Is Moderate Drinking Possible for People With Alcohol Use Disorder?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsModeration Management ProgramsDrawbacksHelpful TipsHealthy Alternatives

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Moderation Management Programs

Drawbacks

Helpful Tips

Healthy Alternatives

People with alcohol use disorder who try to quit drinking often ask whether they have to stop consuming alcohol forever—or if they can learn to drink in moderation. Until recently, experts saw no room for social drinking or “just one.” However, programs such asModeration Management(MM) now allow for a certain level of controlled drinking and have helped many learn to drink safely. However, these programs are not meant for everyone.

“Moderate consumption” is limited to one to two alcoholic drinks per day for healthy men and one alcoholic drink per day for healthy women. One drink is equivalent to 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits.

Those who commit to an MM program must undergo a 30-day period of abstinence during which they learn strategies for identifying and controlling triggers, adopting healthy behaviors and activities to replace drinking, and managing moderate drinking in the future. Participants are asked to take a realistic look at their drinking patterns and reasons.

The MM approach has been found most successful for those who have a problem with drinking but do not meet the criteria and have not been diagnosed with moderate or severealcohol use disorder.

Redefining Sobriety: The Rise of the California Sober Lifestyle

Drawbacks of Moderating Drinking

Many people with alcohol use disorder who try moderate drinking realize that, for them, abstinence is the only option. Here are a few reasons why moderate drinking may not work for people with alcohol use disorder:

How to Stay Sober

Withdrawal Symptoms

If you have an alcohol use disorder, you may experience a variety ofwithdrawal symptomsif you try to reduce or quit drinking, including:

Psychological

Physical

Common Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Tips for Moderating Drinking

Small changes can make a big difference for someone whose alcohol use is problematic but hasn’t risen to the level of official diagnosis, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Track Your Intake

Whether you carry a physical card in your wallet or use your smartphone, track your drinks to get a better handle on your consumption. Similarly, make sure your drinks are standard sizes (12 ounces of regular beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits). This is easier to do at home, but you can try communicating your needs to the bartender or waiter.

Set Attainable Goals

Designate a few days as no-drinking days. Take some time to decide which days are OK to have a drink and which days are off-limits.

Inquire About Medication

In theSinclair method, the participant takes Revia or Vivitrol one hour before drinking. These medications minimize the endorphin release in the brain that usually accompanies drinking. Because this makes drinking less pleasurable, people are less likely to crave alcohol.

At the end of four to six months of treatment with the Sinclair Method, 80% of people who had been overusing alcohol were drinking moderately or abstaining entirely.

Effective Alcoholism Treatments

Seek Healthy Alternatives

One of the best things about moderating your alcohol use is filling newfound time with fun hobbies and activities. By doing so, you may even identify triggers that cause you to drink—for example, certain social situations, stress from work, or even boredom.

Plan Your “No” Script

Drinking in moderation means you’ll likely need to turn down a drink now and again. Planning exactly how you’ll say no—in a quick, polite, and convincing way—can make it easier for you to stick with your convictions and avoid a spiral of uncomfortable excuses.

Talk Through Urges (aka Urge Surfing)

Whether via self-talk or a conversation with a trusted friend, family member, or healthcare professional, it’s important to talk about your urges and remind yourself why you chose to moderate your drinking in the first place. Accepting, embracing, and then distracting yourself from these feelings in a healthy way will help you fight the urge to drink.

Replace Alcohol

Plan the non-alcoholic beverages you’ll order or make instead of alcoholic versions. Enjoyable, non-alcoholic alternatives include virgin mojitos, kombucha, mocktails, and soda with fresh fruit or lime juice.

Try Other Relaxation Techniques

If you’ve been using alcohol as a way to unwind, try these healthful alternatives:

If you or a loved one have a substance use disorder or addiction such as alcohol use disorder, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one have a substance use disorder or addiction such as alcohol use disorder, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

How to Stop Drinking for Good

8 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Drinking levels defined.Hester RK, Delaney HD, Campbell W.ModerateDrinking.Com and moderation management: outcomes of a randomized clinical trial with non-dependent problem drinkers. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2011;79(2):215-24. doi:10.1037/a0022487Mirijello A, D’Angelo C, Ferrulli A, et al.Identification and management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.Drugs.2015;75(4):353-65. doi:10.1007/s40265-015-0358-1National Institutes of Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Rethinking your drinking.Umhau JC.Conquering the craving: Treatment to curb alcohol use disorder.J Christ Nurs. 2019;36(3):148-156. doi:10.1097/CNJ.0000000000000624Sinclair JD.Evidence about the use of naltrexone and for different ways of using it in the treatment of alcoholism.Alcohol & Alcoholism. 2001;36(1):2-10. doi:10.1093/alcalc/36.1.2Cavicchioli M, Movalli M, Maffei C.The clinical efficacy of mindfulness-based treatments for alcohol and drugs use disorders: A meta-analytic review of randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials.Eur Addict Res. 2018;24(3):137-162. doi:10.1159/000490762Edwards MK, Loprinzi PD.Experimental effects of brief, single bouts of walking and meditation on mood profile in young adults.Health Promot Perspect. 2018;8(3):171-178. doi:10.15171/hpp.2018.23

