Harm Reduction and Moderate Drinking

Want to cut down on your drinking rather than stop completely?

If you’re concerned about your drinking and want to cut down rather than stop completely, harm reduction may be a good option for you.

Harm reduction is based on the premise that any steps taken to reduce or eliminate the harmful effects of risky behaviors such as heavy drinking are steps in the right direction. Unlike traditional approaches based on AA and the 12-step model, harm reduction does not adhere to the “all or nothing” view that  abstinence from alcohol is the one and only way to overcome a drinking problem. Instead of demanding total abstinence, harm reduction accepts each person’s right to choose their own behavior change goals and supports any efforts they might make to reduce or eliminate the negative consequences of their drinking such as moderate drinking strategies. Within the harm reduction model, potential drinking goals might include safer (less risky) drinking, reduced drinking, truly moderate drinking, or no drinking at all.

Harm reduction approaches and moderate drinking strategies are supported by many years of scientific research. Studies in the U.S. and abroad have shown that, with proper guidance and support, many non-alcoholics with less severe drinking problems can learn how to moderate their alcohol consumption within safer limits in order to avoid negative consequences and improve their overall health. Moderate drinking strategies incorporate a variety of self-control control techniques designed to help problem drinkers better manage when, where, how much, how quickly, how frequently, and with whom they drink.

Moderate drinking programs like the one offered by Dr. Arnold Washton in New York City and Princeton New Jersey, offer confidential help for high-functioning men and women who do not want or need to give up drinking completely, go into an alcoholism treatment program, or attend AA meetings. Dr. Washton’s Alcohol Moderation Program offers a practical, sensible, empowering approach that can help you regain control over your drinking and improve your health.

Find out more

To get more information about Dr. Washton’s Alcohol Moderation Program, contact him directly by phone (212-944-8444) or fill out the contact form on this website.

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