You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with our licensed Reframe coaches for more personalized guidance. The Reframe app equips you with the knowledge and skills you need to not only survive drinking less, but to thrive while you navigate the journey. Our daily research-backed readings teach you the neuroscience of alcohol, and our in-app Toolkit provides the resources and activities you need to navigate each challenge. Moderate drinking can be a form of mindful drinking, but mindful drinking includes other beneficial aspects, such as identifying triggers and noticing our emotions before and after drinking. At Ria, we offer weekly meetings with certified counselors to help members stay on track and build skills for long-term change.
Is Harm Reduction a Worthwhile Recovery Approach?
- People who attempt moderation for the first time are admitting to themselves that a problem exists and they are displaying a willingness to make changes.
- Abstinence has few disadvantages because alcohol is toxic to our body and avoiding it only does us good.
- The best course of action is the one that will work the best for you.
- According to the CDC, drinking moderately refers to two standard drinks or fewer a day for men and one standard drink or fewer a day for women.
- A therapist creates an ethical dilemma anytime they recommend a treatment plan based on their personal opinions, rather than the client’s best interests.
Abstinence 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. For those with more severe alcohol use disorders, trying to quit drinking cold turkey can also be dangerous to their health and in some cases, even deadly.
Consider the health benefits
For clinicians, the practical consideration becomes establishing which clients are appropriate for abstinence and which are appropriate for harm alcohol abstinence vs moderation reduction. As expected, the answer is not straightforward and could require several instances of trial and error to know with certainty. Clearly, abstinence is a method that works well for many people and has been historically helpful. For more than 70 years, abstinence has been the basis for recovery models like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), but in the 2020s, other models may feel more realistic and contemporary.
- If one drink still leads to several more, attempting moderation isn’t the safest choice.
- 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.
- Lastly, you can join moderated alcohol support groups to get encouragement and gain accountability in a non-judgmental and secure forum.
- If you’re ready for this type of future, talk to a member of our admissions team today.
You prefer not to take medication for alcohol addiction
For those seeking addiction treatment for themselves or a loved one, all phone calls are confidential and are available for 24/7 help. Any treatment center receiving calls from the site is a paid advertiser. drug addiction Calls to numbers on a specific treatment center listing will be routed to that treatment center. Calls to any general helpline will be received by The Healing Place, a paid advertiser. Our program is designed to introduce new habits and wellness techniques you can use to conquer cravings, identify addiction triggers, prevent relapse, and manage co-occurring conditions such as anxiety and depression.
Documenting Harm Reduction Strategies with ICANotes
While research shows long-term benefits to abstinence, this approach can leave out those who want to change their drinking habits but are not ready to abstain completely. Many treatment facilities require that their “clients” remain substance-free, which may deter those wanting to adapt their relationship with alcohol. In public health and academic contexts, drug and alcohol abstinence refers to the voluntary decision to refrain from consuming substances, often as a lifestyle choice or as part of recovery from addiction. Abstinence can be pursued for various reasons, including personal health, religious beliefs, or legal and societal responsibilities. Total abstinence is not the only option when changing your relationship with alcohol. For some people, drinking in moderation can be a viable pathway to a healthier life.
