However, there are others whose drinking isn’t so severe, but still need help. Substance Abuse is a process; for example, everyone who develops to a full blown alcoholic has gone through stages in which they are slowly progressing towards being an alcoholic. Alcoholism may be thought of as a progressive illnesses for some people. Even though you may not be dependent on alcohol, alcohol abuse can still create significant problems in your life. According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence:
Alcohol abuse is a pattern of drinking that results in harm to one’s health, interpersonal relationships, or ability to work including:
Repeatedly Neglecting Responsibilities: Because of drinking, repeatedly neglecting responsibilities at home, work, or school. For example, neglecting the children, performing poorly at work, poor or failing grades in school, or skipping out on work, school, personal or social commitments because you’re hung over.
Alcohol Use in Dangerous Situations: The use of alcohol in situations where it can be physically dangerous, such as drinking and driving, drinking in a bad neighborhood, mixing alcohol with prescription medication against the advice of your doctor or operating machinery while drinking.
Legal Problems Due to Drinking: If, due to drinking, you are experiencing repeated legal problems. For example, getting arrested for fights, drunk and disorderly conduct, domestic disputes, driving under the influence.
Continued Drinking Despite Relationship Problems: Alcohol is causing or making problems worse in your relationships with your friends, family or spouse, and you continue to drink. For example, fighting with your family because they don’t like how you act when you drink or going out and drinking with your buddies even though you know your wife will be very upset.
Drinking to De-Stress: Many drinking problems start when people use alcohol to relieve stress. Because alcohol is a sedative drug, over time, you will need more alcohol to have the same effect. Getting drunk after a very stressful day more often, for example, or reaching for a bottle after you have an argument with boss, a friend or your spouse more frequently.
Many people who are not physically dependent on alcohol or drugs may benefit from a program called Moderation Management. This is a program which is for people who are concerned about the role drinking has taken in their lives and wish to make a change, but don’t consider themselves to be alcoholics. Moderation Management is a non-coercive program and allows the participants to make their own choices about the path they wish to take to improvement.
What is Moderation Management?
Moderation management may be thought of as a harm reduction approach. That is, the program seeks to reduce the abuse of alcohol or drugs. Moderation management was developed by Audrey Kishline, who found that the traditional abstinence based twelve step programs did not work for her. She founded the program when she discovered that she did not suffer from the problems most alcoholics suffer from, such as withdrawal and dependence from alcohol and being unable to live a relative productive life despite her abuse of alcohol. It is a nine step program that was reviewed by professionals that helps the participants to take action with moderation management and substance abuse, and to evaluate their own situation and determine what path is best for them to take.
How does it work?
Moderation management and substance abuse lead individuals to find the balance they need in their lives gradually. With moderation management and drug abuse, it has been proven that it is possible to change behaviors in people without drastically forcing people to quit. People who have problems relating to alcohol have not all progressed to most severe levels of addiction, and the difficulties many people face with alcohol will vary in severity from person to person. Like all harm reduction approaches, the key to the program is encouraging a reduction in problem drinkers. People who are at risk for abusing alcohol must know their limits. The program emphasizes having people help themselves and have their own self control to take a hold of the problems that threaten their lives.
Is Moderation Management for Me?
Moderation management will not work for everyone who has a drinking problem. It is not good for people who have lost the ability to control their own habits, are dependent or experience signs of withdrawl. For some people, complete abstinence from drinking is the only option. It is definitely up to the individual to determine whether or not the program is the best choice for them.
Because our treatment center relies on evidence based practices, our Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Program shares many common methods with other successful rehab programs. For example, like Moderation Management, the foundations of our treatment program for substance abuse also rely on the principles of harm reduction. However, we also rely on motivational interviewing, stages of change and cognitive behavioral therapy to promote recovery from alcohol abuse and drug treatment. In fact, our Intensive Outpatient Program in Memphis, TN that has been proven to be effective in the treatment of alcohol abuse and drug treatment in peer reviewed treatment outcome studies. Our treatment center provides services to those who need more treatment than one hour a week, but less than 24 hour care, by providing three hours of treatment per day, three to five days per week, in an intensive outpatient setting. If you or a loved one is showing signs of alcohol abuse or needs drug treatment rehab, they should be assessed by a trained mental health professional who can help design a treatment plan that can result in recovery. Treatment for substance abuse can be highly successful. Call us at 901-682-6136 to schedule an appointment.
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