I know a woman that has been an alcoholic for several years...?

Question

Now she has been sober for a little more than one year, dare I trust she will not start drinkin again?

Answer 1

You can have faith that she won't drink again, but there is ALWAYS the risk that an alcoholic (or any addict for that matter) to start up old behaviors again. A year is a pretty good solid mark, but it certainly is not the end of the recovery. Some former alcoholics believe that there is never an end or safe point, etc. This could be a good or bad way of thinking for some.

Anything could trigger a relapse. My uncle was an addict (drinking/drugs) and cleaned up for awhile. I don't know for how long, but he recently started using again. So, please be careful -- but also hopeful -- that a change has been made.

Answer 2

Let me ask your first, what are your expectations of her and what happens if she does not meet them? This is something that you could explore or speak to a counselor about to better your relationship with this woman. The answer to your question, it would be difficult to trust anyone to not do something ever again. An alcoholic will always be an alcoholic and the chance is there. There is no way of telling if she will drink again. If she has been sober for a year and is getting treatment or attending support groups of some kind, she has a better chance of remaining sober. You can attend Alanon. It is for friends or relatives of those with drinking problems.

Answer 3

You can hope and pray that she doesn't relapse! There are no guarantees and no cures for alcoholism. The only way an alcoholic won't relapse is if they don't pick up the first drink. So you live one day at a time.

You don't say how close you are to this person, but if you are interested you can go to Al-Anon to gain the insight and support you need to deal effectively with the impact of living with or caring about someone with this disease.

Answer 4

You can trust alright, but keep your fingers crossed too. There are too many cases of relapse.