However, sobriety is a spectrum and may not always mean abstinence. Let’s take a deeper dive into the pros and cons of drinking in moderation versus abstinence to see how they stack up against each other. “To iterate this point, no major health organization has ever endorsed a risk-free level of alcohol consumption, and this study supports that stance by highlighting potential biases in previous research,” he said. Many observational studies have previously suggested that moderate drinkers live longer and face fewer health issues than non-drinkers.
Pros of Moderate Drinking
- He also explains that the potential benefits are poorly studied and that the possible long-term benefits are outweighed by the more immediate health problems caused by binge drinking.
- Opting for a life without alcohol offers a range of benefits, but it’s important to recognize its unique challenges.
- Melody is here to help as you adjust to a life with less (or no) alcohol.
I have also moved to alcohol free wine, and I wrote more in depth about it here. I only drink that on VERY rare occasions (maybe one or twice a year) and I only drank it AFTER reversing my fatty liver. I personally never drank any beer or wine (even with 0% alcohol) until it was confirmed, 1.5 years after being diagnosed, that I have reversed my fatty liver. I stopped drinking alcohol as soon as I learned that I shouldn’t have it anymore can an alcoholic drink moderately and I haven’t touched it since. Finally, we come to one of the most important reasons to consider as we choose our path.
Lifestyle Quizzes
This essentially improves your physical health and enables your body to recover from the physical side effects of alcohol use disorder. During a Moderation Management program, a participant is not allowed to drink for 30 days. During this time, they learn tips to identify triggers and find healthy behaviors to replace them, and come to understand past drinking patterns, so they know how to avoid these moving forward. The program also asks those in attendance to consider the reasons behind their drug addiction treatment drinking problem and why they want to start drinking in moderation. By limiting your alcohol intake you’re lowering your risk of certain health conditions, including cardiovascular and liver disease. It also helps to regulate your blood pressure and improve your cognitive functioning.
Is Drinking in Moderation Possible for Alcoholics?
A standard drink is defined as a 12-ounce bottle of beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, or a cocktail that contains 5 percent alcohol. By following this marker of moderate drinking, you can mentally take note and pace yourself when alcohol is involved. In conclusion, the question of whether an alcoholic can ever drink again does not yield a straightforward answer. Instead, it invites a deeper reflection on the nature of addiction, the potential for human resilience, and the importance of personalized recovery paths. The decision to pursue controlled drinking or commit to total abstinence is deeply personal and should be made with careful consideration of the individual’s circumstances, risks, and support systems. What remains clear is the need for compassion, understanding, and ongoing support as individuals navigate the complex journey of recovery from alcoholism.
- But while the brain chemistry behind alcohol’s effects is the same for everyone, in some people the “pull” is stronger than in others.
- Moderated drinking could give you the space to address those issues you’ve been pushing aside.
- Those odds were 89 percent higher for former heavy drinkers and 60 percent higher for moderate drinkers.