Never, the addiction doesn't magically go away. It's a sensory thing and will wake up the beast in the back of their minds.

quote:

Originally posted by shovelhead:
In my opinion, same as drug addiction. One drink, one snort, on the slippery slope again.

Or "one smoke." It was that "one smoke" that did me in twice.

I'm sure there are alcoholics that can handle it. Hell, had a friend that could turn cigarette smoking on-and-off at will. He'd smoke for a while--weeks or months, then just stop--maybe for years. It was no problem for him.

I am a potential alcoholic. Got pretty much all the genetic/personality/psychological markers for it. I've even headed in that direction a couple times. Stopped myself short. Knowing the danger and not wanting to go there I've always kept a close eye on myself.

But, for the vast majority of people, alcoholism is like cigarette smoking is for me. I cannot smoke that "one cigarette" and know it. So I don't.

quote:

Originally posted by Yellow Jacket:
I'm aware that this was at a wedding and I'm not trying to be critical.

Weddings would indeed be tricky.

Went to a dry wedding reception, once. But that was the entire family's way, so it was not an issue. But for most families and their friends that would present a problem.

But the "pizza goodbye for immediate family" thing would've been a time to make certain there was simply no alcohol present.

quote:

Originally posted by SpinZone:
This alcoholic is already drinking again.

I suspect SZ is correct

Correct answer is NEVER. The addiction is always there. I have been sober for 19yrs. and I know that just one drink will lead me back to where I was and that is a place I do not ever want to go to again.

quote:

Originally posted by SpinZone:
The correct answer is never.
This alcoholic is already drinking again. They were just attempting to gain acceptance from the rest of the family about their drinking again.
They are already going down the relapse path and the only option for your family is to refuse to travel that path with them.

^^THIS^^ He's seen this movie before but wants to see if the ending can change this time. It won't.

I have a friend that is an alcoholic and went to a dinner party at a mutual friends house.
We were drinking wine and it didn't even dawn on me that this was the absolute WORST scenario for us to put a problem drinker in.
I told him after the fact:
1, I'm sorry for being so dense
2, I will never knowingly have a drink in his presence

I'm sure I've got another drunk left in me

another recovery...not so much.

I gave booze up completely in Feb 1998. Seldom think about it and never crave it but there's no way in hell I'd take a drink.

Maybe my case is unique (I doubt it is.) So my answer based on my experience is: it depends.

As you describe it, I'd say it's too soon for your sibling to be having a drink.

I was forced to go to Alcoholics Anonymous by my Chief. I only went once. I had to take some kind of pill. I used to not eat so that I wouldn't have any food in my stomach to slow down the absorption of alcohol. I had the ability to titrate myself to maximize my alcohol intake without passing out while I was drinking (one ounce of hard liquor every 15 minutes), any less I start losing my buzz, any more and I pass out. I had a "diary" of the places where I passed out after I was done drinking. I got the DTs 15 minutes before last call to let me know I had to order and have my drinks lined up.

I stopped going to bars where I drank because I wanted to stop smoking. I don't know how long it was before I had my first drink again. But it wasn't because of the lip-smacking craving for alcohol that I had, I just wanted an alcoholic drink. And it was a long time, maybe 10 or 15 years. Now, I'm into drinking for the taste so I'm not drinking for the buzz.

quote:

Originally posted by Yellow Jacket:
Another thing that can be considered besides not being an enabler is to not serve alcohol at family functions when the alcoholic is going to be present. Why put him/her in a position where everyone else is drinking?

I'm aware that this was at a wedding and I'm not trying to be critical.

I know you aren’t, but what you’re suggesting is that we withhold alcohol to 100+ people who are expecting to at the very least toast the bride and groom with champagne, in order to accommodate 1 individual. That goes against my grain.

The private pizza party might’ve been run differently, though. We didn’t need to drink. We’ve just been told often enough in the past that it’s no problem, so it wasn’t second guessed.

I appreciate all of your comments and thoughts. I agree with the poster that says they are simply looking for acceptance for their drinking again. We will have to consider whether we all need to stop drinking or if she needs to be insulated from family gatherings where there is alcohol.

When can a recovering alcoholic have another drink? When it is a Dr Pepper.

quote:

When can a recovering alcoholic have another drink?

When they want to be a non-recovering Drunk.

Either the insane, overwhelming desire has been removed or it has not. Many a recovering drunk has tended bar for years and never again drank alcohol. It's a mistake to think you can remove alcohol from a alcoholics reach or sight. If they want to drink they will, it's just that simple. A drunks denial system is deep and wide when they want to use. Put the plug in the jug in 88