Algorithm

Fantastic analysis, BB.

That is absolutely not what BB said, Jay.

What is this "most likely" business about? Interesting qualifier that leaves the door wide open to more drinking, whether alcoholic or not, wouldn't you say?

See? Either/or -- howling at the moon, waiting to let the werewolf out.

It may be, but you open up yourself to the possibility of more harm, and if you have previously abstained for extended periods of time, open yourself up to to re-addiction, by trying.

No such "can of worms" exists, Jay, except as a by-product of history, namely the abject failure of prohibition in the US and other western countries. This led to the perverse idea that only certain congenitally defective people "can't" drink, and that everyone else can party at will.

An alcoholic is essentially an alcohol addict, no different than a smoker who is addicted to nicotine, and no different than the dope fiend who is addicted to heroin. Like the smoker, the alcoholic certainly can drink, albeit likely at great risk to self and others.

The only difference is that the alcohol addict threatens society's eons old love affair with the bottle, by highlighting the fact that, while prohibition is not an option, perhaps alcohol is not so benign after all.

Ever wonder why the government requires that cigarette packs encourage quitting smoking entirely, but alcoholic beverages only suggest drinking responsibly? The disease concept of alcohol addiction protects vested interests.

Were there a disease of nicotinism to protect Big Tobacco, as the disease of alcoholism presently protects Big Liquor, cigarette packs would say 'smoke responsibly', and we would still see cigarette advertisements all over the airways. Perhaps one day, society will wise up and ban liquor ads as well.

The problem is historical and sociological. The consumer, whether problem drinker or alcoholic, extremely suggestible to the idea that only a minority of people "can't" drink (and that they might therefore be in the majority!) pays the price. At least until they harm others, in which case society pays the price as well.

Chilledice

I tried moderation and harm reduction......I failed.

Nowsthetime

I tried without even knowing what they were called. I failed miserably too.

CaptainHaddock

I tried moderation and can tell you that, even if you might succeed, doing it if you are a problem drinker is not enjoyable most of the time.

Trying to control your drinking by stopping after one or two but really wanting more is downright unpleasant and left me feeling very uncomfortable.

Non-alcoholics are able to decide "Tonight one drink was enough and I'm not having more" without much conscious effort and not feeling uncomfortable at all. But for by far the majority of us problem drinkers that is simply torture, if sustainable at all.

For most problem drinkers I think in the end abstinence just proves so much easier.