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Moderation

11 years ago 0 +0 / -0 409

Thanks, Mosty. I'm finding my blog to be a very powerful way for me to follow my own progress. While it makes me feel a bit vulnerable, it's also strangely empowering. I recommend giving it a try...

11 years ago 0 +0 / -0 8

Hi Turquoise I hope you don't mind but I have just read your blog and found it very inspiring I might start trying to keep one as well to focus my thoughts

Mosty

11 years ago 0 +0 / -0 409

Jessica30, that is a wonderful way of looking at it. Very inspiring.

11 years ago 0 +0 / -0 61

For me, I have found that I am a situational out of control freak when I drink. There are times that I can have only one and be fine, and other times when I wont stop until all the booze is gone. I have not been able to figure out what causes me to snap, so it's my opinion that I should simply abstain from alcohol entirely just to be safe.

I have found it easier to do this by thinking of it differently.

rather than saying that I'm not drinking alcohol, I figure I'm NOT adding extra calories to my diet. My body image is more important to me than being intoxicated. I can be fat and drunk, or I can be slim calm and sober.

When I'm drunk I'm more inclined to do unthinkable things to my body (indiscriminate sexual behaviour, over eating, lazy lounging, inconsistent grooming etc.)... In order to respect my body and obtain/maintain the sexy stealthy body that I want.... something has to go... its the booze calories.. plus when I'm not wasted all the time I'm more inclined to get off my butt and walk/run/socialize.

I'm not 'giving up alcohol' I'm getting healthy and sexier....

11 years ago 0 +0 / -0 18

Thanks for the input!!

I too believe it really depends on the individual royhobbs. Digging down & finding the strength to moderate is definitely a personal choice. I know there are those who can find the strength to do it & those that realize there is no grey area AKA moderation.

Splitimage it is really interesting to hear that your rehab runs 2 streams verses just abstinance. Better yet to here there has been success with it.

Turquoise I have been following the progress of Moga & think it is super you are all so supportive of each other.

After 7 years of total abstinance moderation worked for a while for me. Now I'm really not sure if another total break is what I need to get back on track or if I should take a permanent break?? I guess only I know the answer to that!!

Thanks for the responses!!!! Will keep posting my thoughts!!

11 years ago 0 +0 / -0 272

Smiles,

I used to be really skeptical about moderation for really heavy drinkers, until I've seen it work for a few people. My rehab runs 2 streams, abstinance based and harm reduction. I sometimes go to the harm reduction meetings just for extra support between my abstinance based aftercare. In that group, I've seen several men go from being problem drinkers, to being moderate drinkers who are drinking within the safe drinking guidelines. What seems to work for them is being ruthlessly honest with themselves, and counting their drinks and setting limits.

I know moderation doesn't work for me - I crossed that line a long time ago, but I do believe it can work for some people.

Good luck.

splitimage

11 years ago 0 +0 / -0 409

Smiles, that is the same question I am dealing with. Since I joined a month and a half ago, I have posted a lot of my thoughts and research about moderation on my blog. During that time I have been able to drink quite moderately, in large part because of the support from this site. My habits have changed drastically, and I'm feeling super positive about these changes. I am currently going seven days sober as a test to myself to see if I can also choose periods of sobriety in between moderate drinking. My personal success so far is very encouraging to me. I do see that many people on this site are having a harder time staying within the bounds of moderation, despite truly wanting to. I believe that the only person who can know if moderation works, is the individual working through their own problems. And the only way that a person can know for sure if moderation will work, is to try it for awhile and see. If it doesn't work, you will know soon enough. I think the key to it is keeping honest track of your drinking -- being totally honest with yourself. Check out my blog if you would like to see a wide range of my own thoughts about it.

11 years ago 0 +0 / -0 45

I agree with Ashley on this one, it depends on the individual. I think it really depends on why we drink in the first place. Do we do it because it feels good? Or do we do it to escape a specific feeling we're having because we don't want to deal with it and use alcohol as the crutch to avoid it? I know for me, I've used it because I would be stressed out/sad etc and I would binge and drink daily just to keep the feelings at bay until it became to much to handle because it would affect my every day life. Do I think I could go back to being a "normal" drinker? I don't know. If I can get my emotions in check and realize why I drank so heavily then maybe down the road when I'm at peace I may be able to but right now I don't think it's a wise idea. I say think about why you drink and go from there ..

11 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11218

Hi Smiles,

This is a tough question because it totally depends on the individual. For some people moderation is not possible; for others it is. Certain organizations and groups believe abstinence is the only way to recover from an alcohol addiction. We at the AHC think it is up to the individual to decide what works for them.

What do you think would work for you smiles?

It would be interesting to hear what other members this as well.

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

11 years ago 0 +0 / -0 18

A question for the health educators. In your experience, is moderation truly possible for a formerly heavy or binge drinker or is abstinence the only successful result????????

Much of what I have read tends to indicate there really is no grey area. Just black or white drink or not??

Just curious from your professional point of view.??

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