Well G'luck with that. I'd just point out there is nobody on this board that has been succesful with moderation and stuck around to tell us about it. Literally none in the 3-4 years I have been here.

Something to think about.

P

If I could moderate I'd drink all the time.


Turn up a stereo to full volume then unplug it. In 2, 5,10 or 20 years later - if you plug it in again, the stereo will come on full volume. That's what alcoholism is like.

Hope moderation can work for you if you try it.

"Planned Moderation", this method clearly does NOT work.
We always end up right where we were or worse.
You are playing tug of war with your mind. It is all or nothing.

I've never read anything on this board where a poster went through the Moderation Management program (at least that I am aware of.) It seems like most people are trying to do it on their own.

It's still going strong despite the tragedy surrounding it's late founder, Audrey Kishline. (Let's NOT go there.) I tried it a LONG time ago. They want you to get acclimated to the program, then start off by doing a "30" which is 30 days of no drinking. At the time, I was unwilling/unable to commit to that, so of course, it didn't work. Then you are supposed to drink "x" number of drinks a week.

There was too much charting and counting to suit me and it was obvious that at the time it wasn't a viable option.

The communication/support was through the form of a listserv. I had uneasy feelings about how confidential that was.

I'm not going to dash anybody's hopes who wants to try it, though.

Good luck!

yea..it seems like me you CANT moderate..
you can't drink...:(.

http://alcoholism.about.com/od/alanon/a/progressive_disease.htm

good you had the realization..I hope your plan works.
This alcohol is tricky....cunning..and evil..

uggg...

Moderation is for Monks

Didn't the creator of the Moderation movement commit suicide???

Just saying...

I have seen some people very successful with moderation. It all depends upon what mix of the 90 genes in the abuse pool that you have. I unfortunately cannot moderate.

Moderation can work for a group suffering from alcohol use disorder and any harm reduction from alcohol is a worthy and valid goal.

A moderate drinker can stop after one, or give up liquor entirely if they have a good reason for it. A heavy drinker, given the right reason, can moderate or stop if needed. The heavy drinker may experience some problems quitting or in moderating and may even die a few years before their time.

However, abstinence works much better for another group of drunks, which I fall into. Moderation was spotty for me and wasn't worth the legal hassles and the threat I was to others and myself caused by the violent drunk that would inevitably occur.

In any case harm reduction from alcohol whether it be by moderation or abstinence is an excellent goal indeed. I wish you well and you have my support in all you decide do in your quest to minimize or eliminate the harm alcohol is doing in your life.

If I could moderate, I would drink every day.
Since moderation is very different than sobriety, I wish you luck. Moderation is successful in my opinion more on luck and living has nothing to do with luck. So again, good luck. Do be very careful.

Living sober***

I've never tried to moderate. My addiction was so out of control that stopping was the only solution for me. Please post your progress as I'm curious. Best of luck.

Progress on Moderation (as requested):
Monday - no booze. Slept like a baby.
Tuesday - had two shots, and one martini. Didn't sleep nearly as well.
Wednesday - after income tax appointment - two shots only. Sleep well, but with bizarre dreams.

Today is Thursday. I think it's going to be a dry day.

I'm going to keep going with this, and keep posting. I'm not willing to throw in the moderation towel just yet.