Drinking in moderation
 

Nobody asked me for my opinion, so dismiss this if you want. But I’ve passed the age of 50, which I think is a milestone for throwing your opinion out and not giving a rip about what other people think about it. (And I suspect that hitting the age of 60 is the point at which a man can were black socks and sandals and walk around the beach with a metal detector and not give a rip). Anyway, one of the things I’m trying to do in my recovery is help others, and this post is meant to be helpful, not hurtful, please take it that way.

I have noticed in several threads lately, that some folks are trying to drink in moderation, and are feeling successful in that. Please understand, I’m not calling out anyone in particular (and frankly I don’t remember the names, just a trend I’ve observed, and If I felt the need to call someone out I would do it in a private message). However, in my opinion, drinking in moderation does not work.

If anyone is able to drink in moderation, then good for you.

But you are on the wrong website, why are you here? I suggest that you do some introspection about why you felt inclined to register on a website called soberrecovery.com which, as the name implies, is about being sober. It seems like an oxymoron to me to post on soberrecovery.com and than try to drink in moderation (an alcoholic rationalization). Maybe there is a website called “drinking in moderation.com” or some such thing, but the people on this website (my generalization, I know) can’t do that.

Personally, I’ve tried the moderation thing many times, along with countless other drinking-rationalization games, and it doesn’t work. For me, it’s pretty much all or nothing. I suspect many of you are the same. Those of you, who post about successfully drinking in moderation, may inadvertently be giving others the false hope that they can do it too. Bottom line, I don’t think anyone who’s registered on this web site can drink in moderation, long term. If you have taken the time and effort to come out of the closet and register on soberrecovery.com, you have a drinking problem, Period. I think the only person you are fooling is yourself.

Drinking in moderation to me, means being able to have maybe 2 drinks socially with friends.

i've seen it lots over the years out with workmates or whatever, somebody has 1 drink, nurses it, then gets another.

Their face gets a little flushed and they leave and don't even finish the drink.

I've never, ever been able to understand how someone can do that.

It just seems totally foreign to my idea of drinking, I've never been able to just have a couple socially, the point has always been to get wasted.

If you can drink in 'moderation' you are not an alcoholic in my book.
I wish I was like that, but I never will be..ever.

Richard

You and I are on the same page in this book!

I get my hair cut in moderation.


Actually, age has slowed me down from doing the stupid crap I might have once considered.

As this is a community of support, and there is only one requirement for
membership (to confirm your email address), what does it really matter?

If i had come here when i was able to 'drink in moderation', then maybe the disease could have
been arrested earlier. If i had listened to the many people here who are working a program of
recovery, then maybe i would have stopped looking for the answears in a bag or a bottle.

We should not try to force recovery on anyone, anywhere, at any time. The people here
who are still using or drinking are reaching out to us. Regardless if they want to stop or not,
i will be here to accept them just as they are and try to help them however i can.

Good point. I understand.

Moderation never made any sense to me; therefore I know I should not try it for the forseable future... It was singularly about getting high and escaping. Flirted briefly with other drugs. Booz got me good. Still in some sort of mourning over loosing my best friend ( who ended up being pretty close to my only friend). It was a possessive jealous relationship with booz not realizing I needed to have a more balanced life. I know this and will reject all future offers to normalize a relationship. If you think you can moderate; go fo it. I am not one to judge... Just relating my experience...

I think some people come here looking to find a way to drink in moderation.

As they spend time here, and get to know us, they often change their opinion.

Each person has to find their own way, and someone who comes here hoping to drink in moderation may be positively affected by what he learns here.

When I first came here, I didn't know what I wanted to do. I still had thoughts of control and moderation.

Fortunately I made the right choice for me, and quit entirely.

I'm glad I met a warm and loving welcome that afforded me the opportunity to make up my own mind.

I'm here to offer my experience to others if they want it...beyond that...I'm not entirely sure that's my business :)

D

I know that I’m powerless over alcohol, and maybe that’s why I don’t understand the “drinking in moderation” mantra. I have friends who have a beer with a nice steak in a restaurant and that’s it. I look at their fancy micro brew and order a diet coke. If I have a beer or two with a nice dinner, I would want to continue drinking when I get home, that’s the problem. Moderation is not skill I (or I suspect most) alcoholics have.

A lot of people come to this site to learn how to drink in moderation. I couldn't begin to count the number who come through the doors of AA to learn how to "drink responsibly." These people realize that they have a drinking problem but are trying to find an easier, softer way to fix it. When you mention abstinence they freak out. Most will eventually be honest with themselves, but right now they're at the early stages of denial.

All we can do here is suggest they look at the possibility they're alcoholics, but very few do that. Some will eventually get it and accept the fact that they suffer from alcoholism, but it takes time. Many more won't get it and alcohol will either institutionalize or kill them. I've never come across anyone on this site who calims they can drink moderately. I've seen a whole bunch who've tried and failed, however.

You're right about taking that one drink. For us serious drunks that would be suicide. It's something that everyone here realizes. Everyone except the newcomer. But don't get too wrapped up about this. I think a vast majority of people will eventually come to the realization that they have a serious problem. It's our job to be around when that happens.

It's not a new trend, it's a reoccurring pattern here on SR, as is people who think they are too smart for AA, people who question if they are true alcoholics, and so many other common struggles. It is the sameness of our struggles that bond us, and help us realize we are all in this together.

And you've said it yourself, NOT trying to point a finger at you. However, everyone has their own path. Part of mine was also trying to moderate. I had to learn.

Thanks for your share. I feel your point is certainly valid.......for me. ;)

I think, for an alcoholic, "trying to moderate one's drinking" is an important step towards realizing that one is powerless over alcohol. For many people, it is helpful to let them create a moderation goal for themselves and then see if they can achieve it. If they can, great (and yes, perhaps they aren't alcoholic), but if they can't - and they are willing to be honest with themselves - then this is powerful evidence of alcoholism.

Some people just need this step (which I think of as Step 0).

So, to all of you out there moderating right now ... set a specific moderate drinking goal for yourself and then be honest about how you do. We are here for you if you want to talk.

There are a few guys i know that try drinking in moderation, they do quite well for a while then they are back worse than ever drinking more than ever, then they come to a couple of meetings and then they have a sudden realisation that they may not be an alcoholic then they are off again on NA beer...and so the cycle continues. They serve a useful purpose as a lesson to others...without them more people would waste many years of their lives more trying to control their drinking. I'm glad they are around to see.

I don't think I have ever experienced moderation even though I have tried on many occasions. Most alcoholics like to think they can/will drink in moderation one day until they prove to themselves they cant.

i guess that if you truely can drink/use in moderation...you wouldn't be on a forum trying to found out how....you would just do it and completely not be thinking about it...