Is abstinence the only answer for alcoholics?
http://www.addictioninfo.org/articles/2183/1/Is-abstinence-the-only-answer-for-alcoholics/Page1.html
Misc Author
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By Misc Author
Published on 01/29/2008
Studies have clearly shown that some individuals who were dependent on alcohol, or who were alcoholic, were able to learn how to moderate their drinking. A well-designed study sponsored by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism found that about 38 percent of people who suffered from alcohol dependence were successfully addressing their problem by engaging in low-risk drinking.
Studies have clearly shown that some individuals who were dependent on alcohol, or who were alcoholic, were able to learn how to moderate their drinking. A well-designed study sponsored by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism found that about 38 percent of people who suffered from alcohol dependence were successfully addressing their problem by engaging in low-risk drinking.By Dr. Michael Levy
Dear Dr. Levy: Do you believe that some alcoholics can learn to consistently moderate or control their drinking rather than stop drinking altogether? I thought that once a person became an alcoholic, he or she could never go back to drinking again.
A: This is a controversial topic, and one that I have closely monitored and studied. I recently wrote a book designed to help people who struggle with alcohol that addresses this topic as well.
Studies have clearly shown that some individuals who were dependent on alcohol, or who were alcoholic, were able to learn how to moderate their drinking.
A well-designed study sponsored by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism found that about 38 percent of people who suffered from alcohol dependence were successfully addressing their problem by engaging in low-risk drinking.
Low-risk drinking was defined as never exceeding safe drinking practices recommended by the institute, which is no more than 14 drinks a week for a man and no more than seven for a woman..
Also, men could not have more than five drinks and women no more than four drinks on any occasion.
Finally, the participants had to be following these practices for at least one year.
When these same individuals were assessed three years later, 48 percent were continuing to engage in low-risk drinking and had been for at least one year.
Another 11 percent drank somewhat more than the institute's recommended limits for at least one year, but the researchers did not believe they were abusing alcohol in any way. And 18 percent of people were abstaining from alcohol completely.
The study concluded that about 60 percent of individuals who struggled with alcohol dependence were able to drink in ways that no longer caused them difficulties..
This study also looked at relapse rates, and found that about 25 percent of these people had experienced some type of relapse during the past three years, but 75 percent had not. And most of the people who relapsed had gotten back on track, primarily by controlling their drinking.
I do believe some alcoholics can learn to moderate their drinking, although it is also true that many cannot and need to achieve abstinence in order to resolve their drinking problem.
What is also true is that individuals who have had more severe problems with alcohol have less chance of being able to drink moderately.
Finally, I must also say that if a person has achieved abstinence, and this is working well, I would not do anything different.
As the saying goes, "If the clock isn't broken, don't fix it." Stay the path and continue to maintain abstinence.
There is much more I can say about this topic, and if you or anyone else have other questions, please feel free to write in..
Send questions about addictions or related problems to: Take The First Step, c/o Essex County Newspapers, 32 Dunham Road, Beverly, MA 01915; or send an e-mail to michael_levy@cabhealth.org. Questions will be answered in confidence by a clinical team led by Dr. Michael Levy, director of clinical treatment services at CAB Health & Recovery Services in Peabody and author of "Take Control of Your Drinking ... and You May Not Need to Quit."
Daily News of Newburyport, January 25, 2008
Dear Dr. Levy: Do you believe that some alcoholics can learn to consistently moderate or control their drinking rather than stop drinking altogether? I thought that once a person became an alcoholic, he or she could never go back to drinking again.
A: This is a controversial topic, and one that I have closely monitored and studied. I recently wrote a book designed to help people who struggle with alcohol that addresses this topic as well.
Studies have clearly shown that some individuals who were dependent on alcohol, or who were alcoholic, were able to learn how to moderate their drinking.
A well-designed study sponsored by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism found that about 38 percent of people who suffered from alcohol dependence were successfully addressing their problem by engaging in low-risk drinking.
Low-risk drinking was defined as never exceeding safe drinking practices recommended by the institute, which is no more than 14 drinks a week for a man and no more than seven for a woman..
Also, men could not have more than five drinks and women no more than four drinks on any occasion. Finally, the participants had to be following these practices for at least one year.
When these same individuals were assessed three years later, 48 percent were continuing to engage in low-risk drinking and had been for at least one year.
Another 11 percent drank somewhat more than the institute's recommended limits for at least one year, but the researchers did not believe they were abusing alcohol in any way. And 18 percent of people were abstaining from alcohol completely.
The study concluded that about 60 percent of individuals who struggled with alcohol dependence were able to drink in ways that no longer caused them difficulties..
This study also looked at relapse rates, and found that about 25 percent of these people had experienced some type of relapse during the past three years, but 75 percent had not. And most of the people who relapsed had gotten back on track, primarily by controlling their drinking.
I do believe some alcoholics can learn to moderate their drinking, although it is also true that many cannot and need to achieve abstinence in order to resolve their drinking problem.
What is also true is that individuals who have had more severe problems with alcohol have less chance of being able to drink moderately.
Finally, I must also say that if a person has achieved abstinence, and this is working well, I would not do anything different.
As the saying goes, "If the clock isn't broken, don't fix it." Stay the path and continue to maintain abstinence.
There is much more I can say about this topic, and if you or anyone else have other questions, please feel free to write in..
Send questions about addictions or related problems to: Take The First Step, c/o Essex County Newspapers, 32 Dunham Road, Beverly, MA 01915; or send an e-mail to michael_levy@cabhealth.org. Questions will be answered in confidence by a clinical team led by Dr. Michael Levy, director of clinical treatment services at CAB Health & Recovery Services in Peabody and author of "Take Control of Your Drinking ... and You May Not Need to Quit."
Daily News of Newburyport, January 25, 2008