Originally Posted by
NYCDoglvr 
A real alcoholic can't limit their intake. We say we're powerless over alcohol (step one). That means once I pick up a drink I have no control over what happens ... if I have one or 50, go into a blackout, get into a car and kill someone. Non alcoholics can decide they're going to have one or two drinks and have no problem with stopping. Not alcoholics. (I'm a alcoholic in my 20th year of recovery, that's how I know this stuff)
Also, alcoholism is a progressive disease ... this isn't going to get better.
Love his excuse
Interesting. If I may elaborate a bit from a scientific/medical viewpoint, rather than the 12 step doctrine, which incidentally I respect greatly.
Theoretically, if a persons alcoholism is secondary to unresolved emotional, psychological issues, and if those issues are resolved (usually via therapy) it may be possible to drink in moderation like a normal social drinker. Of course even some of those may have already developed the physiologic addiction also of which the re-introduction of alcohol could potentially set off again.