The key to the above saying is to remind us that if we pick up the first one, we will eventually get the consequences we had and more. Our disease cannot be cured. It is with us. It is chronic which means that it cannot go away. However, the good news is that it can be arrested depending upon our working a daily recovery program. We will always be powerless over alcohol. Even if other drugs are our drug of choice, alcohol is a drug and we cannot afford to pick up the first drink.
TODO: Don't abandon the program.