Seperate forum for people considering and attempting moderation?

[NewBeginning010]

Hi SR Team,

Firstly, thanks again for this great site it has been invaluable to my sobriety & thousands of others... thank you.

There seems to be a high volume of new comers that seem to want to consider & discuss the option of moderating their drinking in the new comers section. For a normal drinker this is a logical concept but for an alcoholic this could be a life or death situation. This especially concerns me when this is being discussed in the newcomers section.

I was wondering if it would be valuable to have a separate forum with some "stickies" and links about moderation to give people that are considering this "option" the opportunity to post, share & learn from their experiments outside of the newcomers to recovery forum. This would also give people considering this an ongoing history of the results that others have had in the same forum (all in one place) via other posts/threads.

Of course we would still welcome & respond positively to all posts in the newcomers section but could then share the link to the "Moderation" forum where members could then get into all of the questions, success stories, failures etc. regarding moderation. I am very concerned for all of the struggling alcoholics that come here for life saving support & get the idea that "maybe I can moderate my drinking too"

Anyway, just a thought I had after reading one of the many threads that we have with moderation questions/discussions (I also had the "hmmmm maybe I can do that"... thought).

Thanks again for all your support in these forums, it is very much appreciated.

Take Care

NB

P.S. This post is not directed at any specific person on our forums, this is a post out of deep concern for alcoholics that may consider this option if it is repeatedly discussed in the newcomers & alcoholic forums. Thank you for your consideration.

[Morning Glory]

I hear you and understand your concerns. Our main focus here is sobriety. Moderation comes up from time to time, but that's not our main purpose. I am against opening a forum for moderation and I'm pretty sure the rest of the moderators would be against it also.

I will discuss your concerns with the moderators.

[Jules62]

When I first joined SR two years ago-I wasn't ready to accept I was an alcoholic.If I had found a forum that said maybe I should try MM?I'd have run with it and possibly never stopped.The fact that the founder of this organisation (MM)got caught DUI and killed people says it all really.She's even admitted she thinks MM was a cover for alcoholics who wouldn't admit they had a problem.I'd be really sad to see SR include anything like this.It's not what SR is about IMO.

I think it's good people come here and question if they have a problem or not.This is possibly one of the best places for it.But I would be very sad to see anything here encourage people to try maintain or moderate a problem that can lead to their death.I don't think that's the spirit of SR at all and I'm so glad it was never like that when I joined.I wouldn't be here today.

Jules

[Bamboozle]

I don't think there should be a section for moderation.

I was in denial for the longest time even after being here for several months and in my opinion it is dangerous to suggest moderation. I believe that no one stumbles onto this site by mistake. This is a place where people can come and figure out if recovery is the answer.

[NewBeginning010]

Just to be clear... I am not a supporter of Moderation programs. My concern is the fact that it seems to be consistantly coming up on the newcomers forum.

The thought was to have a thread to point/send them to discuss their moderation so that it doesn't affect newcomers looking for help.

At least I know the moderation story now & where their forum is so that I can direct them there for their experiments.

If the moderators have any ideas on how to best handle these threads feel free to share.

Thanks,

NB

[Dee74]

Actually NB the rules here clearly state

We do not allow links to other blogs or forums in posts anywhere on the forum.

Google is everybody's friend

Sorry but I'm not in favour of the idea.

* There are already sites and forums for moderation.

* Without coming down on one side or the other - if people are being triggered already by threads, a whole forum is a really bad idea, surely?.

* As things stand now SR is open to anyone. We have the policy of tolerance and respect for all viewpoints…and I like that people thinking of moderation have access to, and are challenged by, the 'opposing view' of those of us who have tried that and failed miserably.

* From a logistical standpoint too, I think recent threads suggest a moderation forum here could be a ‘red hot’ zone and, frankly, I’m not sure we as a group need that.

* Creating a forum here could be seen as legitimising the approach. I'm not sure many here would be happy with that.

D

[Jules62]

If the moderators have any ideas on how to best handle these threads feel free to share.

I'm fairly certain the moderators have been handling this well for quite some time.You haven't been here long enough maybe to realise.But It's always good to air things that concern you.

[NewBeginning010]

Originally Posted by Dee74

Actually NB the rules here clearly state


Google is everybody's friend

Sorry but I'm not in favour of the idea.

* There are already sites and forums for moderation.

* Without coming down on one side or the other - if people are being triggered already by threads, a whole forum is a really bad idea, surely?.

* As things stand now SR is open to anyone. We have the policy of tolerance and respect for all viewpoints…and I like that people thinking of moderation have access to, and are challenged by, the 'opposing view' of those of us who have tried that and failed miserably.

* From a logistical standpoint too, I think recent threads suggest a moderation forum here could be a ‘red hot’ zone and, frankly, I’m not sure we as a group need that.

* Creating a forum here could be seen as legitimising the approach. I'm not sure many here would be happy with that.

D

Thanks Dee, I get where you are coming from & I totally agree with the point in bold above regarding opposing views & challenging the theory.

Take Care,

NB

[smacked]

Add me to the group that would absolutely oppose a moderation management forum here, it's practically what we already have... and it's hard to read.

If people can moderate their drinking, they don't need a sobriety or recovery site.. much less a program.. (ok ok that's full of opinion).

one more no vote.

[least]

If I could moderate my drinking, I wouldn't be here. Just my opinion...