This model can be a type of harm reduction strategy for someone who is unwilling to give up alcohol completely but trying to decrease the amount and frequency of their intake. This may also be the approach for heavy drinkers looking to cut back, but there are some concerns with this approach to alcohol recovery for those with alcohol use disorders. It was also hypothesized that, given naltrexone’s effect on hedonic response to alcohol (King et al., 1997; McCaul et al., 2001; Ray et al., 2010), naltrexone would be more effective among those with a controlled drinking goal versus those with an abstinence oriented goal.
- Social stability at intake was negatively related in Rychtarik et al. to consumption as a result either of abstinence or of limited intake.
- Living without it might seem like an unattainable idea that is essentially out of the question.
- Controlled drinking (CD) is part of the harm reduction approach to alcohol dependency, and also a type of Alcohol Dependence Treatment (ADT).
- It’s during this period that peer support becomes invaluable; it helps to know that others are experiencing similar struggles or have overcome them already.
What is Controlled Drinking or Alcohol Moderation Management?
As recently proposed, focusing on functioning rather than drinking practices per se may be more useful when defining successful AUD recovery and forecasting how an individual will fare over the long run4,13,16,17,45. Our quantitative findings using a clinical treatment sample also are aligned with research indicating that functional outcomes, including quality of life and well-being, are highly valued among persons who self-identify as being in recovery20,21. Further, analyses revealed several drinking goal × CBI interactions such that the benefit of cognitive behavioral intervention over medical management was not supported for participants whose reported goal was complete abstinence. These findings were evident in two of four outcome measures and some were trend level, which, given the sample size of the present study limits the conclusions that can be drawn about matching of behavioral intervention based on drinking goal. Additionally, type I error correction was not implemented; therefore caution is warranted when interpreting marginally significant interactions. It is, however, an important clinical finding that CBI conferred no advantage over a brief, medically oriented intervention for participants whose drinking goal was complete abstinence.
Figure 1. Flow chart indicating the number of participants with complete data who were included in study analyses.
- When it comes to choosing between total abstinence or limiting your intake, the answer isn’t black and white.
- This may also be the approach for heavy drinkers looking to cut back, but there are some concerns with this approach to alcohol recovery for those with alcohol use disorders.
- Besides, alcohol affects your sleep quality and mental health too; it’s not uncommon for people who drink regularly to struggle with anxiety or depression.
- Some people may never get the care they need to start this journey and as a result, will never achieve abstinence.
- CBT for alcohol use disorders is grounded in social-cognitive theory (Bandura, 1986) and employs skills training in order to help patients cope more effectively with substance use triggers, including life stressors (Longabaugh & Morgenstern, 1999; Morgenstern & Longabaugh, 2000).
- Alcohol moderation management isn’t just about cutting back and reducing your blood alcohol concentration, it’s a deeply personal journey that can empower you to regain control of your life and reconnect with those who matter most.
In addition, no priorstudy has examined whether quality of life differs among those in abstinent vs.non-abstinent recovery in a sample that includes individuals who have attained longperiods of recovery. Here we discuss exploratory analyses of differences between abstinentand nonabstinent individuals who defined themselves as “in recovery” fromAUDs. Study (WIR) dataset, one of the largest repositoriesof individuals in recovery available. A better understanding of the factors related tonon-abstinent recovery will help clinicians advise patients regarding appropriatetreatment goals. The dearth of data regarding individuals in long-term recovery highlights theneed to examine a sample that includes individuals with several years of recoveryexperience. Moreover, Halfway house although previous studies have examined treated, non-treated andgeneral population samples, none has focused on individuals who identifythemselves as “in recovery” from alcohol problems.
4 Stepwise regressions: Quality of life (QOL)
This study examined the effects of drinking goal on clinical outcomes in the COMBINE Study. It was hypothesized that patients whose drinking goals were oriented towards complete abstinence would have better treatment outcomes as indexed by a greater percentage of days abstinent, longer period until relapse, and an overall higher global clinical outcome. These hypotheses were supported by the present study, such that participants with a self-reported goal of complete abstinence had better overall clinical outcomes following 16 weeks of alcohol dependence treatment.
- Moreover, although previous studies have examined treated, non-treated andgeneral population samples, none has focused on individuals who identifythemselves as “in recovery” from alcohol problems.
- It’s not an easy road to lasting recovery, but with the right support and resources, it can definitely be a journey worth taking.
- The results suggest the importance of offering interventions with various treatment goals and that clients choosing CD as part of their sustained recovery would benefit from support in this process, both from peers and from professionals.
- One research study on Veterans suggested that both models can decrease alcohol use to a degree, but those striving for abstinence were far more successful than those drinking in moderation.
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. The role of nutrition should also not be overlooked as maintaining a balanced diet can help restore physical health damaged by excessive alcohol consumption. The negative effects of your drinking may have turned you off of alcohol entirely, and that’s completely okay.
Most people who seek out moderation management (MM) have already tried and been unsuccessful at stopping drinking or cutting down on their use. The results suggest the importance of offering interventions with various treatment goals and that clients choosing CD as part of their sustained recovery would benefit from support in this process, both alcohol abstinence vs moderation from peers and professionals. When alcohol is consumed, the brain releases endorphins, chemicals that relieve pain and induce sensations of pleasure or euphoria. Repeated exposure to the endorphin release due to alcohol creates and reinforces the desire or urge to drink. According to advocates of The Sinclair Method, drinking is a learned behaviour, and one example of conditioning.
Controlled drinkers
Future research that expands the scope of outcome indicators to include measures of biopsychosocial functioning and AUD diagnostic criteria50 is important for advancing understanding of the multiple pathways to recovery from AUD. Additional research should examine whether remission from AUD diagnostic symptoms, which were not examined in the current study, are useful in defining recovery or whether focusing on well-being and psychological functioning is sufficient to characterize recovery from AUD. The results suggest that the 12-step philosophy, with abstinence as the only possible choice, might mean that people in the AA community who are ambivalent and/or critical regarding parts of the philosophy must “hide” their perceptions on their own process. Experiences of the 12-step programmes and AA meetings were useful for a majority of the clients.
Moderation vs. Abstinence: Should You Cut Back or Quit Drinking Completely?
Those clients described meetings as helpful at the beginning of their recovery process. However, they no longer found themselves in need of this help and did not express ambivalence regarding their decision to stop attending meetings. On the other hand, some clients in the present study had adopted the 12-step principles, intensified their attendance and made it more or less central in their life. As the IP had a successful outcome, =https://ecosoberhouse.com/ six months after treatment, their possibilities for CD might be better than for persons with SUD in general. On the other hand, as the group expressed positive views on this specific treatment, they might question the sobriety goal in a lesser extent than other groups.
