The thing is, for me, alcoholic drinks just have no other purpose than getting messed up. That may be the silver lining of my past behavior -I didn't start out drinking for the flavor, only to end up slipping into a problem. Alcohol was always a tool for me to change how I felt. Now, if I could find something that was tasty also, well great.
With this set-up, I'm not likely to relapse thinking I'll "just have a few". -Who wants a few anyway?! -Ha! That's just not how I roll. No use trying that.
As far as jumping right back in, I estimate I would be drinking at my old levels within a week of picking up. Yuck.