Is It Safe to Drink Again After Attending AA and Inpatient Treatment?

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For most recovering alcoholics, it is not safe to start drinking again after attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and inpatient treatment. Most treatment programs will emphasize this as well as the benefits of abstinence. Call 800-948-8417 Sponsored to find rehab centers that will cater to your needs and allow you to recover in a safe, controlled environment.

AA’s Philosophies on Abstinence

One of the most important principles of the AA program is acceptance, which “includes the realization that drug addiction is a chronic, progressive disease over which one has no control, that willpower alone is insufficient to overcome the problem, and that abstinence is the only alternative.”

These programs focus so strongly on abstinence as the best option for long-term recovery. If you’re in an environment where alcohol is readily available, and you are aware that you have difficulty controlling your use of it, it’s usually safer to avoid it altogether.

The Importance of Abstinence

Abstinence is an important part of AA, but even more so, it is an important part of alcoholism recovery in general. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) considers abstinence to be a “healthy lifestyle goal.” Individuals who are in AA, professional treatment, or both can help each other obtain and maintain abstinence as they recover.

Once someone leaves treatment, though, abstinence is something that should be continued, as addiction of any kind is not cured in treatment but is rather managed over a person’s lifetime.

Abstinence is much safer than controlled use for those who have struggled with control in the past, and it also takes the element of the unknown away. If a person pledges to stay abstinent to be safer and to stay on the path of their recovery, they won’t have to concern themselves with trying to control something that’s very difficult for them to control. Instead, making this decision can help protect you during treatment and after your rehab program has ended.

Can I Drink Again After AA and Inpatient Therapy?

It isn’t recommended to do so because of the many dangerous outcomes you may be inviting. While you may feel that you are in control enough to drink again, it is important to discuss this with your doctor, support group, and loved ones first. Chances are, especially right as you are leaving treatment, they will suggest that you stay abstinent, at least until you have become more stable. Also, if you decide to keep attending AA after your treatment program has ended, the other members will likely suggest that you should continue your abstinence based on the program’s principles.

Alcohol Abstinence: Can I Be in AA and Still Drink?

When people with alcoholism enter a recovery program, it’s common for them to ask if they will have to completely abstain from drinking. If you’re trying to quit drinking or cut back on alcohol use, you may be wondering if programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) require total alcohol abstinence. The answer is more complicated than just yes or no. Like many aspects of alcohol addiction treatment, the best approach for you is dependent on factors unique to your circumstances. About Alcoholics Anonymous First, let’s look at what AA entails and whether it’s right for you. While AA is typically…

Do You Need Alcoholism Treatment Now?

Call 800-948-8417 Sponsored to find safe treatment centers that will take your insurance and provide you with the options you need. You can also attend AA meetings while in inpatient care. Call now.