Addiction Coping and Recovery Overcoming Addiction Is Drinking in Moderation Possible for Alcoholics? By Buddy T facebook twitter Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Learn about our editorial process Buddy T Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE on June 05, 2020 John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine. He is the medical director at Alcohol Recovery Medicine. For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Learn about our Review Board John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE Updated on June 23, 2020 Print Hollie Fernando / Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Moderation Management Drawbacks Tips Seeking Healthy Alternatives One of the most common questions people who struggle with alcohol use and try to quit drinking ask is whether they really have to stop forever. Can they learn how to drink in moderation? Can they become social drinkers? Is it true that they can never have another drink? For years, the answer was assumed to be no, there is no room for “just one drink” for anyone with a drinking problem. Today, there are programs like Moderation Management, which do allow for a certain level of controlled drinking and have helped many learn to drink safely. However, these programs are not meant for everyone. What Is Moderate Drinking? “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. Moderation Management Those who commit to a Moderation Management (MM) program must undergo a 30-day period of abstinence during which they learn strategies for identifying and controlling triggers, adopting other healthy behaviors and activities to replace drinking, and managing future moderate drinking behaviors. MM asks participants to take a realistic look at their drinking patterns and reasons for drinking. Moderate drinking is possible for some people who previously had an issue with alcohol, even for those who have joined Alcoholics Anonymous, although it's likely these individuals didn't have an official alcohol use disorder (commonly referred to as "alcoholism"). They may have been "problem drinkers," "heavy drinkers," or "binge drinkers." Moderation management has been found most successful for those who have a problem with drinking but who do not meet the criteria and have not been diagnosed with moderate or severe alcohol use disorder. The Different Types of Alcohol Problems Drawbacks Many people who struggle with heavy or unhealthy alcohol use or alcohol use disorder and who try moderate drinking come to realize that abstinence is the only option. Here are a few reasons why moderate drinking may not work for people with an alcohol use disorder: You may experience withdrawal symptoms when trying to reduce alcohol. You may quickly forget the downside of drinking, including the hangovers, blackouts, upset stomach, and remorse the day after. Once you start drinking, you may not be able to predict or control how much alcohol you'll end up consuming. What Is Abstinence, and Is It Necessary? Withdrawal Symptoms If you have an alcohol use disorder, you may experience a variety of symptoms if you try to reduce or quit drinking, including: Psychological Anxiety Bad dreams Depression Difficulty thinking clearly Fatigue Feeling jumpy or nervous Irritability or becoming excited easily Rapid emotional changes Shakiness Physical Clammy skin Elevated blood pressure Headache Insomnia Loss of appetite Nausea and vomiting Paleness Rapid heart rate (palpitations) Sweating, especially the palms of your hands or your face Tremor of your hands Common Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Tips If you are not living with alcohol use disorder, small changes can make a big difference when it comes to moderating your alcohol intake and reducing your risk of having a problem with alcohol 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, try tracking your drinks to get a better handle on your consumption. Similarly, make sure the drinks you are counting are standard sizes (12 ounces of regular beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits). Of course, this is easier to do at home—but you can try communicating your needs to the bartender or waiter. Set Attainable Goals When you’re looking to drink in moderation, it’s a good idea to 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 The medication naltrexone (commonly sold under the brand names Revia, Depade, or Vivitrol) has been found to help people learn how to drink in moderation by blocking the pleasurable effects of alcohol and thereby reducing further cravings for more alcohol when used consistently (i.e., each and every time the person drinks). With the Sinclair Method, Revia or Vivitrol must be taken one hour before drinking alcohol. At the end of four to six months of treatment with the Sinclair Method, 80% of people who had been overusing alcohol were either drinking moderately or abstaining entirely. Seek Healthy Alternatives One of the best things about moderating your alcohol use is filling those times spent drinking or obtaining alcohol with fun hobbies and activities. By doing so, you may even identify any 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 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. Learning to accept these feelings, and finding healthy ways to distract yourself from them, will also go a long way toward helping you to handle any urges to drink. If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Effective Alcoholism Treatments Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. 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 Speak to a Therapist Online Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.