Fact Or Fiction: Alcohol Is Okay In Moderation

Especially for those exiting alcohol treatment, the question is commonly asked: is it okay to drink after leaving rehab?

Some say that refraining from alcohol completely is the only way to maintain sobriety post-rehab, while others proclaim that a little moderate alcohol consumption is possible.

Treatment and recovery is wholly an individual journey, but the risk factors and potential dangers must be considered. Incorporating alcohol back into your life after having previously struggled with alcohol dependency is an idea with bad news written all over it.

Should Alcoholics Resume “Moderate” Alcohol Use?

Majority of experts agree that alcoholics should not including drinking alcohol in their new routine or lifestyle after leaving treatment. There are obvious reasons for this, some of which are as follows:

1. The risk of losing your foothold on sobriety far outweighs any possible and temporary pleasures from drinking.
2. Alcoholism is often rooted in an inability to act moderately. Best not to test oneself straight out of rehab.
3. Your family and friends trust you to uphold your new standards of living alcohol-free. Don’t let them down.
4. Most importantly, giving in to urges for alcohol will likely cause you to feel regret and shame. If you are unable to function without social drinking, talk to your alcohol counselor and work out a stronger exit strategy for your new life.

Binge Drinking vs. Moderate Consumption

Binge drinking is considered heavy alcohol consumption where usually 5 (or more) alcoholic drinks in a short time period. Binge drinking usually results in severe drunkenness, impaired judgment and bad choices.

Moderate alcohol consumption is recognized as a glass of wine over dinner, or 1-2 beers. This is generally considered acceptable if done so responsibly, as a small amount of alcohol can be enjoyable if consumed over a larger period of time. (Thus avoiding severe drunkenness and a bad hangover the next day.)

The issue in question is whether or not alcoholics should allow themselves to drink moderately upon completion of alcohol treatment. 

Because recovery from alcoholism is such an individual feat, it is hard to say whether “safe” and moderate drinking amongst former alcoholics is fact or fiction. Alcohol is okay in moderation for those who have not previously struggled with a dependency problem, but it is simply too risky for those fighting to rebuild a life free of substance abuse.

Certainly, moderate drinking and binge drinking are two different activities. For an alcoholic, however, it may be very difficult to stop once a few drinks impair his/her judgment. In other words, “moderate consumption” may not be possible for a former alcoholic until several years down the road. This is a personal time frame, and you should never pressure someone into testing their limits.

Finding Alternatives To Alcohol

Alcoholism is generally a long-term condition, developed over months and years. This means that deeply rooted habits, patterns and dependencies can be especially hard to break due to their long history of being present.

An important part of any alcoholic’s journey to achieving and maintaining sobriety is the establishment of new, positive hobbies and activities that don’t include alcohol consumption. For example:

• Art: writing, playing an instrument, drawing, painting, pottery, etc.
• Hiking 
• Biking
• Yoga
• Exercising (lifting weights, running, kickboxing, etc.)
• Reading
• Traveling
• Learning a new trade (such as carpentry or welding)
• Spending time with family and friends

The successful and lasting sobriety of a former alcoholic depends largely on how much time he/she invests in establishing a new life full of enjoyable and positive activities, surrounded by loving and supportive people.