Can Alcoholics Drink Socially?

There has been a long-standing debate about whether alcoholics can learn to drink moderately. While recovering alcoholics are often advised to abstain from alcohol altogether, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that some may be able to drink in moderation without relapsing.

What Is Moderation?

"Moderate consumption" is defined as 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.

Moderation Management: A Program for Drinking in Moderation

Those who commit to a Moderation Management (MM) program must undergo a 30-day period of abstinence during which they learn strategies for avoiding triggers, adopting healthy habits, and managing future moderate drinking behaviors. MM asks participants to take a realistic look at their drinking patterns and reasons for drinking.

Moderate drinking may be possible for some people who previously had an issue with alcohol, even for those who have joined Alcoholics Anonymous. However, they may not have had a severe alcohol use disorder (commonly referred to as "alcoholism") and may have been "problem drinkers," "heavy drinkers," or "binge drinkers."

Moderation management has been found most successful for those who have a problem with excessive drinking but do not meet the criteria for moderate or severe alcohol use disorder.

Why Moderate Drinking Can Be Difficult

Some people with a history of alcohol use disorder find that they are unable to drink in moderation. When they try to limit their alcohol intake, they are either not able to stick to their limits or they experience unpleasant consequences, such as cravings, anxiety, and relapse.

Here are a few reasons why moderate drinking may be difficult for people with an alcohol use disorder:

• Alcohol dependence: People with an alcohol use disorder may have a physical dependence on alcohol, which can make it difficult to control their drinking.
• Cravings: People with an alcohol use disorder may experience intense cravings for alcohol, which can make it difficult to resist the temptation to drink.
• Loss of control: People with an alcohol use disorder may experience a loss of control over their drinking once they start to drink. They may find it difficult to stop drinking once they have started, and they may end up drinking more than they intended.
• Relapse: People with an alcohol use disorder who try to drink in moderation may be at risk for relapse. They may find it difficult to stay sober, and they may experience a return of their symptoms.

Tips for Drinking in Moderation If You Are an Alcoholic

If you are an alcoholic and you want to try drinking in moderation, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of success:

• Work with a therapist. A therapist can help you understand your triggers, develop coping mechanisms, and create a plan for drinking in moderation.
• Tell your friends and family about your goals. Having the support of your loved ones can make it easier to resist the temptation to drink, and they can be there for you if you need help.
• Set limits for yourself. Decide how much you are going to drink and stick to your limits.
• Avoid triggers. Identify the people, places, and things that trigger your urge to drink, and avoid these situations as much as possible.
• Find healthy ways to cope with stress. Exercise, meditation, and spending time with loved ones are all healthy ways to cope with stress and reduce your risk of drinking.

It is important to remember that drinking in moderation is not a cure for alcohol use disorder. If you are struggling with an alcohol use disorder, the best thing you can do is to seek professional help.