Alcohol Moderation Management: Steps To Control Drinking

Through the use of self-help tools, meetings, and online resources, MM encourages individuals to take responsibility for their behavior and develop healthier drinking habits. Moderation, in the context of addiction recovery, is an approach where you aim to establish a healthier relationship with the addictive substance or behavior, rather than eliminating it entirely. This method acknowledges that for some individuals, complete abstinence may not be a realistic or necessary solution.

So what does this mean for drinkers?

We believe in the power of personalised therapy, where our experts tailor a recovery plan suited to your needs and circumstances. Quitting alcohol for good is a life-changing decision with countless benefits that will make you wonder why you didn’t quit sooner. Your liver will start to recover and function better, your skin can become clearer, and your risk of serious diseases such as heart disease and certain types of cancer can significantly decrease.

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Moderation often requires that you take anti-craving medication for an indefinite period of time. Medication makes it easier to put the brakes on after a drink or two, and sticking to moderation is challenging without it. If you want to resolve problem drinking without medication, abstinence may be a better choice for you. When people aiming for abstinence make a mistake, they may feel like quitting is impossible and give up entirely.

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A sober lifestyle is something to be proud of, and the team at Monument is here to provide answers and encouragement throughout your journey. A measure of number of psychiatric diagnoses, including alcohol use other substance use disorders, was calculated by summing the total number of affirmative responses. Data were collected by the survey company GfK, using a probability sampling approach. A representative subset of 39,809 individuals from the GfK KnowledgePanel were sent the screening question via email, to which 25,229 responded (63.4%). This response rate is similar to other nationally representative surveys (Grant et al., 2015, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, 2016, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013).

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Support groups, such as 12-step programs or Moderation Management, can also play a crucial role in your recovery journey. These groups offer a safe space for you to share your experiences, learn from others, and stay accountable to your goals. By combining the expertise and support of these various resources, you can create a comprehensive and personalized treatment plan that addresses your unique needs and challenges. I’m a big supporter of the idea that improvements in quality of life, in addition to or instead of measures of abstinence, need to be incorporated broadly into addiction treatment research.

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• Following that logic, it makes a lot of sense to me to include the idea of moderation as another option in the addiction treatment arsenal.
• Family involvement plays an important role too since their understanding and encouragement can fuel your determination even more on challenging days.
• While working with a clinician is the best way to determine what goals and treatment approach is appropriate for you and your medical history, here are some useful pointers to consider when reflecting on the question of abstinence vs. drinking in moderation.
• In the end, the treatment that a patient is willing to participate in is the best place to start.
• We defined age of initiation of regular substance use as the age at which participants started regularly using any substance.
• This moderation management plan is designed so that the identity of any given person remains a secret, and participation in the scheme is not a requirement to continue for the rest of one’s life.

Abstinence-based models of addiction recovery dominated the substance use disorder (SUD) treatment landscape for most of the 20th Century and continue to dominate today (SAMHSA, 2013). “There are some individuals with problematic levels of drinking who are able to completely quit without the aid of treatment or a 12-step program. And, there are some who are able to learn how to manage a healthy, controlled, stable pattern of drinking, i.e. no more than a few units a week” said Linde. Studies have shown that in some cultures there are a small percentage of people who can return to moderate drinking. Attempts at moderation may not be worth the effort or the risk when considering the consequences.

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Following that logic, it makes a lot of sense to me to include the idea of moderation as another option in the addiction treatment arsenal. This is especially true in light of the fact that moderate drinking might be good for health and intervention https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/5-ways-to-destress-after-work/ research shows us that changing behavior is possible. We encourage our members to be aware when drinking, using drugs or feeling upset with themselves. Knowing what happened can prove helpful later in the moderation management program.

Sex was included only in the self-esteem and quality of life/functioning models, and primary substance used was included only in the psychological distress model. While moderation may be more achievable for those with a mild or moderate diagnosis than those with severe alcohol use disorder, it’s also a great starting point for those exploring making a change. With the support of an expert Care Team, many people begin their journey by gradually reducing their weekly alcohol consumption.The idea of moderation and mindful drinking is also a great way for people who are asking themselves “should I stop drinking? Proactively cutting back on drinking can start to illuminate how drinking less can give you more, and create the mental clarity to identify your goals and values. There are no requirements for changing your relationship with alcohol and seeking treatment. Your journey to recovery may involve a combination of abstinence and moderation techniques or require a change in strategy over time.

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In the end, the treatment that a patient is willing to participate in is the best place to start. By offering a range of recovery options, patients can take control of their recovery process and tailor their treatment to their unique needs. Ultimately, the choice controlled drinking vs abstinence between abstinence and moderation depends on the individual’s needs and preferences. An approach that focuses on the patient’s needs, wants and desires helps to ensure that the chosen path resonates with the patient’s values and is the most likely to succeed.