Is moderation even possible?
Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,775
No. I never could drink in moderation
Are there some alcoholics who can?
I really don't know. My guess is an alcoholic might be able to coast for awhile without problems but than.... bang.
He/she starts blowing it with the bottle all over again.
Are there some alcoholics who can?
I really don't know. My guess is an alcoholic might be able to coast for awhile without problems but than.... bang.
He/she starts blowing it with the bottle all over again.
2/2016
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Texas
Posts: 582
Originally Posted by MrTumble 
I do think its possible to drink less, i've kind of done that myself, but the problem is, the drinking pattern remain, i.e. I would still drink every day, just less. The drinking would still be my main 'hobby'in life, even though I drank less of it.
..
Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 216
This comparison between smoking a cigar once in a while (which you don't inhale cigars anyway) and alcoholism has got to end.
What I'm hearing is that, "Hey, that guy over there is an alcoholic and he quit smoking and now he smokes a cigar once a year on the golf course, so I GUESS THAT MEANS I CAN DRINK IN MODERATION."
Alcoholics cannot drink in moderation because either their systems have been physically overwhelmed on a molecular level by long-term alcohol use or they are genetically incapable of processing alcohol normally, but either way they can never go back and drink safely.
What I'm hearing is that, "Hey, that guy over there is an alcoholic and he quit smoking and now he smokes a cigar once a year on the golf course, so I GUESS THAT MEANS I CAN DRINK IN MODERATION."
Alcoholics cannot drink in moderation because either their systems have been physically overwhelmed on a molecular level by long-term alcohol use or they are genetically incapable of processing alcohol normally, but either way they can never go back and drink safely.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 445
Originally Posted by Soberwolf
Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: USA
Posts: 78
Originally Posted by suki44883
Trying to moderate is torture, in my opinion.
Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: East Coast
Posts: 1,882
Originally Posted by steve-in-kville
I realize this is a recovery forum, and the vast majority of us are here because we are addicts, specifically alcoholics. But has anyone ever known anyone that was an alcoholic, and was able to "change their ways" and be able to moderate their drinking?
It seems the "success" stories are far and few between.
It seems the "success" stories are far and few between.
Since numb drunk is really dangerous for me, chasing that possibility is just chasing suicide. not interested in the least.
this is a pointless topic imo. i know i could have just not posted, but when you really think about it...maybe just saying..."I'm struggling with a desire to drink. is there a possibility i could do it in moderation"?
Across the board it's a NO...it will NEVER be a yes. So i'll be the one to say it...i don't think this thread belongs here. imo it's too close to promoting the possibility.
There are plenty of people who are just trying to get through the next 5 minutes without having to have this staring contest thought process.
smfh.
Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 2,950
No, it's not possible to indulge in an addiction in moderation indefinitely. By definition, that's not the way an addiction works.
I can smoke occasionally. I basically enjoy it until I start to get a cough. Then I probably finish up the pack I have, which lasts me over a week, and then I don't buy another pack for a long time. I'm not addicted to cigarettes. Which is not to say I won't have a headache from nicotine withdrawal, but it's not going to make me want to run out and buy another pack.
I can smoke occasionally. I basically enjoy it until I start to get a cough. Then I probably finish up the pack I have, which lasts me over a week, and then I don't buy another pack for a long time. I'm not addicted to cigarettes. Which is not to say I won't have a headache from nicotine withdrawal, but it's not going to make me want to run out and buy another pack.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 1
Hi, I am new here and just read posts usually. I just wanted to mention something though. I just want to put it out there that I can neither drink or smoke cigarettes in moderation.
All it takes is 1 cigarette to make me want one later on. A week later at first, then 3 days later, then everyday until it's twice per day then 10 per day and so on. (This process can take weeks or months to set in).
I just don't want people to think that smoking addiction can be moderated for everyone that's been a smoker.
It can't for me, it couldn't for my brother, and it couldn't for my dad (who must have quit 500 times to moderate it, but just could never stop and would smoke for years at a time after "moderating") who died at 50 of a black heart which was black from smoke (his heart was actually full of smoke and tar) Also my grandad who died of lung cancer from smoking heavily. They had those times they moderated but never could keep it up.
For me, both alcohol and smoking can't moderated and it's dangerous to think they can, or if you see someone who "can" think twice about it. They might be in process of being a full time addict.
