Can Someone With Alcohol Use Disorder Ever Drink Again?

You celebrated New Year’s Eve with sparkling water. There’s no wine on your counter or vodka in your freezer. In fact, you haven’t had a drink in months—or maybe even years.

At one point, quitting seemed impossible, but you did it. You left alcohol behind. Then a thought pops up: “I’ve been doing so well. What if I have just one drink?” Does one drink break your sobriety? Is it true that “once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic”? In short, can someone with alcohol use disorder ever drink again?

Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder

First, let’s clarify what we mean by “alcoholic.” While the term is a bit outdated, it refers to someone who has developed a dependence on alcohol and is dealing with alcohol use disorder (AUD).

AUD develops when alcohol alters brain chemistry. It artificially increases dopamine (the reward chemical) and GABA (a calming neurotransmitter), while reducing glutamate. Over time, misuse turns into dependence—you need alcohol to feel “normal” and experience withdrawal without it.

Unfortunately, AUD is common. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reports that nearly 30 million people aged 12 and older had AUD in the past year. That’s over 10% of that age group.

While treatment approaches vary, collective experience shows that returning to drinking after AUD is risky. Many people fall back into old patterns, often ending up worse than before.

Why Drinking Again Is Risky

Everyone is different, but in general, drinking again after recovering from AUD is not recommended. If you’re concerned about how your body will react, that’s a sign you probably shouldn’t. Here’s why:

1. History Often Repeats Itself

Alcohol is addictive—and it hasn’t become less addictive since you stopped. The brain is wired to repeat pleasurable behaviors and avoid discomfort. Drinking does both, but tolerance builds, and alcohol’s ability to provide pleasure or relief diminishes.

After heavy, long-term use, quitting can lead to withdrawal symptoms ranging from nausea and shakiness to seizures or delirium tremens. Alcohol dependence is a powerful trap that can easily re-engage, regardless of how “rational” your decision to drink again may seem.

2. Lasting Brain Changes

AUD causes chemical changes in the brain. Some people are genetically or environmentally more at risk, and that predisposition doesn’t disappear after months or years of abstinence.

Research shows that alcohol leaves “memory traces” in the brain. In studies, specific neurons linked to alcohol cues remained active long after drinking stopped. When these neurons were turned off, alcohol-seeking behavior stopped. In humans, these traces may reactivate after just one drink, raising the risk of relapse.

3. Alcohol Isn’t Healthy

Alcohol was harmful to your body before, and it still is. Key health risks include:

• Liver damage: Alcohol metabolism strains the liver, leading to progressive, often silent, damage.
• Heart strain: Alcohol can spike blood pressure and heart rate, contributing to long-term heart issues.
• Brain impact: Beyond temporary changes, alcohol can cause lasting brain damage and memory problems.
• Poor sleep: Alcohol disrupts REM sleep, leaving you tired even after a full night’s rest.
• Weight gain: Alcohol is high in empty calories and disrupts metabolism, promoting fat storage.

Even without dependency, alcohol poses significant health risks. Returning to drinking puts your well-being on the line again.

4. Questioning Why You’d Drink

It’s worth asking: Why drink at all? Does alcohol really deliver what it promises?

As Annie Grace writes in This Naked Mind, “Alcohol erases a bit of you every time you drink it… It does not relieve stress; it erases your senses and your ability to think.”

Drinking may create an illusion of relaxation or fun, but it often numbs you rather than adds value. Is laughing at things you wouldn’t find funny sober true joy? Or is it just lowered standards?

Reframing the Question

Instead of asking, “Can I drink again?” try asking:

• How did alcohol really make me feel in the past?
• Did it deliver on its promises of fun, creativity, or connection?
• Are there other activities that are more rewarding?
• What if quitting was a blessing in disguise?

Shifting your mindset from “lack” to “gain” opens up new possibilities. Explore life beyond alcohol—there’s so much to discover.

Embracing a Sober Life

As Laura McKowen notes in We Are the Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life, “We have to pick a side… take a stab at doing a thing we have never done before.”

Your past struggles with alcohol can be a turning point toward greater health and fulfillment. By facing the issue, you’ve gained an opportunity to live more fully than you might have imagined.