"Noticeable change" is open for discussion. Beginning of it: within six months to two years, ever increasing. A limitation reached on full re-adjustment (as m

"Noticeable change" is open for discussion. Beginning of it: within six months to two years, ever increasing. A limitation reached on full re-adjustment (as much emotional control as I could get back): six harrowing years without medical assistance. Not harrowing because I craved alcohol, but due to unprecedented anxiety that came around year two or three. Drinking term: 8 binge years (late high school through the end of college). 10 casual every-other weekend years after that. Nothing really begins to change until stone sober. It's impossible to achieve it, in my experience, if deferring to other vices with the exception of caffeine. No tobacco, marijuana, etc. They will lead to felt cognitive imbalances that will unavoidably be translated into cravings. A good gauge is being able to go six months, or more, without drinking and not care / not miss it and feel the urge. Once you can do that, you're on your way. One has to gauge their true addiction level to understand if they can handle very occasional alcohol after that. If there's any craving whatsoever, I'd rate a person too addicted to partake in any and maintain control over the frequency. If there is zero craving (again, use the six months or longer gauge), then it may be possible for, say, quarterly (or less) yet controlled outings with a non-sober friend. In other words, a couple of drinks. Though, this doesn't apply to fall-down alcoholics. Even if they supposedly never feel the urge, they need to treat their sobriety like a precious jewel never to be messed with. It depends on what one's goal is. If it is addiction management, then don't even think about alcohol and stay on the program for life. If it is to regain emotional function, then it may be a little different. But the journey is still very long.