Can a problem drinker simply cut down?

It depends. If that person has been diagnosed as an alcoholic, the answer is "no." Alcoholics who try to cut down on drinking rarely succeed. Cutting out alcohol--that is, abstaining--is usually the best course for recovery. People who are not alcohol dependent but who have experienced alcohol-related problems may be able to limit the amount they drink. If they can't stay within those limits, they need to stop drinking altogether. (See Question 13 which addresses the issue, "What is a safe level of drinking?") (See also "Publications/Pamphlets and Brochures," How to Cut Down on Your Drinking.) Q #12: If an alcoholic is unwilling to get help, what can you do about it? This can be a challenge. An alcoholic can't be forced to get help except under certain circumstances, such as a violent incident that results in court-ordered treatment or medical emergency. But you don't have to wait for someone to "hit rock bottom" to act. Many alcoholism treatment specialists suggest the following ...  more

It depends. If that person has alcoholism, the answer is no. Alcoholics who try to cut down on drinking rarely succeed. Abstaining is usually the best course for recovery for alcoholics. People who have experienced problems as a result of their drinking but are not dependent on alcohol may be able to reduce or eliminate problems by limit their drinking. If a person finds they cant stay within the limits they set for themselves, it may be a sign that they need to stop drinking.

It depends. If that person has been diagnosed as an alcoholic, the answer is "no." Alcoholics who try to cut down on drinking rarely succeed. Cutting out alcohol--that is, abstaining--is usually the best course for recovery. People who are not alcohol dependent but who have experienced alcohol-related problems may be able to limit the amount they drink. If they can't stay within those limits, they need to stop drinking altogether. (See the question 13, "What is a safe level of drinking?") (See also "Publications/Pamphlets and Brochures," How to Cut Down on Your Drinking.  more

It depends. If that person has been diagnosed as an alcoholic, the answer is "no." Alcoholics who try to cut down on drinking rarely succeed. Cutting out alcohol—that is, abstaining—is usually the best course for recovery. People who are not alcohol dependent but who have experienced alcohol-related problems may be able to limit the amount they drink. If they can’t stay within those limits, they need to stop drinking altogether. (See also "Publications/Pamphlets and Brochures," How To Cut Down on Your Drinking.