Many people in recovery grapple with the tempting belief that they might be able to control their drinking. However, this idea that moderation is achievable after addiction is a dangerous misconception that can put your recovery at serious risk. If you’re struggling with this, it may be helpful to consider the benefits of talking to a professional at an alcohol rehab in Berkshire.
Though imagining a life where “just one or two drinks” is possible can be appealing, that scenario rarely plays out as planned. It’s crucial to realize that relapse is a real threat, and those attempts at moderation can often put you on a path directly back to it.
What Is Moderation, and Why Doesn’t It Work for Addiction Recovery?
When we talk about moderation in terms of alcohol consumption, it generally means limiting your intake to a small, controlled amount. This could be a single glass of wine a few times a week or a couple of beers on the weekend.
However, for someone who has struggled with addiction, the concept of moderation is often a recipe for disaster. Here’s why: Addiction fundamentally changes how your brain responds to alcohol.
It can become a “slippery slope” where those seemingly harmless one or two drinks quickly transform into more and more. This is due to the phenomenon of priming—once you consume even a tiny amount of alcohol, the brain’s reward system kicks in.[1]
This can lead to intense cravings for further consumption, making it incredibly difficult to stick to your initial moderation plan. When those cravings escalate, willpower often isn’t enough to combat the urge to keep drinking during sobriety.
The Risks of Trying to Drink Moderately in Alcohol Rehab in Berkshire
The allure of a single drink may seem harmless, but it can increase the risk of relapse—a return to unhealthy and potentially dangerous patterns of alcohol use. Relapse is serious, and it’s critical to understand the potential consequences that may unfold if you try to “test the waters” of moderation.
Firstly, returning to alcohol use puts a tremendous strain on both your physical and mental well-being. Alcohol has a significant impact on various organs, increasing your risk of heart disease, liver damage, and some types of cancer.[2]
It can also worsen existing mental health problems like anxiety or depression, and it can lead to new issues like insomnia or trouble concentrating.
The risks extend far beyond your health. Alcohol abuse can sabotage relationships with loved ones that you might have spent months or years trying to repair. Family and friends who have supported your recovery journey can feel betrayed and withdraw their support.
Additionally, drinking can derail your personal growth. Goals you’ve worked hard to achieve can get sidelined as alcohol once again takes priority in your life. It can even jeopardize your career, especially if substance use begins to impact your work performance or attendance.
What Happens When You Decide to Test Moderation After Alcohol Rehab in Berkshire?
When you have a history of addiction, cravings can resurface unexpectedly, fueled by stress or emotional triggers. Trying to fight those cravings while allowing yourself to consume alcohol can feel like a losing battle.
For many, moderation attempts turn into binge drinking episodes or lead to uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop drinking again. Research backs this up, too.
Studies repeatedly show us that for those with substance use disorders, moderation strategies don’t work. Attempting to “manage” your use instead of addressing it head-on can have serious repercussions.
Non-Alcoholic Drinks in Recovery
With the rise of health-conscious lifestyles, non-alcoholic (NA) options have become more prevalent. There are sophisticated NA beers, wines, and even cocktails designed for those who want the social experience of drinking without the effects of alcohol.
While these beverages might seem like a harmless solution for people in recovery, they’ve sparked significant debate. For some, NA drinks provide a sense of normalcy. They can help people in recovery feel included in social settings where alcohol is present and reduce the feeling of being an outsider.
However, there’s also a strong argument that they can act as a dangerous trigger, and that seems to be especially true in early recovery. The familiar taste, smell, and even holding a drink can reawaken old cravings and create a sense of temptation.
It’s a delicate balance—some individuals might find them helpful, while for others, they could create additional hurdles in the recovery process.
It’s important to understand that even though NA drinks have minimal or no alcohol, they can still have a psychological impact. For those struggling with alcohol addiction, the act of drinking during sobriety—regardless of the specific beverage—creates a strong association with their past behaviors, potentially increasing the risk of relapse.
The decision of whether or not to incorporate NA drinks into your recovery is a personal one. It’s a choice that should be made with caution, ideally with the input of a therapist or addiction counselor who understands your unique situation and can help you weigh the potential risks and benefits.
Contact Berkshire Mountain Health for Treatment Solutions
The idea of moderation after addiction can be a seductive one, but the reality is harsh—attempts to control your drinking are often met with relapse. Alcohol has a unique power to rewire your brain, creating cravings and lowering your ability to stick to limits.
While it might feel harmless at first, the risk of those one or two drinks leading to a return to full-blown addiction is very real. Long-term sobriety often depends on complete abstinence.
Remember, your relationship with alcohol is personal. What might work for someone else, like NA drinks, could be a trigger point for you. Don’t try to manage this alone if you’re struggling with the desire to moderate. Contact an alcohol rehab in Berkshire County.
Professional guidance can offer invaluable support and help problem drinkers develop a personalized plan for success. If you need compassionate and specialized care, reach out to the specialists at Berkshire Mountain Health for help on your recovery journey.
Sources:
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4549070/
[2] https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-topics/alcohol-facts-and-statistics/alcohol-and-human-body
Alexis earned both a B.S. in Psychology and a B.S. in Family and Child Sciences from Florida State University and an M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of San Diego. She holds licenses in Marriage and Family Therapy in Florida, Connecticut, and Massachusetts and is also a member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).
Alexis works with families, couples, children, and groups and also has a sub-specialty in addiction and recovery. She utilizes an integrated, systemic approach to counseling; empowering people to define what is not working for them in their lives and to discover the possibilities for making life work. In doing this, clients are guided towards identifying their strengths, accessing their resources, tapping into their potential for success, and taking action toward achieving their desired goals.
Alexis also has extensive experience in the administration of behavioral health organizations. She has developed, built, and supervised several facilities encompassing all levels of care while leading them through state licensing and The Joint Commission accreditation process.
