Abstinence vs Moderation: Which is Right for You?

From a health perspective, complete abstinence is recommended for certain populations. This includes those managing liver disease, bipolar disorder, abnormal heart rhythms, or chronic pain. While sobriety can be achieved by anyone, it’s important to check in with your healthcare provider before making significant changes to your drinking patterns. For individuals with severe alcohol use disorder and possible physical alcohol dependence, quitting cold turkey can cause withdrawal symptoms that may be dangerous or even life-threatening.

Issues with past studies on moderate alcohol use and health

Enjoyable, non-alcoholic alternatives include virgin mojitos, kombucha, mocktails, and soda with fresh fruit or lime juice. Dr. Arnold Washton is licensed to practice in New York, New Jersey, and Florida. Dr. Loraine Washton is licensed to practice in New York and New Jersey. → Are not currently grappling with severe life controlled drinking vs abstinence problems such as divorce, job loss, bankruptcy, debilitating or life-threatening medical illness, death of a loved one, depression or other psychiatric illness, etc. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans are a set of nutrition recommendations for Americans across all lifespans that is updated and released by the U.S.

Staying Healthy

The answer to whether MM will work for you lies with each individual person. MM may help some people moderate their drinking, but this program is not the answer for those who are truly alcoholics. Addiction is a disease that leaves one powerless over drugs or alcohol. This disease is not a choice, so believing you can control it when you have an addiction can be dangerous and naive. Simply put, MM is a moderate drinking program that provides a solution other than complete abstinence. Moderation Management is a program that looks to set guidelines to help people who struggle with their alcohol intake.

Take this “getting back to normal” as a chance to rethink your relationship with alcohol.
By doing so, you may even identify triggers that cause you to drink—for example, certain social situations, stress from work, or even boredom.
Just because you can’t feel the typical “high” from alcohol while taking naltrexone, it does not mean you should drive or perform other dangerous activities while under the influence of alcohol.
Regardless of your path, working with a physician and therapist can provide answers, reassurance, and guidance throughout the process.

Oar Health Member Stories: ADHD and AUD

We offer two types of treatment options for people who want help for drinking problems. One option is abstinence-based treatment for individuals who have decided to stop drinking completely and want to stay stopped over the long term. Their decision is often the result of failed attempts at controlled drinking and/or suffering severe alcohol-related consequences. Rarely, if ever, do heavy drinkers choose to give up alcohol for good until they are convinced by their own experience that moderation is simply not attainable. What’s more, they refuse to define themselves as “alcoholic/addict” or give in to pressure to attend AA meetings.

There’s an endless number of fun things to do with loved ones that involve no drinking whatsoever. Some options include going to the movies, enjoying nature, hosting a game night, cooking a meal together—the https://ecosoberhouse.com/ sky’s the limit. Thankfully, there are many ways to cut down on your drinking to a more modest place. Here are some practical strategies, tips, and reminders to help you drink more mindfully and moderately.

Can an alcoholic ever drink again in moderation?

Some recent studies have linked moderate alcohol consumption to health benefits, such as lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Other studies tout potential health benefits of drinking wine and tequila. These risks seem to cancel out evidence of alcohol’s cardiovascular benefits, which was weakened anyway when researchers did more nuanced studies. The heart-protective theory was based on the finding that moderate drinkers had better cardiovascular health than both nondrinkers (by a little bit) and heavy drinkers (by a lot).

Alcohol use: Weighing risks and benefits

Take Advantage of “Getting Back to Normal” to Revisit Your Relationship with Alcohol

Enjoyable, non-alcoholic alternatives include virgin mojitos, kombucha, mocktails, and soda with fresh fruit or lime juice.
However, it may take some time before you feel like yourself again.
Unlike AA, moderation management meetings aren’t necessarily meant to be therapeutic — although they often are.
Kishline was an AA member for a while but sadly had a relapse and killed a father and daughter in a drunk driving accident in 2000.
You could also get help to better manage your emotions, address past trauma, and understand how anxiety, depression, or other emotional difficulties have powered your alcohol abuse.