Question by The Curmudgeon: Can a recovered alcoholic ever have a drink again, even after 40 years of sobriety?
If someone is an alcoholic but has stopped drinking, can they safely have a drink after they’ve been clean for an extended period of time, say like 40 years? I’ve heard that a recovered alcoholic can never have another drink ever as the cravings will hit them just as bad as if they hadn’t stopped drinking.

Are there any studies out there on this subject?

Best answer:

Answer by Thirteen16
Im a recovering meth addict and I have been through a couple years worth of behavior modification and addiction classes. One thing they teach you is there is no such thing as “Recovered” addicts or alcoholics, you are always recovering. It’s hard to understand if it’s not yourself, but addicts have a different wiring system in their brain. Maybe someone who has been sober for 40 years can have a drink or two and not pick it up again. But what that does is reinforces the behavior. The addict starts conditioning them self to believe that they are ok. They have handled a couple drinks maybe four or five times and nothing has happened, even they can start getting friends and family members to start believing its ok now. It is really dangerous. It sneeks right back up if they dont have the understanding to step away and look at the choices they are making and where they are leading. It happened to me. I would say to someone who has made it through 40 years, that they owe it to them self to go 40 more. And if its outside influence causing high risk thoughts about having a drink, seek support through friends or family and be open about their struggle. Hope I helped 🙂

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