Your comment provided me with some information to ponder because doesn’t everyone who drinks crave alcohol to a certain degree? Otherwise, there would be no motivation to using the stuff. For me, the socialization/community around alcohol use is what I missed, not necessarily the booze itself.

I think it would be more delusional for me to think that I am above the possibility of being an alcoholic or assuming I can predict the effects after a long break. By being cautiously optimistic, I’m being realistic and providing openness to accept any downfalls with compassion to move on from it.