Many people, including some medical professionals, believe that abstinence is the only way.
But medical research has shown that the cold-turkey approach may not be the best way for everyone.
For them, even a glass of wine every now and again could trigger a return to drinking heavily.
Michael Heffernan / Getty Images
For some people, drinking in moderation can be effective at curbing addictive behaviors to alcohol.
RethinkingDrinkingis a great resource from the National Institutes of Health if you’re considering a change.
Some people can get control over their drinking and drink safer levels of alcohol without having to quit entirely.
There is no shame in this.
Some possible goals include:
Assess Your Current Alcohol Intake
Keep a drinking diary for one week.
Also write down any negative effects or situations that arose that you would like to avoid in the future.
For example, “After my third beer, I got into an argument with Ben.”
You will need professional assistance to determine what this safe limit is for you.
Arrange for a ride home with a sober driver, or pre-book a cab or rideshare service.
Leave your car at home so you will not be tempted to use it.
Get a ride or take a bus or train to your event.
There are also medications that can be helpful for people who want to reduce their drinking.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database
- Sayed BA, French MT.To your health!
Re-examining the health benefits of moderate alcohol use.Soc Sci Med.
2016;167:20-28. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.08.034
Alcohol screening and counseling: an effective but underused health service.CDC Vital Signs.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Rethinking Drinking Alcohol and Your Health.Thinking about a change?
2018;12:1178221818792414. doi:10.1177/1178221818792414
Harvard Health Publishing.Alcohol abstinence vs. moderation.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Treatment for alcohol problems: finding and getting help.
Miller W, Munoz R.Controlling Your Drinking.
Tools to Make Moderation Work For You.New YorK: Guilford; 2005
