what does safest course for alcoholics is abstinence meaning

by Dillon Raynor 9 min read

With alcohol use, abstinence or moderation are the recommended methods of consumption, since binge drinking and heavy drinking directly lead to problems. Moderation is a nice goal, but based on your physical health, mental health, and addiction history, it may be unsafe or impossible to maintain.

Full Answer

What do you need to know about abstinence based alcohol education?

Abstinence-Based Alcohol Education. Most states have some provision for providing education regarding alcohol use and substance abuse, and many states require students in public schools to receive formal instruction on these issues; see the NASBE database for information on the policies for each state.

Is abstinence really necessary for recovery from alcohol addiction?

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was the first program focused specifically on treating addiction, and complete abstinence from alcohol was the cornerstone of the approach. Therefore, abstinence has a long history of being an entrenched concept required for recovery.

Is abstinence the best choice for You?

Although the decision to pursue abstinence is difficult, it could be your best bet. Abstinence may be the answer if moderation and harm-reduction approaches are not sustainable.

Is abstinence or moderation better for alcohol use?

With alcohol use, abstinence or moderation are the recommended methods of consumption, since binge drinking and heavy drinking directly lead to problems. Moderation is a nice goal, but based on your physical health, mental health, and addiction history, it may be unsafe or impossible to maintain.

What is the definition of abstinence from alcohol?

Abstinence from alcohol involves completely avoiding intake of any alcohol and contrasts with controlled drinking that might help an alcohol addict to become a moderate and non-problematic drinker.

What does it mean to be abstinent from drugs?

Abstinence is used in addiction treatment to describe the process of abstaining—meaning not engaging in, or avoiding—from addictive substances and/or behaviors.

Is abstinence the only solution for alcoholism?

Conclusions: Available evidence does not support abstinence as the only approach in the treatment of alcohol use disorder. Controlled drinking, particularly if supported by specific psychotherapy, appears to be a viable option where an abstinence-oriented approach is not applicable.

Is sobriety the same as abstinence?

Abstinence can be defined simply as physical free from mind-altering substances. Abstinence doesn't address behaviors, emotions, mental health, etc. It just means that the person is free of drugs/alcohol. Sobriety includes abstinence, but also encompasses much more than just stopping drinking or abusing drugs.

What is an example of abstinence?

The definition of abstinence is choosing not to engage in a certain behavior, or not giving in to a desire or appetite. An example of abstinence is a recovering alcoholic that no longer drinks. (r.c.ch.) Abstention from flesh meat on certain designated days.

What is the meaning abstinence?

The definition of abstinence is when you don't have sex. Outercourse is other sexual activities besides vaginal sex. Sexual abstinence and outercourse can mean different things to different people.

What are the advantages of abstinence?

What Are the Benefits of Abstinence?prevent pregnancy.prevent STDs.wait until they're ready for a sexual relationship.wait to find the "right" partner.have fun with romantic partners without sexual involvement.focus on school, career, or extracurricular activities.More items...•

Do you have to be abstinent to be in recovery?

Many definitions of addiction recovery include abstinence from alcohol and other drugs as its central characteristics. Increasingly, however, research on individuals that identify as being in recovery has shown that not all include abstinence in their definitions.

Is it better to abstain from alcohol or drink in moderation?

Abstinence has plenty of benefits, even if it is not permanent. It can result in fewer health-related risks that are normally associated with alcohol. Abstinence can also reset your tolerance. As you drink more, your tolerance increases, so it takes more drinks to feel intoxicated.

How long does abstinence from alcohol take?

Regardless of the reason and goal, 30 days of abstinence is the best way to start. Even if the goal is to cut down, abstinence can assist with lowering tolerance to ease moderation of use, and your body could use the break.

Why is abstinence important for recovery?

Abstinence, on the other hand, allows the brain to reset itself, which gives individuals a fair chance at making a full recovery. Abstinence benefits the addiction recovery process because avoiding drugs and alcohol: Removes all forms of temptation.

What is the point of AA?

Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. AA is an informal society of more than 2 million recovering alcoholics throughout the world.

Bibliography

  • HEATH, D.B. (1992). Prohibition or liberalization of alcohol and drugs? In M. Galanter (Ed.), Recent developments in alcoholism Alcohol and cocaine.New York: Plenum. LENDER, M. E., & MARTIN, J. K. (1982). Drinking in America.New York: Free Press. PEELE, S., BRODSKY, A., & ARNOLD, M. (1991). The truth about addiction and recovery.New York: Simon & Schuster.
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What Proportion of Treated Alcoholics Abstain Completely Following Treatment?

  • At one extreme, Vaillant (1983) found a 95 percent relapse rate among a group of alcoholics followed for 8 years after treatment at a public hospital; and over a 4-year follow-up period, the Rand Corporation found that only 7 percent of a treated alcoholic population abstained completely (Polich, Armor, & Braiker, 1981). At the other extreme, Wallace et al. (1988) reported …
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What Are Legitimate Nonabstinent Outcomes For Alcoholism?

  • The range of nonabstinence outcomes between unabated alcoholism and total abstinence includes (I) "improved drinking" despite continuing alcohol abuse, (2) "largely controlled drinking" with occasional relapses, and (3) "completely controlled drinking." Yet some studies count both groups (1) and (2) as continuing alcoholics and those in group (3) who engage in only occasiona…
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Summary

  • Controlled drinking has an important role to play in alcoholism treatment. Controlled drinking as well as abstinence is an appropriate goal for the majority of problem drinkers who are not alcohol-dependent. In addition, while controlled drinking becomes less likely the more severe the degree of alcoholism, other factors—such as age, values, and be...
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