I had various periods of abstinence from alcohol -- I used the "marijuana maintenance" plan for a year, got pregnant with my son (and stopped smoking pot), carried almost ten months, nursed for almost a year, so about three years off booze. The day I picked back up, I drank alcoholically. With my daughter, I was abstinent for about eighteen months. Same thing. I swore off booze (but kept smoking pot and doing cocaine) for almost six years, and again, picked back up and was off to the proverbial races.
I no longer try to convince myself that I can be a social drinker.
Peace & Love,
Sugah