Moderation training for problem drinkers: Treatment techniques and clinical considerations Original Research Article

Moderation approaches for the treatment of problem drinkers differentiate the treatment needs of alcohol abusers from those who are alcohol dependent (alcoholics), thereby offering a treatment alternative to many individuals who have not been effectively reached via traditional abstinence-based models. The purpose of moderation approaches is to help individuals who have problematic patterns of drinking to moderate their use of alcohol and thereby to lessen the negative consequences associated with excessive or problematic use. This paper describes one such approach (Moderation Training), detailing treatment techniques (including assessment measures and informed consent form) and highlighting the way in which the therapist interacts with the patient, the metaphors that are used, and what patients are taught that will support their ongoing success with moderation.