Can a Recovering Alcoholic Drink Again? About RelapseBy Michaela

Anyone going through alcohol dependence has developed a unique and challenging relationship with alcohol. If you are working on defeating alcohol dependence, you might be wondering: “Can I Ever Drink Again?”.

It is common for those who were formerly dependent on alcohol to wonder if they will ever be able to responsibly consume alcohol after they have quit drinking or decided to stop drinking. Some people believe that “controlled drinking” is possible after going through alcohol treatment for dependence and that they can engage in moderate drinking without a serious relapse.

In short, it is not usually possible for someone that has had a dependence on alcohol to return to drinking alcohol. The temptation to abuse alcohol is too strong. That’s not to say that it’s impossible, but it usually doesn’t occur. The true route out of the alcohol trap is freedom, and this is a state where there is genuine happiness and no desire for alcohol at all. All links in mind between alcohol and benefit are gone.

In this post, we are going to cover why so many people attempt to return to alcohol use, why programs like AA don’t set individuals up for future success in resisting alcohol, and how The Alcohol Coach provides a superior education for those going through alcohol dependence.

What is Relapse & What Causes It

Relapse is a term used to describe when an individual returns to an unhealthy behavior or habit, such as alcohol dependence. It typically occurs after a period of abstinence or sobriety and can be caused by a variety of factors. 

One of the main causes of relapse is psychological and often involves the individual experiencing cravings for alcohol or having difficulty tolerating negative emotions such as stress, anxiety, or boredom. Poor coping skills can also make it difficult to resist returning to drinking, as can triggers in the environment that remind them of drinking.  

Social influences can also play a role in relapse. Seeing other people drinking can increase temptations and weaken resolve, while peer pressure from friends who drink can make it difficult to stick with sobriety. 

Other risk factors for relapse include physical health issues such as chronic pain or mental health issues like depression and anxiety; feelings of loneliness; lack of support; returning to old routines and habits; using drugs other than alcohol; and feeling overwhelmed by life’s problems. 

Ultimately, relapse prevention requires individuals to develop healthy coping skills and strategies for managing cravings, stressors, negative emotions and triggers that could lead them back down the path toward alcohol dependence. Education about warning signs is key too so people can identify when they need additional help before they return to drinking again.

The Reason Nobody Talks About…

We’ve talked about some of the reasons that people go back to drinking after overcoming dependence, but there is one reason that not as many people talk about. Going to Alcoholics Anonymous is a very common reason that people relapse.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has been the cornerstone of alcohol recovery programs for decades. While it offers an avenue to sobriety, AA’s one-size-fits-all approach has been criticized for its lack of focus on the underlying causes of dependence and its emphasis on shame, which can be a powerful deterrent but is seldom effective at helping individuals stay sober in the long run.

At its core, AA relies heavily on the 12-step program, which is based around recognizing and admitting one’s problem and surrendering control of it to a higher power. This approach does not necessarily address the root cause of dependence or provide strategies for living without resorting to substance abuse. The focus on shame can lead those in recovery to believe that they are broken or inferior because of their relationship to alcohol, thus perpetuating feelings of guilt that may ultimately contribute to relapse. 

Furthermore, many AA meetings are centered around keeping members in line with the organization’s beliefs rather than getting an individualized plan for dealing with underlying issues from multiple angles. Such rigid beliefs fail to take into account how different people experience dependence and how they may best cope with their triggers when trying to stay sober. 

In addition, most rehabilitation programs have limited staying time (often only 30 days), after which individuals are left alone with little support or guidance as they try and transition back into everyday life without falling back into old destructive patterns. Without proper follow up care and targeted treatment plans tailored to each individual’s unique needs, relapse rates remain high among those who enter Alcoholics Anonymous programs.

At the end of the day, programs like AA don’t really set up people for future success beyond the initial success of overcoming alcohol dependence.

How Relapse Affects Future Success Rates for Alcohol Abuse

Relapse to alcohol dependence is not only a bad thing for your short-term goals with alcohol, but having a relapse can badly damage your chances of future success in staying away from alcohol and eliminating your need for it.

Relapse can be a sign that you have not yet fully addressed the underlying causes of your addiction and need to seek out additional help. One relapse can make future attempts at staying sober more difficult as it reinforces fears and beliefs about one’s inability to remain abstinent.

The good news is that with proper support, individuals who relapse can still achieve lasting sobriety. To do so, they must focus on developing healthier coping skills and lifestyle changes to better manage their triggers and cravings in the future.

How The Alcohol Coach Prevents Relapse

In contrast to programs like AA, The Alcohol Coach takes a different approach to helping people overcome their independence. Rather than focus on restraint and shaming, The Alcohol Coach crafts a plan that is centered around finding the root cause of the alcohol dependence and addressing it.

Furthermore, The Alcohol Coach is focused on empowering its members and helping them regain their self-respect and self-control. It provides a more comprehensive education surrounding alcohol and allows people to maintain their dignity when going through alcohol dependence.

If you want to prevent relapse and pursue a more effective way to deal with alcohol dependence once and for all, then enroll in the free 60-minute masterclass that will show you everything you need to know about alcohol dependence and The Alcohol Coach’s approach to helping with it.