However, studies have shown that abstinence often yields more benefits in the long run. For instance, abstaining from alcohol can decrease the risk of liver disease, improve cognitive function, and enhance emotional resilience. You’re here because you’ve taken the first brave step in acknowledging that your relationship with alcohol needs a change. You’re not alone, and it’s important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to managing alcohol use. Finding useful information and resources about addiction or alcoholism can be a minefield. To increase the chance of a successful recovery and life of sobriety it is important to receive guidance from a reliable source.
If a person tells themselves this every day, the number of days without a drink will soon add up. For example, someone might want to cut back on the amount they drink, or maybe slow down their rate of drinking. In the results, we mention that there were a few IPs that were younger, with a background of diffuse and complex problems characterized by a multi-problem situation.
4. Consequences of abstinence-only treatment
Our program offers expert medical support, recovery coaching, and a variety of tools and resources—all delivered 100 percent virtually. Some people find it’s still too overwhelming to be around alcohol, and it’s too hard to change their habits. If one drink still leads to several more, attempting moderation isn’t the safest choice. People who have a more severe drinking problem and find moderation difficult to maintain often do better with abstinence. It involves the use of medications like naltrexone which help reduce alcohol cravings. They’re able to enjoy an occasional drink while still avoiding negative drinking behaviors and consequences.
Moderation can open a window for you to defuse the emotional challenges that create the craving for relief that alcohol provides. While you are taking a break from drinking or limiting your drinking, you have an opportunity to develop better coping skills, address your drinking behaviors, and find healthier ways of dealing with the issues that drinking is covering up. 12-step programs alone do not usually address the underlying need that’s been suppressed through alcohol. Without addressing those needs, it’s like trying to cap an active volcano with a giant boulder. Sooner or later, the pressure will build up and the volcano will explode—or you will relapse.
Historical context of nonabstinence approaches
It’s also important to remember that it’s not a permanent line between “moderate drinkers” and “abstainers.” You can always reevaluate your relationship with alcohol and revisit your goals. A number of studies have examined psychosocial risk reduction interventions for individuals with high-risk drug use, especially people who inject drugs. In contrast to the holistic approach of harm reduction psychotherapy, risk reduction interventions are generally designed to target specific HIV risk behaviors (e.g., injection or sexual risk behaviors) without directly addressing mechanisms of SUD, and thus are quite limited in scope.
“It is essentially a practical approach; success is not measured by the achievement of an “ideal” drinking level or situation (i.e., abstention or low-risk levels), but by whether the introduction of the prevention measure reduces the chance that adverse consequences will occur” (NCBI). Our approach is not one-size-fits-all; instead, it’s grounded in empathy, respect controlled drinking vs abstinence for your individuality, and a deep understanding of how alcohol abuse impacts different people in different ways. That’s why our approach involves taking time to know you better, identify your triggers, and help chart a path forward that aligns with your life goals. Learning to drink in moderation can be the goal, or it can be a way station on the way to abstinence.