8 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Drinking levels defined.Hester RK, Delaney HD, Campbell W.ModerateDrinking.Com and moderation management: outcomes of a randomized clinical trial with non-dependent problem drinkers. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2011;79(2):215-24. doi:10.1037/a0022487Mirijello A, D’Angelo C, Ferrulli A, et al.Identification and management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.Drugs.2015;75(4):353-65. doi:10.1007/s40265-015-0358-1National Institutes of Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Rethinking your drinking.Umhau JC.Conquering the craving: Treatment to curb alcohol use disorder.J Christ Nurs. 2019;36(3):148-156. doi:10.1097/CNJ.0000000000000624Sinclair JD.Evidence about the use of naltrexone and for different ways of using it in the treatment of alcoholism.Alcohol & Alcoholism. 2001;36(1):2-10. doi:10.1093/alcalc/36.1.2Cavicchioli M, Movalli M, Maffei C.The clinical efficacy of mindfulness-based treatments for alcohol and drugs use disorders: A meta-analytic review of randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials.Eur Addict Res. 2018;24(3):137-162. doi:10.1159/000490762Edwards MK, Loprinzi PD.Experimental effects of brief, single bouts of walking and meditation on mood profile in young adults.Health Promot Perspect. 2018;8(3):171-178. doi:10.15171/hpp.2018.23

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Drinking levels defined.Hester RK, Delaney HD, Campbell W.ModerateDrinking.Com and moderation management: outcomes of a randomized clinical trial with non-dependent problem drinkers. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2011;79(2):215-24. doi:10.1037/a0022487Mirijello A, D’Angelo C, Ferrulli A, et al.Identification and management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.Drugs.2015;75(4):353-65. doi:10.1007/s40265-015-0358-1National Institutes of Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Rethinking your drinking.Umhau JC.Conquering the craving: Treatment to curb alcohol use disorder.J Christ Nurs. 2019;36(3):148-156. doi:10.1097/CNJ.0000000000000624Sinclair JD.Evidence about the use of naltrexone and for different ways of using it in the treatment of alcoholism.Alcohol & Alcoholism. 2001;36(1):2-10. doi:10.1093/alcalc/36.1.2Cavicchioli M, Movalli M, Maffei C.The clinical efficacy of mindfulness-based treatments for alcohol and drugs use disorders: A meta-analytic review of randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials.Eur Addict Res. 2018;24(3):137-162. doi:10.1159/000490762Edwards MK, Loprinzi PD.Experimental effects of brief, single bouts of walking and meditation on mood profile in young adults.Health Promot Perspect. 2018;8(3):171-178. doi:10.15171/hpp.2018.23

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Drinking levels defined.

Hester RK, Delaney HD, Campbell W.ModerateDrinking.Com and moderation management: outcomes of a randomized clinical trial with non-dependent problem drinkers. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2011;79(2):215-24. doi:10.1037/a0022487

Mirijello A, D’Angelo C, Ferrulli A, et al.Identification and management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.Drugs.2015;75(4):353-65. doi:10.1007/s40265-015-0358-1

National Institutes of Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Rethinking your drinking.

Umhau JC.Conquering the craving: Treatment to curb alcohol use disorder.J Christ Nurs. 2019;36(3):148-156. doi:10.1097/CNJ.0000000000000624

Sinclair JD.Evidence about the use of naltrexone and for different ways of using it in the treatment of alcoholism.Alcohol & Alcoholism. 2001;36(1):2-10. doi:10.1093/alcalc/36.1.2

Cavicchioli M, Movalli M, Maffei C.The clinical efficacy of mindfulness-based treatments for alcohol and drugs use disorders: A meta-analytic review of randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials.Eur Addict Res. 2018;24(3):137-162. doi:10.1159/000490762

Edwards MK, Loprinzi PD.Experimental effects of brief, single bouts of walking and meditation on mood profile in young adults.Health Promot Perspect. 2018;8(3):171-178. doi:10.15171/hpp.2018.23

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