Choices and Drinking
Done With Drinking does not mean that you will never have another beer, margarita, or glass of wine. What it means is that you no longer want to drink alcohol as a means to obliterate your experience of life. It may be that you haven’t tried to change your drinking habits because you believe you have to stop altogether forever. This may not be the case.
Some people believe that stopping altogether is their best choice. In cases where one has caused themselves bodily damage, of course that is the wise course of action. But one probably cannot have this imposed upon them. If it does not feel like a choice, it isn’t. Other good reasons to stop drinking include having incurred legal trouble, engaging in seriously risky behavior, always tumbling into depression, or getting into fights every time one is inebriated. Civic responsibility always demands that one not drive after drinking. Keeping relationships strong, not mistreating kids, and maintaining employment are more good reasons. No matter what choice needs to be made, it must come from a very, very knowledgeable place. You can’t follow through if you don’t know what you think. We will help you get to the place where you know exactly where you stand when it comes to drinking alcohol. From there, you will be in the best possible position to choose.
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There are two factions that represent diametrically opposed beliefs about drinking alcohol. There is drinking nothing, and then there is “moderation”. Many, many people have benefited from the 12-step method of drinking control, which as you know insists on zero consumption of alcohol. Any consumption of alcohol is known as a “relapse”, and the consequences are public humiliation, a sense that you’ve failed, a need for more meetings, and probably a bout with depression. There is nothing wrong with this method per se, but it is simply not for everyone.
Moderation plans such as Moderation Management as purported in the very fine work of Marc Kern, PhD, are becoming more and more well known. Generally, moderation works on the principle that some people are capable of planning how much they drink, and if they can do that, terrific. People contemplating changes in alcohol consumption are probably thinking about all the normal, enjoyable, necessary, ordinary, or incredibly fun parts of life that feature alcohol, and look at giving all that up as akin to curling into a ball for the rest of one's years. We at Done With Drinking would not want to see entire industries wiped out because some very good people need help with the amount that they drink. Likewise, there are too many weddings and graduations and wakes to go to, and drinking something at these events is desirable. But because of the disinhibiting effects of alcohol, stopping after one or two is damned hard to do. Moderation has to be more than a vow one takes before drinking, and a vow one breaks afterwards. We’re here to help with that.
