People vary. Two examples: I saw one reader (patient) yesterday here in London (I am in the UK for a month) - he had been a VERY heavy drinker with a great constitution (did not slur speech etc - miss a day of work) though he averaged 150 units per week! He spend $65K - TWICE - going to fancy rehab in the US. Same result; relapse to heavy drinking after three months - in his case it creapt up on him within a few weeks and he was back to square one. Others take one drink after years of abstinence and are right back to serious heavy drinking almost immediately. This man, 40, is down to under 50 units per week in three months. He is diligent about taking his medication and sees success is on the cards. He will now begin selective extinction - weekend wash-outs with no drinking and no naltrexone but with positive desired opioid behaviours - exercise, good food, sex... On the other hand there is the heart-warming case of Ellla - who drank-to-blackout almost daily - described a glass of whiskey as 'sweet nectar' .... now she can take it or leave it.... five months later. I met her in the US and saw the results myself... You can hear her on http://www.thecureforalcoholism.com - mp3 file bottom of the web page. Very brave of her come forward and tell her story to the media. Now she will not only live but make a life for herself. She is going to law school next year and is working for a top law firm right now. Wonderful story I hope you share this with others. Again - go to http://www.thecureforalcoholism.com - scroll to Ella Glazer mp3 - click download.