Benefits of Abstinence vs Moderation

Abstinence helps maintain stability and reduces the risk of relapse, and is also advised when someone has SUD, what is Oxford House as there’s a tendency to simply substitute one chemical for another. 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.

What Is Moderation Management?

You know yourself and your drinking habits better than anyone, and putting thought into the decision can reveal powerful insights. It’s also important to remember that it’s not a permanent line between “moderate drinkers” and “abstainers.” You can always reevaluate your relationship with alcohol and revisit your goals. While many people and treatment centers follow the alcohol abstinence model, there are others that argue that drinking in moderation is effective. 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. Of those who were engaged in non-problem drinking a year after the study began, only 48% reported non-problem drinking or abstinence at later follow-ups. At our Ohio residential treatment center, we understand that relapse is often a part of recovery and are here to help you wherever you may be in the recovery journey.

Abstinence vs. Moderation: Choosing the Best Path for Recovery

• This is to say that recovery, for them, means complete abstinence from alcohol.
• Sooner or later, the pressure will build up and the volcano will explode—or you will relapse.
• There’s no clear answer to the question of whether drinking in moderation or abstinence is better for everyone.
• For instance, natural recovery is a possibility for some, where they successfully transition from abstinence to moderate drinking post-treatment.
• Recovery.com uses a standard procedure to make sure treatment provider profiles on our site are current and complete.

For those grappling with the challenges of moderation after recovery, exploring alcohol abstinence vs moderation options such as outpatient rehab could provide the flexibility and support needed for successful long-term recovery. The traditional view emphasizes that complete abstinence provides a clear, unambiguous path to recovery, minimizing the risk of relapse and offering a stable foundation for rebuilding one’s life. We are here to help you change your relationship with alcohol and meet your personal goals, whether that is taking a break, cutting back or quitting. You might wonder if there’s a healthy way to drink, how much alcohol consumption is considered moderate, and how much is too much. If you’re considering abstaining from alcohol, initiatives such as Sober October and Dry January provide you with a way to reset drinking habits, improve health, and reflect on the role of alcohol in your life.

Take the Next Steps:

• You’ll meet hundreds of fellow Reframers in our 24/7 Forum chat and daily Zoom check-in meetings.
• Research indicates that while the likelihood of avoiding heavy alcohol consumption is highest in abstinence-focused individuals, those with moderation objectives were also able to reduce their alcohol use.
• In this blog, Taylor Recovery will explore the considerations surrounding alcohol consumption post-treatment and delve into the factors influencing this decision.

His articles impress with unique research work as well as field-tested skills. He is a freelance medical writer specializing in creating content to improve public awareness of health topics. 2 “Extended abstinence is predictive of sustained recovery.” (July 2008). Moderation management may not merit the exertion or the danger while thinking about the results. If your life has been a wreck on account of your addictive conduct, why take the chance?

However, it’s important to keep in mind that naltrexone will not prevent you from becoming inebriated or drunk from alcohol. Just because you can’t feel the typical “high” from alcohol while taking naltrexone, it does not mean you should drive or perform other dangerous activities while under the influence of alcohol. If you’re looking for treatment, please browse the site to reach out to treatment centers directly. Fair Oaks Recovery Center is owned and operated by Summit BHC as part of a network of nationwide facilities focused on providing the highest quality of care to people suffering from the debilitating effects of addiction. Ben Lesser is one of the most sought-after experts in health, fitness and medicine.

It can be easy to underestimate the amount of alcohol we actually drink. For example, the moderation guideline for women is one standard drink or fewer in one day, but a generous drink we might order at the bar can easily amount to two or three standard drinks. So, even if we think we’re practicing moderate drinking, we might not be. We’ve had more than 50 years and https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/the-importance-of-gratitude-in-recovery/ over 20,000 clients to develop an exceptional program.

• At Monument, you can meet with a physician, such as myself, to discuss if medication to stop drinking is appropriate for you.
• By examining both sides of the argument and providing expert insights, we aim to shed light on whether learning to drink in moderation could be a viable option for those with AUD.
• The results indicated that the chance of successfully drinking moderately decreases dramatically according to the severity of dependence.
• A new recovery is a process that begins with taking the first steps towards moderation management and clean life.
• It can also be integrated into medication-assisted treatment protocols for those recovering from more harmful substances.