The drinker may follow set behaviour patterns, sometimes drinking daily. Drinking in this way has the potential for dependent alcohol use. This happens when the body becomes used to working with a level of alcohol in the bloodstream. A doctor may be able to help with medical advice and referral to other services. It is important that the communication and support is ongoing, particularly once the initial 'honeymoon' period has worn off, and the rewarding 'new' behaviours have become routine.
Some drinkers find that it takes several attempts to make changes permanent.
If the person you are concerned about does suddenly drink again, or starts to engage in patterns of drinking that you have identified as 'problematic', try not to see this as a 'failure'. This is a process that many people go through in their recovery. If an intervention is made at an early stage the person can be helped to re-establish their recovery that much more quickly. Once a person changes their drinking, many other aspects of their life will change. There may be obvious benefits to finances and health, but some changes may be less rewarding.