Abstinence has long been considered the primary approach to treating alcohol use disorders. Alcoholics Anonymous firmly promotes an abstinence model of recovery. However, there is a growing cadre of addiction treatment practitioners that recognize the ability of alcoholics to maintain a safe level of consumption. Thus, the question, “Can alcoholics drink moderately?” would historically be answered with a blunt, “No.” More recent years have seen that expanded to be a possible yes. Still, the point is not to ignite a war between absolute abstinence and what is called moderation management. Instead, the point is that simply promoting abstinence is not the only way for people to experience recovery from an alcohol use disorder.
Contact 703.935.8544 to learn more about Insight Into Action Therapy’s alcohol moderation treatment program.
Can Alcoholics Drink Moderately?
The simplest answer to this question is yes. However, the moderation approach to treating alcohol addiction is not the best fit for everyone. For instance, one area that the vast majority of medical practitioners agree on is abstinence as the best treatment method for people suffering from severe alcohol addiction. Put another way, the moderation approach is best reserved for people with milder alcohol use disorders.
Another question that is pertinent to alcohol addiction treatment is “What do alcoholics drink?” Anything alcoholic is a possibility. What people gravitate toward is different depending on personal preference, ease of access, and a slew of other factors. But there’s another way to look at the “what” in that question; concerning “how much” tips the scales from being moderate to an unhealthy level.
The medical community has issued broad guidelines for what is considered safe; drinking up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men. Anything above that is considered an unhealthy level of alcohol consumption. Moreover, some people fall into categories that are classified as never safe to drink. These include people who may be or are pregnant and people under the legal drinking age.
How to Drink Moderately
The moderation management approach to treating alcohol issues outlines a few key steps to learning how to drink moderately. This holistic approach to moderate drinking is outlined below.
1. Record Behavior
One of the first steps to learning how to drink moderately is to record drinking behavior. This can be done by journaling each instance of drinking. Record the following details:
- The date
- The number of drinks you have
- What drinks you had
- Time spent drinking
- What the occasion was
- Your feelings at the time
Keeping a record means you can start to notice patterns. For instance, there could be an emotional trigger prompting drinking behavior. Or else, every time you are out to dinner, you end up drinking too much. Noticing those patterns gives you the info necessary to disrupt them.
2. List Issues Stemming From Alcohol
It is sometimes easy to have blinders on about the real impact of your alcohol use. Another tactic to get drinking under control is to inventory the issues that alcohol has caused in your life. This activity is not meant to produce guilt. Instead, it is intended to prompt careful evaluation of the risks, negatives, and downsides associated with drinking.
3. Learn Coping Skills
Cutting back on drinking may initially feel like it is leaving a void. You must acquire coping skills that help you navigate life without resorting to dangerous and unproductive levels of drinking. This could look like taking up exercising, investing in a hobby, or connecting with a friend who can hold you accountable for avoiding excessive drinking when you feel tempted.
Learn How to Drink Moderately With Insight Into Action Therapy
Insight Into Action Therapy offers moderation management therapy that helps people get their drinking behavior under control. It is possible to enjoy alcohol without letting it take over your life. Learn how by calling 703.935.8544.
