You can cut back on alcohol

latimes.com ^ | 11/16/2009 | Shari Roan

[SonOfDarkSkies]

Research has shown that there are different degrees of drinking disorders, and many people can change habits on their own.

Seventy years ago, Bill Wilson -- the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous -- declared his powerlessness over alcohol in a book by the same name. The failed businessman contended that, as an alcoholic, he had to "hit bottom" before changing his life and that sobriety could only be achieved through complete abstention.

For generations, Americans took these tenets to be true for everyone. Top addiction experts are no longer sure.

They now say that many drinkers can evaluate their habits and -- using new knowledge about genetic and behavioral risks of addiction -- change those habits if necessary. Even some people who have what are now termed alcohol-use disorders, they add, can cut back on consumption before it disrupts education, ruins careers and damages health.

In short, say some of the nation's leading scientists studying substance abuse, humans travel a long road before they become powerless over alcohol -- and most never reach that point.

...

Many of these people need not give up alcohol altogether. The concept of so-called controlled drinking -- that people with alcohol-use disorders could simply curb, or control, their drinking -- has existed for many years. Evidence now exists that such an approach is possible for some people, although abstinence is still considered necessary for those with the most severe disease.

The overall reassessment has been fueled by the groundbreaking National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, the largest and most comprehensive look at alcohol use in America. The project surveyed 43,000 people 18 and older in 2001 and 2002, and again in 2004 and 2005, with the results released in increments beginning in 2006.

[Mercat]

I’ll read this later.

[SIDENET]

Many of these people need not give up alcohol altogether

That's right. I cut back to only one beer per day with no problem.

[DainBramage]

My wife drinks so much I feel the need to join her just to converse on the same level.

God I love that woman, I just dont know what else to do.

[Daffynition]

[BBell]

I don't remember the exact questions that were asked of you to determine if you were an alcoholic but I do remember that I would answer back with this scenario:

I don't drink much and never to excess.

I went to a party with some friends whom I always trusted and enjoyed the company of.

I drunk more than usual, let myself go and ended up making a mockery of myself.

The next day I felt very bad. Between the hangover and the remorse I felt from the night before I could not see going to work or following through with any of my social obligations.

I laid around all day feeling sorry for my self but by the next day I was back to normal with the realization that I was in fact an alcoholic.

[SonOfDarkSkies]

I cut back to two drinks a day (or less) and was shocked how easy it was. I was also shocked at how much more I enjoy the "ritual" of drinking when there is a strict limit on it.

Additionally, cutting back (I used to drink 3 to 4 drinks a day) was incredibly empowering.

BTW, the way I cut back was to first reduce the pace to no more than one drink an hour and then planned an activity that I could move on to after the cocktail hour (or two). I usually lay out reading material on the bedside table or find a good article on-line and set it up on the laptop computer and put the laptop where I want to settle in until bedtime.

What prompted me to cut back was that I noticed that there were times the next day when I just didn't feel as good as I could.

I feel MUCH better now.

[libertarian27]

I cut way back on alcohol.
I drink MGD-64(Miller Genuine Draft-64)

At 64 calories and (2.8%)half the alcohol content of a light beer, I can enjoy myself when out with friends, drink far less alcohol and lose weight at the same time.

It doesn’t taste half bad - and I hate the other Miller products!

[Thrownatbirth]

My AA group laughs out loud at the notion of “controlled drinking”. The results for us are always the same.

[SonOfDarkSkies]

As the article says, controlled alcohol consumption just doesn't work for some folks and complete abstinence is the only solution.

This article is directed ONLY at those for whom cutting back is a viable option and should in no way be used as an excuse to circumvent abstinence by those who must take that road.

[Psalm 73]

"Evidence now exists that such an approach is possible for some people, although abstinence is still considered necessary for those with the most severe disease."

Hmmm, so in order to determine if you can control your drinking or not, you would have to drink - if you are not able to control it you just may be toast.
The expression: "The first time is a gift" comes to mind -
I know some who have tried "controlled" drinking and wound up dead - is it really worth the risk?
I err on the side of caution and just don't drink - although I've had this nasty caffiene habit going on 20 years......

[stylin19a]

my doctor told me to cut my alcohol intake by 20%....
so I switched from 100 proof to 80 proof.

Thank you very much. I’ll be here all week .
Try the liver, tip your waitress, have a safe drive home.

[Thrownatbirth]

and should in no way be used as an excuse to circumvent abstinence by those who must take that road.

The trouble is that alcoholics are masters of rationalization. Every few years when a new study like this comes out, someone I know will decide to "experiment". Did it myself.

[atc23]

"My AA group laughs out loud at the notion of “controlled drinking”. The results for us are always the same."

Indeed, What's the big deal with alcohol anyway? Is attempting to cut back worth the risk associated with the continued suffering and humiliation. I don't like ginger ale either, don't touch the stuff.

[uncbob]

IMHO Alcoholism is generic

THere are 2 types of people with the genetic

1. Those that recognize early on that they have a problem and abstain

2. Those that only recognize they have a problem after they have ruined their lives and those of others and need help because they can;t abstain on their own so they need AA

3. Those that say either refuse to admit they have a problem even in the face of all the misery they cause or can’t stop no matter how many times they say they try and it ends up killing them

[uncbob]

2 should be 3

[csmusaret]

My cousin quit drinking because he is allergic to alcohol. Every time he drinks he breaks out in handcuffs.

[Thrownatbirth]

I only made 7 of the 9 Danger Signals of Alcoholism because, at 13, I didn’t have a wife or a full-time job.

[Vaduz]

The bottle is mighiter than the quiver.

WC Fields

[Conservative Vermont Vet]

In my younger days, I might have been accused (especially while in Nam) of "abusing" alcohol, but now as a respectable Seasoned Citizen, I simply imbibe moderately and can say I have not been inebriated for some 25 years.

I can say that without my 1 to 2 glasses of red wine with dinner, I could survive, but why go through my remaining days, whatever the good Lord gives me, absent the pleasure this little indulgence provides?

I know this is a serious topic, but a certain amount of levity is called for in some circumstances, thus if someone were to ask me if I had a "drinking problem" I think my retort would be: "Nope, I've never had a problem drinking."