Table of Contents
Foreword xv
Preface xx
Acknowledgments xxii
Introduction: Get Ready for Change xxiii
Chapter 1 Not Everybody Who Drinks Has A Problem 1
Who Is Drinking in the United States? 3
Spectrum of Alcohol Use 3
Chapter 2 Why Are All Alcohol Users Treated The Same? 14
Call for Change to the Treatment System 16
Abstinence Is Not the Only Goal 17
The Importance of Why 18
Why People Avoid Getting Help 19
Moderate Drinking Research 20
Harm Reduction 22
Moderate Drinking 25
Beyond Alcoholics Anonymous 26
Moderate Drinking Defined 28
What is a standard drink? 28
Chapter 3 Self-Assessment 32
Functioning Alcoholic? 33
DSM-5 Diagnosis 34
Cost/Benefit Analysis 39
Moderation Resources 44
Chapter 4 What Does Alcohol Do To Our Bodies? 47
Central Nervous System 48
Chronic, Progressive, Fatal 49
Brain 50
Cardiovascular System 52
Liver and Pancreas 52
Immune System 53
Pregnancy 54
Driving 54
Donuts? 55
Chapter 5 Are You Ready To Make A Change? 58
Stages of Change 59
Precontemplation 59
Contemplation 61
Preparation 62
Action 64
Maintenance 64
Chapter 6 You Want Me to Do What? 69
Why Four Months? 70
Getting SOBER 73
Managing Risky Situations 79
Managing Cravings 81
Chapter 7 Taking and Interpreting the Quiz 87
How Do I Know If I Can Keep Drinking? Quiz 87
Interpreting the Quiz 89
Age of First Drink 89
How Many 91
Medical Issues 92
Consequences 94
Blackouts 95
Why 96
Impact 97
Supports 98
Mental Health 99
Other Drug Use 100
Legal, Probationary, or Work Issues 100
Withdrawals 101
Period of Abstinence 101
Accountability 103
Chapter 8 Moderate Drinking Plan 107
Moderate Drinking Plan 109
Preparing To Drink Again 111
Quick Check For Success Of Moderate Drinking Plan 113
Moderation Tools 117
Tangible Reminders 119
Would You Like a Drink? 120
Chapter 9 How Do I Maintain This? 124
Relapse Reality Quiz 125
Defining Relapse 125
Clarifying Myths About Relapse 126
Preventing Relapse 135
Chapter 10 Paths To Recovery 142
Detox 143
Rehab 143
Interventionist 144
IOP 145
Transitional Living 145
Co-Occur ling or Dual Diagnosis 146
Group Therapy 146
Individual Psychotherapy/Counseling 148
EAF 152
Medication 152
Self-Help Groups 154
Last Call 159
References 161
Resources 166
About The Author 167