Tom Linde, a Seattle based therapist in Private Practice, argues one must be cautious if one is to toy with the idea of moderate drinking, especially if one was hitherto an acute alcoholic. Understanding these factors helps in creating personalized recovery plans that address both psychological and social elements. For those grappling with the challenges of moderation after recovery, exploring options such as outpatient rehab could provide the flexibility and support needed for successful long-term recovery. The traditional view emphasizes that complete abstinence provides a clear, Sober living house unambiguous path to recovery, minimizing the risk of relapse and offering a stable foundation for rebuilding one’s life. AA has accomplished a lot in the past several decades by not only helping people who are struggling with alcoholism, but also their families.
Substance use characteristics
In combination with the proliferation of treatments designed to help individuals reduce rather than quit drinking, these statistics are indicative of the need to understand the benefits of reduced drinking. Based on 8 studies, the research suggests that abstinence may be needed for individuals with harmful drinking – defined in this review as drinking at least 3-4 drinks on average per day in men and 2-3 in women depending on the study – or alcohol use disorder, to achieve social benefits. For example, in three separate randomized trials, reduced drinking did not lead to changes in anxiety or life satisfaction. Our second goal was to examine differences in quality of life betweenabstainers and non-abstainers controlling for length of time in recovery.
Controversy in the Recovery Community
But we can also implement mindful drinking for a more extensive approach to bettering our relationship with alcohol. Should we cut it out entirely, or is there a way to drink in moderation without adverse effects? Let’s delve into the pros and cons https://ecosoberhouse.com/ of both approaches to help us decide which one is better for us. Exercise is another key factor in recovery due to its numerous benefits such as stress reduction, improvement in mood and sleep patterns in addition to promoting overall wellbeing. Regular physical activity can act as a healthy coping mechanism when dealing with cravings or anxiety related to your efforts towards alcohol moderation management. Abstinence benefits extend beyond just physical improvements though; they also encompass mental health improvements.
Sensitivity Analyses.
In its original form, RP aims to reduce risk of relapse by teaching participants cognitive and behavioral skills for coping in high-risk situations (Marlatt & Gordon, 1985). More recent versions of RP have included mindfulness-based techniques (Bowen, Chawla, & Marlatt, 2010; Witkiewitz et al., 2014). The RP model has been studied among individuals with both AUD and DUD (especially Cocaine Use Disorder, e.g., Carroll, Rounsaville, & Gawin, 1991); with the largest effect sizes identified in the treatment of AUD (Irvin, Bowers, Dunn, & Wang, 1999).
. Correlates of substance use status
Additionally, some groups target individuals with co-occurring psychiatric disorders (Little, Hodari, Lavender, & Berg, 2008). Important features common to these groups include low program barriers (e.g., drop-in groups, few rules) and inclusiveness of clients with difficult presentations (Little & Franskoviak, 2010). Given data demonstrating a clear link between abstinence goals and treatment engagement in a primarily abstinence-based SUD treatment system, it is reasonable to hypothesize that offering nonabstinence treatment would increase overall engagement by appealing to those with nonabstinence goals. Indeed, there is anecdotal evidence that this may be the case; for example, a qualitative study of nonabstinence drug treatment in Denmark described a client saying that he would not have presented to abstinence-only treatment due to his goal of moderate use (Järvinen, 2017). Despite the growth of the harm reduction movement globally, research and implementation of nonabstinence treatment in the U.S. has lagged. Furthermore, abstinence remains a gold standard treatment outcome in pharmacotherapy research for drug use disorders, even after numerous calls for alternative metrics of success (Volkow, 2020).
- I don’t think I have a problem, but I might be someone that could get it problems more than anyone else … (IP30).
- Among other measures, regardless of their allocation to or choice of controlled-drinking versus abstinence aims, almost identical proportions of patients achieved substantial drinking reductions (58–59%) and reported improved social functioning.
- There are no requirements for changing your relationship with alcohol and seeking treatment.
- Alcoholism is characterised by a loss of control over one’s drinking behaviour and an inability to consistently limit consumption.
Moderation may be easier to stick with
The purpose of this paper is to investigate how clients – five years after completing treatment interventions endorsing abstinence – view abstinence and the role of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in their recovery process. Additionally, we offer exceptional continuing care so even after completing your programme; you’re never alone in this fight against alcohol addiction. Whether it’s through continued counselling or group meetings within the community -we’ll be there every step of the way- supporting you as much as needed so that recovery becomes less daunting and more hopeful. The dearth of data regarding individuals in long-term recovery highlights theneed to examine a sample that includes moderation vs abstinence individuals with several years of recoveryexperience.
Figure 1. Flow chart indicating the number of participants with complete data who were included in study analyses.
- For example, alcohol treatment services can provide in-reach to local health, social care or community services.
- In the same 16-year follow-up, for those abstinent in the year before the follow-up assessment, only 18% were hospitalized compared with 43% who were non-abstinent.
- How the risks of drinking balance out this potential benefit, if it is found to be causal, for those with Type II diabetes is not yet clear.
- MM utilises cognitive behavioural therapy techniques and new participants must abstain from drinking for the first 30 days, after which men and women should not exceed more than three drinks a day, or nine drinks a week for women and fourteen drinks a week for men.
- More recent versions of RP have included mindfulness-based techniques (Bowen, Chawla, & Marlatt, 2010; Witkiewitz et al., 2014).
The features of dependence are usually evident over a period of at least 12 months but the diagnosis may be made if alcohol use is continuous (daily or almost daily) for at least 3 months. Losing control of alcohol is no longer a threat to them since losing control over alcohol is no longer a threat. An “alcoholic” — the colloquial term for someone with alcohol use disorder (AUD) — is defined as a person who is unable to quit or cut back on alcohol despite negative consequences. The social aspect of drinking may also be a disadvantage for someone who is abstaining. Let’s say we commit to abstinence, but then a social event comes up and we decide to have a sip, because why not? We haven’t had any in a while, and since we’ve been restricting alcohol completely, our brain could go into an all-or-nothing mindset.