When Do People Think Abstinence or Moderation Is Better?

Simply put, those who want to learn to drink in moderation are less likely to achieve their goal, while those who set a goal of quitting drinking entirely see greater success. Sara explained to her therapist that she didn’t think she could quit drinking altogether. When out for a nice dinner or attending a get-together, she still wanted the freedom of having a drink or two. Her counselor agreed that limiting her drinking could be a good solution and they set a goal for Sara to cut back her consumption to these special occasions only. The abuse of alcohol by some people may only be temporary, whereas alcoholism is permanent. Such people may choose to cease abusing alcohol after remaining in moderation management for a while.

Psychotherapy’s important role in addiction treatment

• Many people who report resolving an alcohol or other drug (AOD) problem continue some level of substance use.
• There is a feeling of freedom that results from this commitment where one does not feel hopeless or without choices.
• Total abstinence is not the only option when changing your relationship with alcohol.
• By practicing mindfulness regularly and incorporating the three R’s of mindfulness – Regulation, Resilience, and Realization – individuals can gain greater control over their thoughts, emotions, and actions, ultimately supporting their commitment to sobriety.
• In Australia, alcohol is involved in so many aspects of everyday life that for some people, the thought of never having a drink again is so daunting that they end up making no change at all.
• If one drink still leads to several more, attempting moderation isn’t the safest choice.

It is important to note that moderation techniques work best with those concerned with their drinking habits but who are not diagnosed with an alcohol addiction. 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. Some clinicians and researchers posit that the field’s current emphasis on abstinence-based recovery may fail to engage many individuals with SUD because of perceptions that a goal of abstinence is required to engage with care. From a broader public health perspective, increasing access to effective SUD interventions and recovery support services is likely to enhance their overall impact (Glasgow et al., 2003).

Do you Need to Abstain to Find Peace?

• If you are just starting your recovery program it may take time to make a decision on a commitment to abstinence before it is really firm in your heart.
• First, let’s dive into the difference between abstinence (AKA sobriety) and moderation.
• The moderation management program permits members to see themselves as completely recuperated on the very first moment and to work with that mentality pushing ahead.
• Most facilities, like inpatient rehabs, use a zero-tolerance approach, meaning that no use of any substance is allowed.

Our program offers expert medical support, recovery coaching, and a variety of tools and resources—all delivered 100 percent virtually. Learn more about moderation with Ria Health, or find out how our program works. Learning to drink in moderation can be the goal, or it can be a way station on the way to abstinence. Once you are able to allow yourself some alcohol in controlled circumstances, you may ultimately choose to give up drinking entirely.

Hyperbaric Oxygen and Addiction

But there are concrete skills you can use to hone your assertiveness and advocate for yourself.

Why Most Treatment Programs Last Only 30 Days

Attempts at moderation may not be worth the effort or the risk when considering the consequences. If your own life has been a mess because of your addictive controlled drinking vs abstinence behavior, why chance it? These answers will vary from individual to individual, and your choice of moderation vs. abstinence is a personal one.

Gambling and Social Isolation

• This idea does not suggest that recovery is as simple as “mind-over-matter,” but Peele believes that people can set an intention to quit in line with their values without the need for inpatient or outpatient treatments.
• Different people may be drawn to trying a moderation approach for a variety of reasons.
• By taking proactive steps, such as staying mindful of triggers, using coping strategies, and seeking help when needed, individuals can stay on track with their relapse prevention plan and enjoy a fulfilling sober life.
• Choosing something truly important to you does not mean simply wanting to do something.
• Abstinence rates may be higher in samples where individuals identify as ‘in recovery’ (Kelly et al., 2018) as well as those recruited mostly through treatment-oriented organizations, as was the case in the What is Recovery Study (Subbaraman and Witbrodt, 2014).

Setting up personal guidelines and expectations—and tracking results—can make maintaining moderation easier. Another possible option is using medications such as naltrexone or disulfiram along with psychotherapy. You may be able to gradually decrease the amount you drink without needing to go for full abstinence from alcohol. Drinking is often a coping strategy subconsciously used to avoid having to deal with uncomfortable or painful issues.

Which Medications are Best for Individuals That Want to Moderate Their Drinking?

12-step programs alone do not usually address the underlying need that’s been suppressed through alcohol. Without addressing those needs, it’s like trying to cap an active volcano with a giant boulder. Sooner or later, the pressure will build up and the volcano will explode—or you will relapse. Finally, the researchers engaged in a real-world exploration of this issue during the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were asked whether they saw the likelihood of getting COVID as incompatible with socializing or as a more graded conflict.

Various studies discovered that in certain cultures there is a certain percentage of people with the ability to stop drinking and practice moderation management, but the probability of that being the case is in the extreme range. This attempt at moderation can be beneficial because for heavy drinkers, any reduction in drinking is good and an attempt at moderation is the first step to recovery. People who attempt moderation for the first time are admitting to themselves that a problem exists and they are https://ecosoberhouse.com/ displaying a willingness to make changes. 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). Then there’s moderation, which is when you give yourself the freedom to enjoy a small dose in a safe, controlled environment. The majority of people who use mind-altering substances without becoming addicted are able to maintain their sobriety by carefully moderating their intake.

Cocktails and non-alcoholic spirits are delicious and refreshing options, allowing individuals to participate in social events without compromising their sobriety. Alcoholism requires treatment, just like any other medical condition, and understanding the potential consequences of consuming alcohol can help individuals make informed decisions to maintain their sobriety. Along with his colleagues, in the presentation, Vasavada will discuss the scientifically sound pros and cons of both abstinence and drinking in moderation for individuals with AUD. Adi Jaffe, Ph.D., is a lecturer at UCLA and the CEO of IGNTD, an online company that produces podcasts and educational programs on mental health and addiction. As such, I think these results are very encouraging in terms of offering another possible solution for individuals who are looking to reduce their alcohol consumption and the problems that keep creeping up along with it.