Moderation in Use

Moderation in the use of intoxicating substances generally refers to a level of use that is not accompanied by detrimental health or lifestyle outcomes. Although moderate substance use has long held a privileged position in Western society, in the past century, emphasis on moderation has decreased in favor of abstinence. Indeed, proposals that moderate use represents an appropriate, generally harmless, lifestyle choice remain controversial, especially in the United States. However, in the last 3 decades, the scientific community has come to increasingly recognize moderation as a legitimate treatment goal for some individuals with substance use related problems, particularly for those whose difficulties involve the excessive use of alcohol.