I can only tell you my personal experience. I was sober for 2 years when I bought a small bottle of vodka to deal with the stress of a new job. 10 years later I was getting such bad withdrawals from trying to quit, I had to get medical help. I won't say no one can ever moderate, but an alcoholic has about as much a chance of moderating as a pickle has of becoming a cucumber. It usually just doesn't happen and, IMO, is not worth the risk.