Moderation Management
- What is Moderation Management? (Moderation Management Network Inc., 2004)
o Also known as behavior self-control training or BSCT
o National mutual help system with meeting (in person and via the internet) for those who wish to change their usage patterns and make life enhancing changes Emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility, stability, choice, and empowerment
- How Moderation Management works (Miller & Munoz, 2005)
o Careful monitoring and/or recording of one's drinking
o 30-day period of abstinence (lesson physical tolerance levels, psychological reliance, and to determine if MM is the right path)
o It is recommended that if one is unable to complete the 30-day period of abstinence, another path may be a better option
o Personal and usage goals, review progress and effects of new changes, and continuous personal reflection
o Successful moderation is unlikely to occur if not in the first 3 months
o Not for everyone
o For some responsible drinking, means no drinking
- Success rates (Miller & Munoz, 2005)
o Most common resolution for mild to moderate drinking problems
o 10% of those that attempt moderation are able to maintain total moderation
o 90% experience significantly fewer episodes of abuse and episodes involve smaller amounts of usage
o Those that choose their own path (abstinence or moderation) show a 47% decrease in consumption (Kallmen, Sjoberg, & Wennberg, 2003)
- Characteristics of Successful Moderation (Fletcher, A.
Anti-alcoholism comic book ad
Hall of Abstinence, the east gate and the bridge o...
The moat east of the Hall of Abstinence2001)
o Usage without harm
o Within recommended health guidelines
o Women - 3 a day, no more than 9 a week, Men- 4 a day, no more than 14 a week
o An enjoyable but small part of life
- Common characteristics of people who are successful at moderation (Fletcher, A. 2001)
o Less serious drinking problems
o Women and those over 40
o Psychologically stable
o Well- educated and or steadily employed
o Don't subscribe to the disease model
o Have developed alternatives to drinking
Information
- Canada, Australia, and other European countries routinely offer formal controlled drinking programs (Fletcher, A. 2001)
- "By calling abstinence the only cure, we ensure that the nation's $100 billion alcohol problem won't be solved" (Shute & Tangley, 1997)
- Pressuring people with drinking problems to be abstinent ignores the fact that substance abuse problems exist on a continuum. (Fletcher, A. 2001)
- According to Linda and Mark Sobell, the two most fundamental concepts they have found are the 1) severely dependent people are primarily successful using abstinence-based programs and 2) successful moderation management is seen primarily by less severe cases of abuse. (1995)
- Alcohol abuse alone costs the U.S. approximately 184,636 million dollars yearly (Harwood et al., 1998)