General Discussion

nomorenomore08

(13,324 posts)

17. As stated in the OP, alcohol dependency varies a great deal in its nature and severity.

Sun Mar 29, 2015, 10:21 PM

Mar 2015

There's also a difference between psychological (cravings) and physical (delirium tremens etc.) addiction.

I don't doubt that for many people, especially the most severe cases, the ultimate (and perhaps only) solution is total abstinence. But otherwise, there's a huge amount of gray area involved, and people need to find what works for them as individuals. And IMO the all-or-nothing approach of AA and similar programs may turn off some folks who might otherwise be helped. I myself have known several people who managed to cut down substantially on their problematic drinking without quitting entirely.

Actually, to get personal for a moment, I'm currently on Suboxone for opiate addiction, and while I've been clean off of all opiates for going on two years, I do still drink moderately and smoke weed. Certainly the all-or-nothing approach to substance use wasn't for me, and luckily I have an understanding doctor.

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Rethinking Alcohol: Can Heavy Drinkers Learn To Cut Back? [View all] steve2470 Mar 2015 OP

I stopped drinking at age 23 .... Trajan Mar 2015 #1

The vast majority of alcoholics who quit, do so all on their own Major Nikon Mar 2015 #5

I've seen that myself, having known some pretty heavy drinkers who managed to reduce their alcohol nomorenomore08 Mar 2015 #15

I never got to the point where I got in trouble from drinking... backscatter712 Mar 2015 #22

Yes, of course 'heavy drinkers' can learn to cut back, elleng Mar 2015 #2

yep steve2470 Mar 2015 #3

I don't believe that Major Nikon Mar 2015 #6

Please read what Dr. Milam has found, about ALCOHOLISM. elleng Mar 2015 #7

I don't really want to spend $8 just to read a 30 yr old opinion Major Nikon Mar 2015 #8

Alcoholics have a severe addiction combined with psychological factors ismnotwasm Mar 2015 #23

what is BMT please? not clear about the term irisblue Mar 2015 #28

Behavior modification therapy ismnotwasm Mar 2015 #32

Some do, most don't Major Nikon Mar 2015 #33

We are talking about different conditions I think ismnotwasm Mar 2015 #36

'ALCOHOLISM' IS always a lifelong affliction. elleng Mar 2015 #37

Has someone identified the "alcoholic" gene" yet? Is it related the "drug addict" gene? ND-Dem Mar 2015 #40

Both of those claims just aren't that solid Major Nikon Mar 2015 #43

For those interested in facts: elleng Mar 2015 #44

Those aren't facts, they are opinions Major Nikon Mar 2015 #45

Alcoholics do not have 'psychological factors.' elleng Mar 2015 #38

They differ in physiology Aerows Mar 2015 #9

Very much agree BrotherIvan Mar 2015 #13

agreed Skittles Mar 2015 #10

Glad to hear SOMEone agrees! elleng Mar 2015 #11

I do agree there can be a difference between problem drinkers and alcoholics Skittles Mar 2015 #12

Exactly, and that's difficult for many to accept. elleng Mar 2015 #14

I agree ismnotwasm Mar 2015 #26

Yes indeed, elleng Mar 2015 #29

I agree with you... FarPoint Mar 2015 #30

Yes. Thanks. elleng Mar 2015 #31

Absolute nonsense. Alcoholics can and do cut back. phil89 Mar 2015 #46

I drank heavily as a young man Egnever Mar 2015 #4

Seems as if you, perhaps, were psychologically, but not physically, addicted. nomorenomore08 Mar 2015 #16

or maybe he just found better things to do. or maybe his friends moved on and he did too. ND-Dem Mar 2015 #41

A lot of times, alcohol addiction (or other addictions) are a response to stress. backscatter712 Mar 2015 #27

That is entirely possible Egnever Mar 2015 #39

As stated in the OP, alcohol dependency varies a great deal in its nature and severity. nomorenomore08 Mar 2015 #17

I use abstinence ismnotwasm Mar 2015 #19

Like I said, everyone should do what works for them. nomorenomore08 Mar 2015 #21

Yup! ismnotwasm Mar 2015 #24

I've met many people able to quit on their own ismnotwasm Mar 2015 #18

My view may be unpopular with some: I am not a fan of Alcoholics Anonymous. backscatter712 Mar 2015 #20

I agree with a lot of what you say. AA may help some, but it does seem outdated and unscientific IMO nomorenomore08 Mar 2015 #25

I was drinking before I was in my teens, but started the heavy drinking after I turned 18... Ghost in the Machine Mar 2015 #34

my heavy drinking was self medication fizzgig Mar 2015 #35

It's very convenient, you see RedCappedBandit Mar 2015 #42