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A New Look at Safe Drinking |
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| The thought of actually stopping drinking
can be quite daunting, but is not necessarily the only course
of action. |
| Most people are aware of the abstinence-based
model where problem drinking is classed as a disease and abstinence
the only solution; the disease, called ‘alcoholism’ means
the ‘alcoholic’ can never drink again. |
| If a person has
become physically dependent on alcohol (around 80 – 120
units of alcohol a week), of course it is advisable to aim for
a period of abstinence. However, an alternative approach for
people who might want change without necessarily giving up altogether
is to reduce or control their drinking - the
controlled drinking model. |
| The controlled
drinking model dismantles the conventional view of alcoholism
and accepts that anyone can develop a drinking problem. |
| If the process
of cutting down proves difficult, counselling can help by getting
the client to identify the triggers to their drinking; to manage
their stress better, and to explore other changes they might
make in their lives to help them reduce their alcohol intake. |
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