I'm halfway through an alcohol-free year. Could you do it? | Lea Emery | Comment is free | theguardian.com: " . . . There are lots of people who aren't full blown addicts but who do struggle to do things in moderation – whether it's booze, cigarettes, sex, drugs or Nutella (or in my case, all of the above). Substances that are addictive are inherently difficult to consume in moderation. That's what "addictive" means. In fact, when you encourage someone who's struggling with an addictive substance to do it in moderation, what you're also saying is "Hey, you know that stuff that makes you want more and more as soon as you have a bit? Yeah, just have a bit!" It's not helpful to tell someone to have "just" a little alcohol if they're struggling with it, just as it's not helpful to tell someone who's dependent on sweets to have just a little cake ... So when you run into a friend who is abstaining completely, whether temporarily for a good start to the New Year or for the long-term, remember it's not a commentary on your drinking and nobody is trying to ruin anyone's fun. Be supportive and treat it as a completely legitimate, if not necessary, alternative for those people for whom moderation is not an option."
Alcohol, Moderation, Abstinence
For an alcoholic, there is no "moderation"--
I'm halfway through an alcohol-free year. Could you do it? | Lea Emery | Comment is free | theguardian.com: " . . . There are lots of people who aren't full blown addicts but who do struggle to do things in moderation – whether it's booze, cigarettes, sex, drugs or Nutella (or in my case, all of the above). Substances that are addictive are inherently difficult to consume in moderation. That's what "addictive" means. In fact, when you encourage someone who's struggling with an addictive substance to do it in moderation, what you're also saying is "Hey, you know that stuff that makes you want more and more as soon as you have a bit? Yeah, just have a bit!" It's not helpful to tell someone to have "just" a little alcohol if they're struggling with it, just as it's not helpful to tell someone who's dependent on sweets to have just a little cake ... So when you run into a friend who is abstaining completely, whether temporarily for a good start to the New Year or for the long-term, remember it's not a commentary on your drinking and nobody is trying to ruin anyone's fun. Be supportive and treat it as a completely legitimate, if not necessary, alternative for those people for whom moderation is not an option."
I'm halfway through an alcohol-free year. Could you do it? | Lea Emery | Comment is free | theguardian.com: " . . . There are lots of people who aren't full blown addicts but who do struggle to do things in moderation – whether it's booze, cigarettes, sex, drugs or Nutella (or in my case, all of the above). Substances that are addictive are inherently difficult to consume in moderation. That's what "addictive" means. In fact, when you encourage someone who's struggling with an addictive substance to do it in moderation, what you're also saying is "Hey, you know that stuff that makes you want more and more as soon as you have a bit? Yeah, just have a bit!" It's not helpful to tell someone to have "just" a little alcohol if they're struggling with it, just as it's not helpful to tell someone who's dependent on sweets to have just a little cake ... So when you run into a friend who is abstaining completely, whether temporarily for a good start to the New Year or for the long-term, remember it's not a commentary on your drinking and nobody is trying to ruin anyone's fun. Be supportive and treat it as a completely legitimate, if not necessary, alternative for those people for whom moderation is not an option."
