Well according to Honestman, C J 1980 and others on here, they can go back to when your born (if with drink in hand), but say if a doc has stated you're dependent at anytime, then you're now dependent for the rest of your life, seems rather unfair no?
Paulisme
I wouldn't necessarily use the term 'lifetime' - from the way I understand it once you first get reinstated with your driving licence after a ban they keep you on their 'alcohol dependency' books for 6 years.
This means technically you are under the DVLA's watchful eyes. It's simply a case of ensuring you pass all requested HRO medicals and definitely do not come to the attention of your GP either once you are back on the road, with anything linked to alcohol (such as an injury caused by a drunken fall).
I kind of look at the 6 years as a probationary period. Once you are clear of this period, the DVLA treat you as any other competent driver who has never been banned.
If you are unfortunate enough to suffer any alcohol problems years later, the DVLA will simply go down a potential revocation route. The DVLA can do this with any UK driver if it comes to their attention the driver in question is suffering alcohol problems.
The problem we have, as convicted drink drivers is that if worst case scenario - in 2037 we suffer a bereavement and start drinking, then have to see a doctor - BANG!!! - the DVLA has historic information about us from 2019/20 when we were in their HRO system, so bye bye driving licence again under revocation procedures.
I hope that makes sense?
My parting views are this - there is nothing to stop any of us on here from drinking alcohol again. If you can enjoy alcohol moderately and safely without any future problems then fine.
If however, you are unfortunate to have a 'blip' and you do need medical attention (again like I said, it could be an injury caused by a drunken fall), your driving licence will go quicker than Kelly Holmes, because GPs and other medical professionals are now duty bound to notify the DVLA.
There is an old saying ''If it isn't written down or documented - it hasn't happened'' - if you catch my drift. It's simply a case of NEVER coming to the attention of the DVLA with your name and alcohol in the same sentence.
CJ