Dr Linda Helps - Not everyone believes that abstinence is the only way when it comes to drinking alcohol. One such self-help group is called Moderation Management (MM). It is not a self-help group for alcoholics, chronic drinkers, former dependent drinkers, or those who have severe withdrawal when they stop drinking. The target group is problem drinkers who have mild to moderate alcohol-related problems.

MM asks this question, “Is drinking moderation a reasonable goal for you?” MM’s focus on problem drinkers is based on research that reports four times as many problem drinkers than alcoholics in this country. MM addresses drinking problems before they have a chance to develop into severe states.

Problem drinkers typically avoid programs that label them as alcoholics. MM can be a first step in addressing drinking problems. About a third of those in MM go on to abstinence-based programs. They can stay in MM and choose abstinence as a personal goal, or join another program.

Here are basic ideas about MM:

· People encourage others to cut back or quit drinking before drinking becomes a serious problem.

· People learn moderate drinking guidelines and limits that include self-management strategies.

· Alcohol abuse is a learned habit for problem drinkers. It is not a disease.

· An early option for problem drinkers is moderation.

· Abstinence is the choice for severely dependent drinkers.

· Moderation is a reasonable goal for many people.

· You must be personally responsible for your recovery.

· Mutual help is beneficial.

· Self-esteem issues such as respect and dignity are important.

· The goal of harm reduction is reasonable for some people.

· You must want to change your behavior.

Obviously, people who support AA have a difficult time with this approach because it doesn’t embrace abstinence for all people, nor is it based on a disease model. Yet people are willing to try this approach, especially young people whose drinking has not become chronic and severe. And some believe that MM fits the biblical prescription for moderation in all things.