
Moderation vs Abstinence: Should You Cut Back, or Quit Drinking?
By addressing these challenges head-on, those committed to sobriety can enjoy the many benefits of a sober life, such as improved physical and mental health, better relationships, and increased self-confidence. Choosing non-alcoholic alternatives can help individuals in recovery avoid the temptation of alcohol while still enjoying social occasions. Cocktails and non-alcoholic spirits are delicious and refreshing options, allowing individuals to participate in social events without compromising their sobriety. Social situations can be challenging for those in recovery, with the pressure to drink often present in various settings. However, it’s possible to enjoy social events without consuming alcohol and maintain sobriety.
- It actually is much easier to just give it up entirely than punish yourself trying to moderate or control your addictive behavior.
- 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.
- Decisions about our alcohol consumption choices should ultimately be made based on our personal needs and goals with the guidance of our healthcare provider.
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It’s a healthy step in a positive direction, and is often achievable with medication. Alcoholism requires treatment, just like any other medical condition, and understanding the potential consequences of consuming alcohol can help individuals make informed decisions to maintain their sobriety. If you or someone you know is struggling with a drinking problem, don’t wait any longer. Countless treatment options can help them conquer their addiction and manage any withdrawal =https://ecosoberhouse.com/ symptoms. It’s essential to have the support and supervision of drug addiction specialists by your side. The alcoholic, on the other hand, will not be able to quit despite consequences successfully.
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- Such people may choose to remain abstinent after staying abstinent out of necessity for a period of time.
- Let’s explore some ways we can practice moderate drinking or abstinence.
- This blog post will delve into the nuances of both approaches, shedding light on the risks, benefits, and strategies to help individuals make informed decisions and maintain a fulfilling sober life.
However, for heavy drinkers and those with an addiction, reducing the number of drinks they consume without supervised help can lead to unintentional alcohol withdrawal. She admitted she was hooked on alcohol and started seeing a counselor. 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. Moderate drinking and mindful drinking can be stepping stones to abstinence.
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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. When a person chooses to be abstinent, it means that they refrain from all alcohol consumption for a duration of time. However, when someone starts on a journey of sobriety, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are committing to a lifetime of abstinence. They may have adopted a sobriety challenge, such as Sober September or Dry January in order to gain the space to re-evaluate their relationship with alcohol rehab alcohol.
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When it comes to recovery, there are arguments for drinking in moderation versus complete abstinence from alcohol. While we may be looking for a definitive answer, both paths to recovery can work for different people. It’s important to note that notable health organizations such as the WHO report that no amount of alcohol is good for our health.
Drinking in Moderation vs. Abstinence — Is One Better?
If you want to resolve problem drinking without medication, abstinence may be a better choice for you. If you’re thinking about changing your relationship with alcohol, one of the first decisions you will make is whether you want to cut back or quit altogether. These individuals notably made up just 14% of the sample, the smallest group of the three. At least based on these data, they are likely to make up a minor sub-set of individuals who seek moderation-focused treatment. It is also worth mentioning some baseline (i.e., pre-treatment) differences between the three groups to get a sense of the types of individuals in each group.
Abstinence alcohol abstinence vs moderation from drinking is typically considered the traditional approach to treatment and is sometimes required in programs like Alcoholics Anonymous. Life-long abstinence from alcohol is often the end goal for many people who have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, but getting to this point can be challenging. Some people may never get the care they need to start this journey and as a result, will never achieve abstinence.
We offer alcohol and drug detox services, dual-diagnosis addiction treatment, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and more. Take the first step toward addiction treatment by contacting us today. For those seeking addiction treatment for themselves or a loved one, all phone calls are confidential and are available for 24/7 help.