I don't think this is a phenomenon of the first few days or weeks of sobriety. My experience after many bouts of sobriety is that, at least in my case, that all it takes is one drink to kick the alcoholic in my head back to life.
Trouble is I, and think most alcoholics know this, and the struggle is always maintaining total abstinence, our brains it appears just aren't wired like normal people to drink in moderation.