Dr. Washton offers personalized concierge care that can help you learn how to moderate your drinking within safer limits. Though sobriety has a clear definition, you may still be asking yourself, what is sobriety, and what will it mean to me? Oftentimes it can mean learning how alcohol abstinence vs moderation to manage cravings, engaging in alcohol treatment, finding community, and introducing alcohol alternatives into your daily life. 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 can also be the first step towards abstinence. This helps drinkers who are resistant to cold turkey abstinence-based programs. This approach gives individuals the power of choice in determining how to address their heavy drinking. It also https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/what-sober-networking-is-and-why-it-is-important/ emphasizes the importance of addressing it early for best results. The Moderation Management philosophy encourages individuals to develop their own solutions. They can set goals and boundaries that help them reduce or eliminate their drinking.

How to Get Help for Drug or Alcohol Misuse

This allows someone to avoid the dangerous physical symptoms of acute alcohol withdrawal while still working towards recovery. This managed detox is better done while monitored in a licensed medical detox center, however. A managed withdrawal from alcohol with professional help available will always be safer and more effective than trying to wean yourself off alcohol at home. Can you drink in moderation instead of eliminating alcohol from your life completely? It’s possible, but for those affected by alcohol use disorder, not always easy or feasible.

• And if you have struggled with your drinking, you too have probably spent a lot of time thinking about which one you need to choose.
• We’re talking about abstinence versus moderation today because I get asked this question all the time.
• Moderation Management (MM), a nonprofit organization, is the primary program that uses the technique of moderating drinking rather than stopping it altogether.
• By Buddy T

  Buddy T is a writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism.

• There are proponents of another theory though, that one can control addiction through moderation management (MM) behaviors, and there is evidence to support this theory, too.

Proponents of Moderation Management consider this program to be a good place to start for most individuals, but it is not appropriate for everyone, and many members of MM progress to more stringent approaches. If the MM program does not work for an individual or if they are unable to follow the steps of the program, they should consider becoming involved in stricter programs that stress abstinence. Individuals who have developed a significant physical dependence on alcohol or other drugs are not appropriate candidates for MM. Moderation Management (MM) was founded by Audrey Kishline in 1994.

Written by Thrivalist Sobriety

If you lean towards gradualism, moderation may be a more comfortable place to start. Is it a main character in your day, or more of an afterthought? If alcohol is playing a central role in your life, you might find more success exploring sobriety.

Although moderation may be a good starting point for many drinkers, it is not the best approach for everyone with a drinking problem. People with severe drinking problems generally find moderation difficult to maintain and often do better with abstinence. There are many different pathways to success, and the key lies in finding which particular pathway works best for each person. Some people find it’s still too overwhelming to be around alcohol, and it’s too hard to change their habits.

Moderation Management, the Philosophy

Besides the obvious health benefits, taking a break from drinking is the fastest way to figure out what’s really behind your desire. This radically different approach helps you succeed by dropping the perfectionism and judgment that blocks change. Decide what works best for you when it comes to drinking. Discover how to trust yourself and feel truly powered to take it or leave it.

How the idea of abstinence strips you of your power and free will. 2 things we are taught about alcohol and desire that are simply wrong. Consider the cost and side effects related with your drinking, and ask yourself whether the Alcohol Management Program may be right for you. Visit our Self-Evaluation to take a better look at alcohol and your health. Hope is double-edged; false hope can set you on a collision course with despair. Know when your hopes are well-founded and how to turn your deep desires into results.