Customer Reviews

Responsible Drinking: A Moderation Management Approach for Problem Drinkers

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I found Moderation Management through their website (moderation.org), which is where I learned about this book. I highly reccomend MM for anyone who is a little concerned about their drinking, but doesn't think they need to go to AA. This book was eye-opening for me. If you are concerned, why not give MM a shot and see if doing 30 days of abstinence (the first step of MM) does anything for you? It might teach you how to moderate your drinking, it might teach you that you need to abstain forever in an abstinence-based program like AA, or it might just open your eyes and make you re-evaluate alcohol's place in your life.

The book has easy-to-digest anecdotes and exercises. I left my copy in the living room and did a chapter at a time over a week. I would fill in the exercises, but often, reading this book would spurn more thoughts and reflections about my life that I would record in a blank journal. This was a great companion for the 30-days of trial abstinence that Moderation Management advocates. It really made me think critically about my life. The experience has been excellent for me and I encourage others who are questioning to try it for themselves.

I am an alcoholic, in recovery, 10 months. I can tell you from my experiance that every alchoholic dreams of being able to drink in moderation: both so that they can continue to drink, and to not have to deal with the pitfalls of being an alcoholic.


When I drank, I was deseperately working to find a way to control my intake (particularly after waking up face down in my bathtub): I did not want to give up the gourmet beers I loved so much. In my case, I imbibed way too much for about four years, so I was not too far into the stages of alcoholism--i found something I liked the taste and effects of, and simply got too wrapped up and could not get out.

Dad did not use his belt, mom did not terrorize me, and I was never molested. I had lots of friends and a good creative life, so when drinking, I was not anestetizing. But I could not cut back to safe levels.

That is why I say I am an alcoholic. If you are a problem drinker, this might be the right approach for you. But if you are going to try this, PLEASE, PLEASE be very careful and honest with yourself. It is too easy to use "moderation" as a platform to keep drinking, and if you are an alcoholic, your drinking will get worse. Trying to decide if you are an alcoholic or just a problem drinker is a very dangerous game to play, because you have so much vested in drinking.

If you have found success with Moderation Management, I give you a big hats off--you have an ability I wish I had. If that is so, I hope you relish joyfully in your beverage of choice. I'd love a cold belgan blonde right now but for me, the risk is too great.

I discovered it is liberating not to have to play the games of "how much can I drink," or "I'll be ok to drive if I just have this much." Not doing this frees me from this whole needling process, and lets me do more of what I want to do besides drinking.

If you are considering this book you probably feel you are stumbling a bit on--what can be for some--a very dangerous slope. If you can really moderate, that is great, but you may what to ask yourself: why does alcohol mean so much to me that, though its causing me a problem, i want to go through a whole program so I don't have to stop using it. I am not saying stop, but it is an interesting question to probe


It is a option: there is no right or wrong here, other than what works for you and what does not. When I stopped, I started with AA. It was a good catalyst to get my sobriety rolling, but I found the group mentality and religious overtones counter-intuitive. I did not find God, I did not become a do-gooder or goody two shoes, and I did not restructure my personality. I still smoke like a chimney, curse like a (sober) sailor, love my blasting rock and roll, and I don't think I have the solution for anybody except me. I simply wanted, and got back, my music and my writing and my happy-go-lucky idiocy: all the things that were mine that were stolen by the booze.

Moderating or abstaining is a practical choice, not a moral one. But please, when choosing , understand your limitations.


I review daily and check comments. If I can be helpful to anyone in this area, please leave me a note and I'll be more than happy to write back and help any small way I can.

This book is based entirely on sound scientific research by the Sobells and many others, and has assuredly saved and improved many lives, including my own.

Nothing here about "Revealed truths" from some vague "Higher Power," just firmly established scientific facts and the techniques needed to reduce or eliminate one's consumption of alcohol.

There is no need to substitute an addiction to a religious cult like AA for an addiction to alcohol.

This book shows that people can get up and get on with their lives.

Anyone who has questioned or been surprised about the amount they drink will not feel alone after reading this book.

I have been known to binge drink mainly for social lubrication. This author defines responsible drinking as four drinks max per occasion or per day/14 per week for men and three drinks max per occasion or per day/9 per week for women.

The author also suggests a trial 30 days of abstinance to kind of clear your system of alcohol and also to test how strong your addiction is. I think this system can work but after what happened to Audrey Kishline(founder of the Moderation Management system...she killed two people in 2000 in a drunk driving collision)...I have some doubts. But I have heard of people becoming moderate drinkers and sticking with it the rest of their lives.

The book also has a self-test at the front to see where you lie on the alcohol addiction spectrum. I was a 10 which is borderline low addiction/medium addiction.

This is an extremely beneficial book for those who feel their alcohol consumption needs moderating. There are no judgement calls or hard sells, just honest, practical advice and alternatives for those who wish to implement them.

This book is an excellent tool for anyone concerned about their drinking habits, yet doesnt feel the need for AA.
I believe it is beginning to help me make some lifestyle changes for the good.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who has any doubts about their drinking or another family member or friend.

AA is not for everyone, despite what you may hear. If the 12-step cookie cutter approach leaves a bad aftertaste, this book may help.

It's true that one of the founders did drive drunk and kill someone. What one of the reviewers fails to mention is that it was after she had returned to A.A. and was practicing abstinence.

A.A. does work. For about 5 percent of those try it, (according to AA's own studies), but there are alternatives for those not sold on the Big Book.

Very good guideline for those who want to moderate and act responsibly but not quit completely or go to AA land. (sorry don't mean to offend). Excellent information and tools, also there are really good MM (moderation management) websites that offer support and encouragement.

MM is a self help program. This "workbook" is the best. I have read several books on this subject. But this one stands a head above the others. Responsible Drinking taught me how to change my behavior when it comes to alcohol.