Background: Understanding challenges in alcohol consumption is crucial when considering recovery approaches beyond abstinence. This study investigates the narratives that people with former alcohol or other drug (AOD) problems use to describe their alcohol use during recovery, focusing on abstinence, relapse, craving, problematic and unproblematic consumption.

Methods: 33 individuals were interviewed 10 years after completed psychosocial treatment for AOD problems in Sweden. They were grouped based on their perspectives on alcohol consumption and analyzed thematically.

Results: Participants who described alcohol use as a relapse used the terminology prevalent in treatment, particularly 12-step programs. Participants not defining alcohol consumption as a relapse described varying levels of consumption, from occasional use to extensive consumption that was understood as potentially problematic. In the latter group, narratives about alcohol use and consequence management appeared to be anchored in the participants’ self-perception and self-efficacy.

Conclusions: Viewing recovery as a dynamic process challenges traditional relapse definitions. Alcohol problems exist on a continuum, making self-efficacy crucial. Concepts like relapse can both support and hinder recovery. Long-term and recurrent support interventions are recommended throughout the recovery process.