While it can seem daunting to practice abstinence, limit your alcohol use, or seek treatment, you can find comfort in the fact that there is no definitive “correct” way to get where you want to be. Seek skilled guidance from an addiction psychologist to get feedback when selecting goals, assessing progress, and setting appropriate boundaries. In a whole series of posters and talks, we have now been able to show that there are some real differences in how those who come looking for moderation show up for, and in how they end up doing in, treatment with us. I think the findings are incredibly interesting and I hope you’ll think so too. This piece will be an overview, and future pieces will dig in more specifically into individual findings. Here is an example of how the “bottom line” might be reestablished in your home.
However, please know that it is not necessarily advisable to include your loved one in this decision or discussion about the new “bottom line.” It can be more of an internal decision that you, the family member(s) make. You can undergo professional therapy, either alone—often called individual therapy or “talk therapy”—or in a group setting. Therapy not only helps you develop strategies to manage addiction but also helps you identify and address underlying factors that increase the chance of relapse. Abstinence is easily defined as when you abstain or choose not to partake in a particular activity. For our present discussion, we’re specifically referring to abstinence in relation to alcohol and drug use.
Addiction Treatment for the Wealthy
Well, one of the most important things to consider is where you fall on the severity spectrum. 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. Ark Behavioral Health offers 100% confidential substance abuse assessment and treatment placement tailored to your individual needs.
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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). Become a member of Allies in Recovery
and we’ll teach you how to intervene, communicate
and guide your loved one toward treatment. Abstinence and moderation both have pros and cons; however, moderation would seem to be the more difficult option for one main reason. In reality, moderation can be even harder than abstinence as it can take as much, or perhaps even more, willpower to stop once you’ve already started.
Sleeping Well During Recovery
For some people, drinking in moderation can be a viable pathway to a healthier life. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), the definition of moderate alcohol use differs for men and women. Before deciding whether you want to embark on an abstinence or moderation-based journey, it’s essential to pinpoint your condition and desire to quit drinking. It’s important to note, too, that not everyone considering these approaches has an alcohol use disorder (AUD). If you view yourself as someone who would like to cut back on how many drinks you have a week, then moderation may be best suited for you.
- A program called Moderation Management advocates this alternative to abstinence as a solution for a substance abuse disorder2.
- Her grown son has moved back home and is using cocaine, alcohol, and marijuana — and angrily denying it.
- The idea of moderation and mindful drinking is also a great way for people who are asking themselves “should I stop drinking?
- First, let’s dive into the difference between abstinence (AKA sobriety) and moderation.
Alcohol had taken its toll—her job, friends, family, and health had all suffered—and she wanted it out of her life. Her counselor agreed that abstinence was a good solution and they took steps to help Reagan achieve this goal. It is difficult for our Allies member to see her son struggling to make friends while at the same time using alcohol to overcome controlled drinking vs abstinence his social anxiety. By following the CRAFT principles of effective communication, she is able to step back and allow him to experience the negative consequences of his drinking, and to focus on rewarding his positive choices. This is easier said than done, but her loving support and commitment to CRAFT is guiding him in the right direction.
Antidepressants and Alcohol: The Dangers of Drinking while using Antidepressants
The journey to changing your relationship with alcohol is about progress, not perfection. Whether you’re working towards sobriety or moderate alcohol intake, the most important thing is to keep going. Every day presents a new opportunity to define your goals and make progress towards them. Learning more about your options and the health benefits of cutting back is already a meaningful step.
You don’t have to attend AA meetings and introduce yourself as an alcoholic, and you don’t have to answer questions at parties or social gatherings when people notice you aren’t drinking. When your goal is only one drink instead of no drinks at all, the temptation to stray can become less powerful and you can more often enjoy positive reinforcement from your successes. Anger and resentment towards her loved one has transformed – with one event – into love and fear. He was arrested out of state for dealing drugs and driving under the influence.
Abstinence may not be a realistic solution with some addictions, such as eating and in some cases sexual addictions. Even in these instances commitment to moderation is an important factor for success. Speak with a treatment provider and get your questions about rehab answered today. Take our short alcohol quiz to learn where you fall on the drinking spectrum and if you might benefit from quitting or cutting back on alcohol. However, moderation doesn’t work for everyone who struggles with alcohol.
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. It’s vital to discuss your goals with a physician to determine how to stop drinking alcohol safely.
