Comments on: Can Some Problem Drinkers Keep Drinking?

A New Movement Says Moderation Is the Key For Some People Rather Abstinence

[steinberger1]

I have in my practice seen many people resolve their drinking problems by moderating, and many more finally abstaining from alcohol after trying moderation. There is more success in helping people find their own path through the initial ambivalence to change, than in forcing goals that they initially reject and so stimulate resistance (often mislabled as denial).
MM regards people as successful if they no longer have a problem with alcohol, whether they abstain or moderate.
And as to Kishline's lawyer's comments - what would one expect from a lawyer trying to get their client the lightest sentence. I knew Audrey and she was dishonest with us and herself. She could have checked herself into a hospital or called someone from MM. She faked her success and now blames MM for her mistakes. Please feel compassion for her. MM didn't work for her, but works for others. Kishline still seeks the same attention she tried to get by running MM singlehandedly rather than sharing the work with others.
Reader - IF YOU ARE IN TROUBLE WITH ALCOHOL OR DRUGS and need a supplement to your 12-Step work or an alternative to that approach, please go to www.smartrecovery.org, and check our a science based program for a change.

[steinberger1]

I have in my practice seen many people resolve their drinking problems by moderating, and many more finally abstaining from alcohol after trying moderation. There is more success in helping people find their own path through the initial ambivalence to change, than in forcing goals that they initially reject and so stimulate resistance (often mislabled as denial).
MM regards people as successful if they no longer have a problem with alcohol, whether they abstain or moderate.
And as to Kishline's lawyer's comments - what would one expect from a lawyer trying to get their client the lightest sentence. I knew Audrey and she was dishonest with us and herself. She could have checked herself into a hospital or called someone from MM. She faked her success and now blames MM for her mistakes. Please feel compassion for her. MM didn't work for her, but works for others. Kishline still seeks the same attention she tried to get by running MM singlehandedly rather than sharing the work with others.
Reader - IF YOU ARE IN TROUBLE WITH ALCOHOL OR DRUGS and need a supplement to your 12-Step work or an alternative to that approach, please go to www.smartrecovery.org, and check our a science based program for a change.

[goodidstaken]

I'd just like to respond to some a few comments left by others.

"If you have to count the amount you drink...guess what...you have a problem...."

Well, if you're counting your drinks, moderating, not letting alcohol consumption effect your life negatively (health, relationships, etc.), then what is the problem exactly?

Problems drinking is not as black an white as many like to make it out to be. Yes, many have serious problems, and abstinence may be the only answer. I think though there are a larger number of people that overconsume alcohol, but don't fit the alcoholic mold of driving drunk, drinking to high levels of intoxication, being abusive or irresponsible, waking up with hangovers, or other stereotypes, and for the most part get by in life pretty well without ever going toward some kind of "bottom". These people may be able to find support in MM. It's not for everybody though.

[sammybear3]

I drink for 13 years. When to AA for 13 years, loved it. Now I've been drinking for 5 years, plan on drinking for a finite time, will quit again someday. I like drinking but don't fret too much about it. No OCB. I think less is better, the first drink is the best and each one after that is not as enjoyable. I hate getting drunk. I enjoy the effect of a little bit. I stick mainly to red wine, about an average of two drinks a day with counting four to a bottle. Take it easy.

[dook1033]

And even further information regarding the founder of MM:

Kishline's lawyer, John Crowley, announced, "The accident and the subsequent intensive alcohol treatment she has undergone have made Kishline realize that moderation management is nothing but alcoholics covering up their problem."

[choklyteyes]

My comment was actually an excerpt from an article I read...thought it pretty well summed it up.

[choklyteyes]

The practice of medicine IS the practice of harm reduction. It is a fundamental principle of medical care that the patient has the right to disagree, to be non-compliant, to choose a path or a goal other than the one we might desire for them. The physician%u2019s job is to do everything possible to help such a patient do the best he can, to minimize harm since, at least temporarily, it cannot be eliminated. Only in addiction medicine is it insisted that patients and staff hew to a %u2018philosophy%u2019 of %u2018total abstinence%u2019 rather than support appropriately individualized goals.

To refuse to work with a patient because he or she will not accept our goals for them, to not inform patients of legitimate treatment alternatives when such exist, to refuse to try legitimate alternative treatments when a particular approach has repeatedly failed because to do so would violate some %u2018philosophy%u2019 of treatment, all such behavior constitutes sub-standard medical care. This is true whether it takes place on an alcohol rehabilitation unit or an asthma ward.

[roysmith5]

There is a book that convinced me there is a way to be able to eliminate craving and to control my drinking. It was written by a former alcoholic who has obviously been there.
The book is at www.northernlightshealth.com
The web site says,
"I am not driven to drink or helpless and without hope. I can easily control it because I can remove the internal requirement to drink. I can turn it off like a switch, or I can turn it down to a tolerable level that puts me in control. I can have a drink or two and easily stop; or I can easily choose to drink nothing. I am completely comfortable and without the constant effort and vigil that used to be required to try to control the desire for drink."
The book is short and easy to read. It totally worked for me.
I found it online at www.northernlightshealth.com

[johntarleton-2009]

I was married to an alcoholic for 13 years. It was miserable. His drinking affected more people than just him, and now my kids have to see him and his alcoholic live in girlfriend drink.

I feel sorry for someone who has a problem with alcohol.

I am proud when someone can control the habit. I don't agree with moderation control if you have a true addiction. I believe, that if you have to plan when you can and can't drink, that you have a true addiction. If this is the only way you can control your intake, I am glad for you. I just believe that you are just a step away from being out of control.

[gmcnally2]

Maybe they should change the name from MM to 'Functional Alcoholics'

We all make choices, not everything is black and white. Everyone is different. Do what works for you, do not worry about what others think or labels.