Expert: Amarnath.B - 11/3/2009

Question
I am an alcoholic with 25 years of sobriety.  I am also a casualty of the economic downturn and have not worked for awhile.  Sometimes there are tough days, when a drink or two would really be great.  Can I start having a drink or two in the evenings?

Answer
Dear Barry,

The famous AA slogan ‘once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic’ is self explanatory.  No, you can never take or even think about drinking once you are a recovering alcoholic.  Alcoholism is a progressive & fatal disease, and cannot be cured.  It can only be arrested by total abstinence.  The disease however, will continue to grow even after staying stopped.  Sir, the disease has grown for the last 25 years and imagine what will happen if you start to drink again.  You will either end up at the gates of insanity or death.  Your tolerance level would have literally come down to zero.  A small amount of alcohol is enough to go down the path of destruction and whatever you would have achieved in 25 years of sobriety may turn to dust in less than 25 days.  Believe me, I have experimented myself and faced near death.  The first drink does the damage.

Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic.  An alcoholic can never become a gentleman drinker.  I suggest you start to attend AA meetings.  AA is the only known cure for alcoholics where millions have recovered and are leading a beautiful life. The only known way of continued abstinence is the AA way which is a life long journey.

I trust I have convinced you enough not to pick up the first fatal drink.  If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to mail me.

God bless,


Amarnath