The benefits of moderate drinking

What are the benefits of abstinence versus moderate drinking? For people who develop problems with drinking, the question of which goal is the best one to pursue is ultimately a personal choice. For some, abstinence is the best course while for others it’s moderate drinking. Neither is right or wrong. Furthermore, the question of which path to follow is best made in consultation with a qualified healthcare professional, such as an addiction psychologist.

The easier way out?

Unfortunately, many people believe that moderate drinking is by definition an inferior choice: ‘the easy way out’ that is doomed to fail. Too often, problem drinkers are made to feel guilty if they choose a course other than total abstinence. If they go down the abstinence road, and it’s either not attainable or just too difficult for them, they can feel demoralized and give up.

Failed attempts to completely give up drink often result in heavier drinking than before. It’s important, then, to define what some of the real benefits of moderate drinking might be as an alternative to abstinence.

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