However, when it comes to drinking in moderation vs. abstinence, there’s a heated debate that might not have a definitive answer. The question should no longer be whether moderation treatment should be an option but rather what treatment offers the best outcomes for those seeking moderation. With the aid of medications like naltrexone and more, we can get substantial improvements in drinking behavior even if we don’t achieve abstinence. Given our findings, I think it would be hard to argue that people who struggle with alcohol problems have to accept abstinence as their goal in treatment and in life.
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So, how can you tell whether moderation or abstinence is a better goal for you? “There are people who don’t want to drink, people who shouldn’t drink, there are people who can’t drink because of the https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/kudzu-extract-and-alcohol-addiction-can-it-help-you-drink-less/ effects that it has interacting with their meds,” Koob says. Riptides can be dangerous even when not intoxicated – riptides in Alabama and Florida killed 10 people in just two weeks in June 2023.
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- Though they can learn to live a clean and sober life by making different choices, many have found after relapse that the myth of having “just one” or being able to control their drinking is nothing more than a myth.
- From detoxification programs to group meetings and more, everyone in our team is committed to helping you win the struggle with addiction.
- No correction was made for multiple comparisons, so analyses of secondary outcomes should be considered exploratory.
- One of the biggest red flags is impaired social and occupational functioning, Koob says.
- Setting up personal guidelines and expectations—and tracking results—can make maintaining moderation easier.
We are not perfect beings, we are fallible and breaking a commitment is not the same as giving up on one. A permanent commitment means we are committed to a course of action for the future and we will do every thing in our power to fulfill and maintain that commitment. A moderation approach may be recommended for those who prefer a gradual approach to progress. Here are additional reflection questions from a therapist to help you understand your own relationship with alcohol, and if moderation meets your needs and preferences. 12-step programs alone do not usually address the underlying need that’s been suppressed through alcohol.
Can a binge drinker moderate alcohol consumption?
From detoxification programs to group meetings and more, everyone in our team is committed to helping you win the struggle with addiction. Sometimes, people without related drug addictions might inquire about naltrexone, a drug that can help block the pleasurable effects of alcohol and help reduce alcohol cravings. These types of medication-assisted treatments can help people achieve abstinence and eventually maintain their sobriety. The alcoholic, on the other hand, will not be able to quit despite consequences successfully. They will not likely be able to put down the drink for an extended period without professional intervention. These individuals know alcohol affects their personal and professional lives directly, but they can’t stop drinking.
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Study medication was administered at approximately 9 am, after which participants were required to stay in the session room with the therapists for at least 8 hours (except for bathroom breaks). During the session, participants were encouraged to lie on a couch wearing eyeshades and headphones providing a standardized playlist of music. Medications were available in the session room to treat hypertension, severe controlled drinking vs abstinence anxiety, or psychotic symptoms as specified in the protocol. 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. Quitting alcohol for good is a life-changing decision with countless benefits that will make you wonder why you didn’t quit sooner.
While this is always encouraging to me, it also made me wonder about the differences between these groups that might be easy to see when someone shows up to treatment. You know, the stuff we can see, feel and measure (I’m a stats geek after all). It is clear from looking at the research that if you want to increase your odds of success, abstinence is the way to go. And while neither path is easy, the abstinence road seems to offer less resistance. A study conducted at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden found that the Reagans of the world are more successful in treatment than the Saras.
- Also, consider your health – excessive drinking can lead to serious conditions like liver disease or heart problems.
- Still, when it comes to looking at entire population, most individuals that abuse alcohol are specifically NOT those more severe cases, which means the results might actually be more generalizable.
- Before you consider that to be a SMART Recovery® license to relapse, it is not.
- “Harm reduction” strategies, or moderation techniques, set more flexible goals in line with patient motivation.
A sober lifestyle is something to be proud of, and the team at Monument is here to provide answers and encouragement throughout your journey. Moderation offers a path to sobriety without completely eliminating drinking. Limiting the amount of alcohol you drink, or taking breaks from drinking alcohol, are ways to get your alcohol problem under control while providing space for you to address the issues that power your drinking. 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.
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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. Instead of drinking alcohol, plan out the non-alcoholic beverages you can order or make instead. Enjoyable, non-alcoholic alternatives include soda and fresh lime juice, virgin mojitos, soda with fresh fruit, kombucha, or mocktails. At the end of four to six months of treatment with the Sinclair Method, 80% of people who had been overusing alcohol were either drinking moderately or abstaining entirely.
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- The reality for alcohol addictions, for example, is that people have an average of two and a half relapses in their ultimate turn to permanent sobriety.
- The 2024 APA Annual Meeting will take place in New York City from May 4 to 8.
- Your whole body may convulse saying, “I’ll do anything, just don’t ask me or tell me that I have to stop forever.” This is normal.
- This approach underestimates the compulsive nature of addiction and the neurological changes that occur with prolonged alcohol abuse.
- The test is free, confidential, and no personal information is needed to receive the result.