Does Moderation Management Work?

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), problem drinkers outnumber alcoholics by four times. However, few recovery programs address the beginning stages of problem drinking. Moderation Management (MM) is a national support group and program that fills the gap. With that said, does Moderation management work? Beaches Recovery’s counselors and therapists are experienced in several therapeutic approaches and can provide individuals and those who care for someone struggling with substance use disorder the information necessary.

What Is Moderation Management

Established in 1993, MM is similar to SMART Recovery in that it focuses on evidence-based treatment techniques. These approaches help people abstain from or control their alcohol use. However, MM is unlike abstinence-based addiction treatment programs because it doesn’t emphasize abstinence. Instead, it focuses on helping people who worry about their drinking make positive changes in their lives.

To achieve that, MM empowers people to accept responsibility for their actions. It supports recognizing risky drinking patterns in the early stages. During this period, it’s easier to control drinking. By developing a serious alcohol use disorder, changing their behavior is harder and more costly. Moderations Management is one therapeutic form that’s proven effective for many individuals. At Beaches Recovery, we offer a wide range of therapies, such as:

• Anger management
• Equine-assisted therapy
• EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
• Experiential therapy
• Family therapy
• Nutrition therapy
• Trauma therapy
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Dialectical behavior therapy
• Yoga therapy

Like other support groups, the members who run MM aren’t professionals. They’re regular people who joined the program to fix personal problems and stayed to assist others. Since its founding, MM became the first moderation-based support entry on the NIAAA website. Also, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration lists it as an evidence-based program.

Is Moderation Management Effective?

Although Moderation Management is still a controversial form of treatment, the NIAAA reports substantial evidence that it works. In fact, researchers have studied it quite extensively as a way to cope with drinking problems. Compared to abstinence-only methods, MM can be less expensive, intense, and shorter. In many cases, it’s also more successful than traditional methods for people who don’t have a severe addiction.

Many of those with drinking problems perceive MM as a less threatening step toward recovery than traditional treatment. Most of them avoid those programs because they don’t want the “alcoholic” label. They also don’t want someone to force them to go to and participate in abstinence-based therapy or meetings. Because of that, they’re more likely to join MM before they develop a hard-core dependency.

However, MM doesn’t work for everyone, especially those with significant life problems and moderate to severe alcohol use disorder. There’s no single solution for problem drinking because no two people are the same. For that reason, everyone needs to try different approaches to find one that works for them.

MM may be a good place to start. If moderating drinking is too tricky, you should consider enrolling in an abstinence-focused treatment program.

Discover the Addiction Treatment Available to You at Beaches Recovery

Whether you choose moderation or abstinence, you can find help for problem drinking. We provide comprehensive alcohol and drug detox at our affiliate Tides Edge Detox, which’s medically supervised but comfortable. Beaches Recovery is a rehab facility that offers a range of addiction services such as:

• Men’s and women’s drug rehab
• Residential and inpatient rehab
• Outpatient rehab programs
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Equine therapy

Don’t let your drinking get to the point that you develop a serious problem. Try moderation management to get your drinking under control. Ask Beaches Recovery more about does moderation management work by calling 866.605.0532, or contact us online.