FT, isn't nephalist synonymous with teetotaler? If I understand the word correctly then, there wouldn't be degrees of nephalism right? You either would be, or you wouldn't be. Is the adjective "advanced" a reference to your age and not meant to modify the noun "nephalist"?
While I understand and appreciate your musings, a true nephalist would wouldn't entertain the idea of moderation, since it involves drinking, which is not something a nephalist ever does.
Even if someone had a crystal ball and could guarantee that I could drink in moderation, I wouldn't. My life and my thinking surrounding being completely free of substances goes much farther than "could I avoid consequences?". Even just a tiny buzz can create disconnect within me, so moderating and just getting that warm feeling from alcohol and then stopping, that's not even something I desire any more.