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

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