Long-timers in sobriety can generally agree that it's far easier to stay sober than it is to get sober in the first place. Alcoholics can find any reason, no matter how small, to cave in to the temptation of liquid relief:

• I got a new job, squeeze, home, car, (insert other good thing here)!
• I lost my job, squeeze, home, car, (insert other bad thing here)!
• It's rainy, sunny, foggy, etc.
• It's my birthday, anniversary, a holiday, (insert other occasion here)!
• Today is (insert day of the week here).

Most obvious rationalizations for taking that first drink fall under one of the following categories:

• Sex
• Status (popularity, peer standing)
• Security (emotional, physical, financial, etc.)

Often most insidious foes to maintaining sobriety are the ones which are inherently unavoidable at times. The catch phrase here is "H.A.L.T.", which stands for the common conditions of being Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and/or Tired.

Years of experience in sobriety has shown to many alcoholics that controlled drinking should not be considered a viable option. To mistakenly believe otherwise has lead many in the grips of this disease to relapse and death.