The phenomenon of craving (the desire to continue drinking after the first drink, which is not satisfied by drinking) means that I can never drink safely. Legion alcoholics in AA have demonstrated that, if one has a history of problem drinking, resuming drinking after many years of sobriety is risky, and that the phenomenon of craving will typically kick in, sooner or later. If it kicks in, whether or not the individual returns to permanent sobriety is a matter of fate or luck than a matter of choice and willpower.
To really accept and live what AA has to offer, this must be understood, accepted, and internalised as the prevailing state of affairs.
Any reservation concerning this will create double-mindedness, which, like alternating between two different destinations on the satellite navigation system, produces a chaotic life sober, and ultimately a return to drinking, to resolve the tension once and for all. The system abhors tension and cares little whether the tension is removed by surrendering to sobriety or surrendering to the razor-blade-studded waterslide of alcoholism.
Here are some good quotations from the Big Book stressing the absolute nature of alcoholism and the absolute nature of the dedication to sobriety that is required:
... the phenomenon of craving ... has never been, by any treatment with which we are familiar, permanently eradicated. The only relief we have to suggest is entire abstinence.If we are planning to stop drinking, there must be no reservation of any kind, nor any lurking notion that someday we will be immune to alcohol.For those who are unable to drink moderately the question is how to stop altogether.Whether such a person can quit upon a nonspiritual basis depends upon the extent to which he has already lost the power to choose whether he will drink or not. ... There was a tremendous urge to cease forever.If you have decided you want what we have and are willing to go to any length to get it—then you are ready to take certain steps.Then let his family or a friend ask him if he wants to quit for good and if he would go to any extreme to do so.But after his next binge, ask him if he would really like to get over drinking for good.This experience ... may convince your husband he wants to stop drinking forever.Will he take every necessary step, submit to anything to get well, to stop drinking forever?It may seem incredible that these men are to become happy, respected, and useful once more. ... Should you wish [these things] above all else, and be willing to make use of our experience, we are sure they will come.But if you really and truly want to quit drinking liquor for good and all, and sincerely feel that you must have some help, we know that we have an answer for you.I finally came to the conclusion that if I didn’t want to quit, I certainly ought to want to, and that I was willing to do anything in the world to stop drinking.