First, let’s dive into the difference between abstinence (AKA sobriety) and moderation. Plus, we’re always introducing new features to optimize your in-app experience. We recently launched our in-app chatbot, Melody, powered by the world’s most powerful AI technology. Melody is here to help as you adjust to a life with less (or no) alcohol.
Importance of Abstinence in Addiction Recovery
Eric Patterson, MSCP, NCC, LPC, is a professional counselor who has been working for over a decade to help children, adolescents, and adults in western Pennsylvania reach their goals and improve their well-being. The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous (the main piece of literature utilized by 12-step fellowships across the globe) states three main types of drinkers. Possibly, but one will benefit from being on guard for them, as they can reappear years what is alcoholism later. Be ever vigilant, but ever hopeful and know that you can control your outcome; the choice is yours. A study conducted at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden found that the Reagans of the world are more successful in treatment than the Saras. She admitted she was dependent on alcohol and started seeing a counselor.
Reasons Abstinence From Alcohol May Be the Best Choice
Let’s delve into the pros and cons of both approaches to help us decide which one is better for us. Hello Sunday Morning changing the world’s relationship with alcohol. Freedom of choice is a cornerstone of harm reduction that helps make the practice sustainable over the course of months and years.
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However, if you find yourself struggling with regulating how much alcohol you drink in a day or week, an abstinence-based approach may be necessary for changing your drinking habits. When considered as an entire sample of 84 individuals, participants evidenced significant reductions in all three outcomes over the 7 week intervention period (total drinks, drinking days, and drinks per drinking day). While the burden to deliver effective treatments falls on health care providers, individual factors can impact how well someone responds to these treatments.
Reducing or Quitting Drinking? An Extensive Review of Health Benefits
Also to be remembered are the experiences and feelings that come from abstinence. Moderate drinking can limit adverse effects of alcohol and be a positive stepping stone in helping us quit or cut back further. A moderate drinker is someone who limits their alcohol consumption, usually adhering to standard guidelines for moderate consumption. Another potential disadvantage of alcohol abstinence is that some may find it too restrictive and unsustainable. When the root cause of our drinking isn’t addressed, avoiding alcohol can backfire into binge drinking. Should we cut it out entirely, or is there a way to drink in moderation without adverse effects?
- Let’s explore some ways we can practice moderate drinking or abstinence.
- It’s vital to discuss your goals with a physician to determine how to stop drinking alcohol safely.
- Along with his colleagues, in the presentation, Vasavada will discuss the scientifically sound pros and cons of both abstinence and drinking in moderation for individuals with AUD.
- Upon testing their theory of moderation to see if it is possible to have “just one” they are able to restrain themselves from bingeing again.
However, when we abstain from alcohol suddenly or without proper support, we can encounter negative effects. Quitting alcohol cold turkey can be dangerous, especially after an extended period of heavy drinking or alcohol dependence. When we eliminate alcohol completely, we may experience alcohol withdrawal, which in some cases can be life-threatening. When it comes to recovery, there are arguments for drinking in moderation versus complete abstinence from alcohol.
- The results indicated that the chance of successfully drinking moderately decreases dramatically according to the severity of dependence.
- Contact us today to learn more about us at The Bluffs and take a step toward life-long recovery.
- Freedom of choice is a cornerstone of harm reduction that helps make the practice sustainable over the course of months and years.
- For people choosing recovery, abstinence is preferred to not only help the brain and body break chemical dependency but also to encourage a shift in behavior and emotional regulation.
- These definitions underscore the emphasis on total non-consumption of substances within specific time frames, particularly during treatment and recovery.
- It’s essential to have the support and supervision of drug addiction specialists by your side.
Alcohol addiction treatment programs can guide individuals through a safe and effective medical detox, followed by counseling that targets the reasons behind addiction. Most relapse prevention plans highlight the numerous benefits of drug and alcohol abstinence to ensure long-term recovery. However, this doesn’t mean that people aren’t curious about whether they’ll be able to drink or use substances occasionally after completing rehabilitation. For some, drinking in moderation might be an option, especially as a stepping stone to abstinence. If we feel that quitting alcohol is too restrictive and abstinence might backfire or trigger binge drinking, moderation might be a better choice. If we’re transitioning from excessive drinking, moderate drinking can help our body get used to less alcohol in our system, decreasing the severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
If quitting is your ultimate goal, starting with moderation may help you achieve it. And even if you don’t plan to quit, you may find that you lose interest in alcohol after practicing moderation. No matter what journey you choose in your recovery, getting support so you don’t have to do it alone is essential.
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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. They might practice sobriety regularly with interspersed episodes of moderation. Or, they may have decided on sobriety as a permanent change in their lifestyle. Abstinence has few disadvantages because alcohol abstinence vs moderation alcohol is toxic to our body and avoiding it only does us good.
Alcoholics Anonymous Reduces Depression?
This study by Kuerbis and colleagues investigated how individuals with different clinical profiles will respond to moderation-focused alcohol interventions. The Healing Place is available 24/7 to discuss your treatment options. Their representatives will discuss whether their facility may be an option for you. These calls are offered at no cost to you and with no obligation to enter into treatment.