Can alcoholics drink casually?

After being sober for a while, it can be tempting to wonder if you’ll be able to return to drinking casually. You may find yourself thinking that you’re in more control and that the odd drink now and again won’t do any harm. So what’s the truth? Can alcoholics go back to casual drinking?

What are the dangers of moderate drinking?

For someone in recovery from alcohol addiction, moderate or casual drinking usually isn’t a safe option. The risk of relapse is too high, and even a single drink can unravel the progress made in sobriety. 

Stopping drinking doesn’t mean that addiction goes away. It just puts it on pause. The brain stays sensitive to alcohol. Even a small amount can trigger cravings and put you at risk of relapse. This means that if you start drinking again, you can quickly return to where you were before. 

What’s more, recovery often becomes harder after a relapse. Addiction is progressive in nature. This means that it gets worse over time. People who relapse often say that becoming sober again is harder the second time around. 

This is why at Castle Health we advocate for abstinence as the most sustainable approach to recovery.

The illusion of control in addiction

After stopping drinking for a while, it’s common for people to think that they can return to casual drinking and that things will be different this time, that they can stay in control. 

This illusion of control is caused by several things:

• Over time it’s possible to forget how bad the drinking was and to focus less on the consequences and more on the relief drinking brought.
• The many positive things that sobriety can bring, like improved sleep, better mental health and better relationships, can increase confidence, leading a person to believe they’ll be more in control this time.

This is one of the reasons long-term recovery support matters so much. It helps you to stay grounded in the reality of your drinking and what it was really like, so that you remember why you choose to stay sober.

Abstinence vs. moderation

Abstinence and moderation are two different approaches to managing alcohol addiction. Each approach has advantages and challenges. Which is most effective depends on a person’s circumstances. However, for most people, abstinence is the safer approach, as it has a lower risk of relapse.

What is abstinence?

Abstinence involves stopping drinking alcohol completely. It’s the approach recommended by 12 Step programmes.

With abstinence, the limits are clear. You decide to drink no alcohol at all, which removes the risk that you’ll misjudge how much alcohol is a safe amount and become addicted again. This helps to break the cycle of addiction.

For most people, abstinence also means making big changes to your lifestyle. For example, avoiding places and activities associated with drinking. You may also find it difficult to be in social situations where drinking is common, but with the right support, it’s possible to learn how to manage this.

What is drinking in moderation?

Moderation involves reducing the amount of alcohol you drink significantly, and following low-risk drinking guidelines.

For some people, this can make it easier to fit into your lifestyle as you can still have a drink in some social situations. It can also feel like a more accessible first step as it involves gradually changing your drinking habits.At the same time, the risk of relapse is higher than with abstinence. Drinking moderately requires a high level of self-control and self-awareness. It can also be difficult to know what limit to stick to. While some people in recovery are able to return to a moderate level of drinking, for most people, abstinence is the safest way to avoid a relapse.

“I've been nearly three years without drinking. Life has become much more enjoyable, I mean life is much more exciting, it’s much more liberating. I just feel complete freedom. I don't need to worry.”

Can alcoholics ever drink moderately?

No, most people in recovery from alcohol addiction can’t return to moderate drinking, or drinking at all. This is because the risk of relapse is high. Even a single drink can trigger cravings.

A very small number of people who have struggled with alcohol can go back to drinking without relapse. However, for these people, they often didn’t meet the full criteria for a diagnosis of alcohol addiction in the first place. For sustained recovery, abstinence is still the safest option.

Alternatives to casual drinking

Giving up casual drinking doesn’t mean you have to give up on your social life. There are many ways to have an active and enjoyable social life.

Alcohol-free drinks

There are several different types of non-alcoholic drinks. For some people in recovery, these can be a good option at parties and social gatherings.

• Non-alcoholic beers and wines: These products mimic the taste of alcoholic drinks but contain minimal or no alcohol.
• Mocktails: Alcohol-free cocktails can give you the social experience of drinking but without alcohol.

Keep in mind that non-alcoholic drinks aren’t the right choice for everyone. For some people, even a small amount of alcohol can trigger cravings and put them at risk of relapse. Others find that a drink that reminds them of alcohol (like a mocktail) causes a psychological response that can also be triggering. If you’re in a recovery fellowship, it’s worth discussing with your sponsor or support network first.

Join new social groups

Joining new social groups that don’t centre around drinking can give you a new focus and keep you away from the behaviours and places that you associate with drinking.

It could be a good opportunity to take up a new hobby that you find fulfilling, or to do some volunteering. Offering time to community service not only fills the gap left by alcohol but also brings a sense of accomplishment and purpose.

Focus on wellness activities

Physical activities, especially in group settings, like yoga or fitness classes, promote wellbeing and social engagement. They are a way for you to build a new social circle and find a focus for your time and energy.

Meditation and relaxation techniques also offer stress relief and mental clarity without relying on substances. Many people find these useful activities to support their recovery.

Seek community support

Groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or SMART Recovery provide community support and social engagement without the need for alcohol. Meeting with likeminded people who understand what you’ve been through is an important part of staying sober. Whatever your aims for recovery, if you’d like to understand more about the support available to you through Castle Health, you can chat to our team.

A note on language

For some people in recovery the words ‘alcoholic’ and ‘alcoholism’ are useful to describe their experience. Other people prefer ‘alcohol use disorder’ (AUD) or ‘alcohol addiction’. We use all these terms throughout this article to reflect diverse perspectives.