Is it likely an alcoholic (chemically dependent) can become a social drinker?

Yes, they can.

Once someone has been physically dependent it becomes more difficult for most people to moderate, but not impossible.

I belong to a yahoo group, 12 Step Free, for people who have had bad experiences with 12step programs. There are over 1000 members; several of the more vocal members have returned to moderate drinking. Most were sober for several years before attempting moderation. AA programs people to believe that it is impossible, and for those who believe it deep down, it becomes true.

Personally, after 5 years sober, totally turning my life around, and no longer suffering from the depression I drank to escape, I believe I could, but I don't feel any need to test it; I'm happily married to a woman who doesn't drink and there aren't any big drinkers in my social circle.

A lady I was married to has been trying to prove that she is a social drinker for ten years. Every time she takes one drink she is drunk again maybe for one day or maybe for a month, either way it always ends as a binge. The binge will continue until she ends up in trouble or someone talks her into drying out. Then she will be ok until she decides to have a social drink again. For ten years it has steadily progressed. I would like to add that we do not choose addictions, but it is our choice whether or not to feed them.

You don't hear T-totaller in the U.S. much... XD I would say the social drinker... because he is still 'drinking'... and anyone who is drinking can fall victim to alcoholism. It just takes the right genes, or circumstances.

no, that is not possible. Once the body gets the juice again it is back into the addiction. The slightest bit of alcohol even in food or choclate can do it

No, they will never be able to drink EVER!! If they tell you that just one wont hurt, dont believe them no matter how convincing they sound, they will eventually make it two, three, and more drinks, and they sneak drinks when your not around, or will go out and drink, but there is no such thing as being able to leave it alone at just one or two socially like most of us can. Their body craves it, and just one, will open that CAN of worms, if you know what I mean!

all the experience i have had with this is if you start drinking after rehab you gonna get soused and stay that way because you do not have the will to stop as long as you can get another drink. i have seen people come straight from rehab and the same day get soused and stay that way until they go back to rehab again. short answer is no they can't.

There are people that say you can control your drinking, but they have no organizational proof or scientific proof of such. There are always outliers and exceptions, but that is to anything and small in count always.

they are just kidding themselves, once a drinker always a drinker