It is the BIG question. I don't know why drinking thoughts return but long time quitters tell me it fades. Time cures all wounds sort of...never entirely but drinking thoughts get fewer and fewer as newer habits and ways to cope emerge. Alcoholism manifests itself differently in different people so it can be hard to give yourself the label as long as you want the option to drink in the future. The only way not to suffer the consequences of excess drinking is not to drink at all. If you are only quitting for now, then the quit will come to an end and the accidental excess drinking will return.