relapse.  Abstinence from drinking is a necessity for many, but not for all.

In the Twelve Step Program, participants receive emotional support from peers as well as from a sponsor who has worked through his own emotional issues.  The process of working the steps, owning one's feelings, seeking support from others, and ultimately accepting responsibility for one's behavior becomes a "process" that replaces drinking as a vehicle for feeling better about life.  It is not a cure, but it is a positive process enabling alcoholics to recover their lives in the aftermath of negative consequences. 

Many people suffering from alcoholism are wired in such a way they must trade compulsive drinking for compulsive treatment.  This is a positive way of managing their feelings.  This is why AA works for them.  Those who recognize this in themselves would be well advised not to begin drinking again, but relapse is also part of recovery.  It is typical for recovering alcoholics to relapse at some point, to determine whether they can manage the disorder through conscious choice.  Those who discover this answer the hard way would do well to maintain sobriety and work the Twelve Steps continuously, but this is not the case for all recovering alcoholics.

Some alcoholics, following treatment or after having experienced significant negative consequences, especially those with high insight and high cognition are capable of understanding their biology and their behaviors well enough to drink socially without additional negative consequences.  Participation in a treatment process that educates the patient regarding his behaviors, choices, and consequences enables many patients to be in control of even social drinking, without being powerless over the disease. 

Even though alcoholism is regarded as a disease, it is also a behavior.  As such, it can be controlled by choice, by some.  The problem is that for many, if not most of us, the ability to choose wisely is strongly influenced by our moods, our emotions, and by our experiences.  As a result, it only takes one bad day for the recovering alcoholic to lose himself in a binge. 

Even though many alcoholics can return to social drinking, alcohol suppresses one's ability to determine when to stop.  The insightful and cogent individual who knows his limit, and has the awareness to stop at that point, can return to social drinking.  Others would be well advised to stick with the "abstinence only" admonition of the AA Twelve Step Program.  There is no "one size fits all" rule regarding returning to drinking or not for recovering alcoholics.

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