I just want to put that out there for anyone who thinks smoking can be moderated by people who were smokers. Please stay quit, smoking took most of my family.
All it takes is 1 cigarette to make me want one later on. A week later at first, then 3 days later, then everyday until it's twice per day then 10 per day and so on. (This process can take weeks or months to set in).
I just don't want people to think that smoking addiction can be moderated for everyone that's been a smoker.
It can't for me, it couldn't for my brother, and it couldn't for my dad (who must have quit 500 times to moderate it, but just could never stop and would smoke for years at a time after "moderating") who died at 50 of a black heart which was black from smoke (his heart was actually full of smoke and tar) Also my grandad who died of lung cancer from smoking heavily. They had those times they moderated but never could keep it up.
For me, both alcohol and smoking can't moderated and it's dangerous to think they can, or if you see someone who "can" think twice about it. They might be in process of being a full time addict.
I just want to put that out there for anyone who thinks smoking can be moderated by people who were smokers. Please stay quit, smoking took most of my family.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 382
Originally Posted by Wintercat
I just want to put that out there for anyone who thinks smoking can be moderated by people who were smokers. Please stay quit, smoking took most of my family.
I quit several years ago and hope it was in time. Praying my husband can kick that habit, too.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 292
Some people can drink in moderation.
The thing is, they don't know they're doing it, they're not making an effort to do it. They don't think about doing it, other than maybe occasionally saying "Nah, I better not have another, I have to go to work tomorrow."
They're not "moderating." That's just their natural drinking pattern.
Some people refer to them as "normies", though I don't really use that term.
Then there is us. I think that if you have to make an effort to "moderate", you probably shouldn't even be trying, because it probably won't end well. Just my opinion though.
The thing is, they don't know they're doing it, they're not making an effort to do it. They don't think about doing it, other than maybe occasionally saying "Nah, I better not have another, I have to go to work tomorrow."
They're not "moderating." That's just their natural drinking pattern.
Some people refer to them as "normies", though I don't really use that term.
Then there is us. I think that if you have to make an effort to "moderate", you probably shouldn't even be trying, because it probably won't end well. Just my opinion though.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Niagara Region, ON, Canada
Posts: 89
Hi Wintercat,
I hope my post didn't offend you, it certainly wasn't my intention to try to play down the dangers of smoking. I've heard many people say that smoking is the hardest thing to quit and I believe them, I know I'm in a very, very small minority of people who quit and never think about smoking a cigarette again. I wish I could say the same about alcohol!
I'm sorry to read about your family. My ex-wife (now best friend) is a smoker and I wish she would quit too, it scares me how dangerous and damaging to the body smoking is.
I hope my post didn't offend you, it certainly wasn't my intention to try to play down the dangers of smoking. I've heard many people say that smoking is the hardest thing to quit and I believe them, I know I'm in a very, very small minority of people who quit and never think about smoking a cigarette again. I wish I could say the same about alcohol!
I'm sorry to read about your family. My ex-wife (now best friend) is a smoker and I wish she would quit too, it scares me how dangerous and damaging to the body smoking is.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 12
Originally Posted by jazzfish
The thing I noticed about people who moderate is that it is because they have a natural aversion to the effects of alcohol, not because they have implemented some plan.
I only have an aversion to drinking when I am 100% sober. As soon as I drink, drinking more sounds like a great idea. I have no natural aversion to the effects of alcohol. I know there are some sources that report a very small percentage of problem drinkers can go back to moderate drinking; but the odds are low, so very, very low, that it is not worth the risk.
I only have an aversion to drinking when I am 100% sober. As soon as I drink, drinking more sounds like a great idea. I have no natural aversion to the effects of alcohol. I know there are some sources that report a very small percentage of problem drinkers can go back to moderate drinking; but the odds are low, so very, very low, that it is not worth the risk.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 3,027
Ha! Just ask around...by definition everyone is here because they failed to moderate successfully. Or they wouldn’t be on this forum. Literally everyone here has tried it. And no I didn’t ask, because one of the definitions of alcoholism is failure to moderate or control drinking.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 12
I should also add that toward the end of my drinking career I was surprisingly able to moderate (3-4 drinks). HOWEVER, every single time I did I felt utterly empty and unfulfilled, like going to a restaurant for dinner without having breakfast or lunch and only eating a small garden salad for an appetizer and nothing else. When I knew I would never be satisfied being a moderate drinker - that's when I knew it was time to quit.
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