If you’ve come here after searching on the topic of “moderate drinking,” it’s likely that you’re wondering about your drinking and whether or not you should cut back to reduce alcohol-related problems or risks for problems.
The CheckUp & Choices team has considerable clinical expertise in this area. We have been involved in developing moderate drinking programs for over two decades.
Our scientists have won numerous NIH-funded grants to conduct research on alcohol and drinking. We have published numerous peer-reviewed papers and book chapters. And we have developed online programs proven to help people understand and refine their relationship with alcohol, including moderating their drinking.
Our goal with this 7-blog series is to present you with solid empirical data on moderate drinking without blaming, labeling, or telling you what to do. What you decide to do about your drinking, if you do anything at all, is always up to you. Only you can make that choice.
Blog 1 is this introduction and outline that you are now reading. It sets the scene and tells you what to expect.
Blog 2 on moderate drinking covers definitions of moderate drinking based on solid empirical research over the years. It also addresses instances where moderate drinking or a goal of pursuing moderate drinking could be hazardous to your health and well-being.
Blog 3 focuses on what’s really the most important question to answer about your drinking, and whether it would be a good thing to change.
Blog 4 explains how to accurately measure how much alcohol you actually drink—which unfortunately is quite complicated. This blog gives you a way to compare the alcohol in different kinds and sizes of drinks, it explains the concept and definition of “a standard drink” and this blog provides a calculator tool to give you the results you need.
Blog 5 utilizes a scientific quiz to estimate and explain your likelihood of success in moderating your drinking if you decide that you want to try that strategy.
Blog 6 identifies concrete steps you can take to be successful at moderating your drinking.
Blog 7 covers what you might do if your efforts to moderate your drinking aren’t working.
We encourage you to read these 7 blogs in numerical order as they build on each other, but each blog can be read out of order if there’s a specific topic and blog that you want to jump to directly.
If at any time you want a free, 10-question, clinically-validated assessment of your current drinking and whether or not it is likely problematic, click here or elsewhere throughout this entire website wherever you see the “Free Assessment” banner or button.
If you are ready right now to dive deeper into your drinking and even to change, click here to see and sign up for our proven, self-guided online programs.
