Many people are concerned that they may be drinking more than they should. This page lists resources that may help you or a loved one cut down drinking  alcohol.

The resources stress self-help to cut down drinking rather than to abstain completely. For help in abstaining, visit Drink too Much Alcohol?

Self-Help Websites to Cut Down Drinking

Moderation Management stresses balance, moderation, self-management, and personal responsibility to cut down drinking.

Drink Wise is a brief, confidential educational program for people with mild to moderate alcohol problems who want to eliminate the negative consequences of their drinking.

Habit Smart promotes the reduction of harmful behaviors and harm through habit change and wise choices.

Rational Recovery stresses the innate power and strength of individuals themselves to overcome obstacles. It rejects the AA belief that “once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic.” Rational Recovery teaches people how to cut down drinking.

Secular Organizations For Sobriety (SOS), also known as Save Our Selves, this program stresses the need to place the highest priority on sobriety and uses mutual support to assist members in achieving this goal. The Suggested Guidelines for Sobriety emphasize rational decision-making and are not religious or spiritual in nature.

SMART Recovery (Self-Management and Recovery Training) views alcohol dependence as a bad habit and uses common sense techniques to break it.

Women for Sobriety mutual support groups work to enhance the self-esteem of members to help them achieve and maintain sobriety. Women for Sobriety groups are non-religious.

Drink Too Much Alcohol? has practical suggestions to help readers cut down drinking alcohol.

Self-Help Books and Articles to Cut Down Drinking

Beyerlein, F. Drink as Much as You Want and Live Longer: The Intelligent Person’s Guide to Healthier Drinking. Port Townsend, WA: Loompanics, 1999.

Burman, S. The challenge of sobriety: Natural recovery without treatment and self-help groups. J Sub Abuse, 1997, 9, 41-61.

Christopher, J. Secular Organizations for Sobriety is an Effective Self-Help Program. In: Barbour, S. (Ed.). Alcohol. San Diego: Greenhaven, 1998. Pp. 128-134.

Christopher, J. How to Stay Sober: Recovery Without Religion. Buffalo, NY: Prometheus, 1988.

Cornett, D.J. Seven Weeks to Safe Social Drinking: How to Effectively Moderate Your Alcohol Intake. Author’s Choice Press, 2001.

Crandell, J. S. Controlled Drinking Can Help Alcoholics Recover. In: Cozic, C. P., and Swisher, K. (Ed.). Chemical Dependency. San Diego: Greenhaven, 199 1. Pp. 218-224.

Christopher, J. Secular Organizations for Sobriety is an Effective Self-Help Program. In: Barbour, S. (Ed.). Alcohol. San Diego: Greenhaven, 1998. Pp. 128-134.

Darby, W.J., and Heinz, A. The Responsible Use of Alcohol: Defining the Parameters of Moderation. NY: Am Coun Sci Health, 1991.

DeSena, J., et al. Overcoming Your Alcohol, Drug and Recovery Habits: An Empowering Alternative to AA and 12-Step Programs. Tucson, AZ: See Sharp Press, 2003.

Fingarette, H. Heavy Drinking: The Myth of Alcoholism as a Disease. Berkeley: U. California Press, 1988.

Fletcher, A.M. Sober for Good: New Solutions for Drinking Problems — Advice from Those Who Have Succeeded. NY: Houghton-Mifflin, 2001.

Fox, V. Addiction: Change and Choice: The New View of Alcoholism. Tucson, AZ: See Sharp, 1993.

Granfield, R. Coming Clean: Overcoming Addictions without Treatment. NY: New York U. Press, 1999.

Cranfield, R., and Cloud, W. The elephant that no one sees: natural recovery among middle-class addicts, J Drug Issues, 1996, 26, 45-61.

Heather, N., and Robertson, I. Controlled Drinking. London: Methuen, 1983.

Horvath, A.T. Sex, Drugs, Gambling & Chocolate: A Workbook for Overcoming Addictions. San Louis Obispo, CA: Impact, 1998.

Humphreys, K., et al. Two pathways out of drinking problems without professional treatment, Addict Behav, 1995, 20(4), 427-441.

Kasl, C.D. Many Roads, One Journey: Moving Beyond the 12 Steps. NY: HarperPerrenial, 1992.

Kishline, A. Alcoholism Should Not be Treated as a Disease. In: Barbour, S. (Ed.). Alcohol. San Diego: Greenhaven, 1998. Pp. 105-112.

Kishline, A. A toast to moderation. Psychology Today, January/February, 1996.

Lolli, G. Social Drinking: How to Enjoy Drinking without Being Hurt by It. New York: World Publishing, 1960.

Michael, J. The Art of Moderation: An Alternative to Alcoholism. Mill Valley, CA: Vision, 1999.

Miller, S.D. The “Miracle” Method: A Radically New Approach to Problem Drinking. NY: W.W. Norton, 1995.

Miller, W. R., and Munoz, R. F. How to Control Your Drinking. Albuquerque: U. New Mexico Press. 1990.

Morris, K., and Walker, I. Women Married to Alcoholics. NY: William Morow, 1989.

Ogilvie, H., et al. Alternatives to Abstinence: A New Look at Alcoholism and the Choices in Treatment. Long Island City, NY: Hatherleigh, 2001.

Peele, S. et al. The Truth about Alcohol and Recovery. NY: Simon and Schuster, 1991. Hoboken, NJ: Jossey-Bass, 1999.

Peele, S., and Brodsky, A. The Truth about Addiction and Recovery. NY: Fireside, 1991.

Rachel, V. A Woman Like You: Life Stories of Women Recovering from Alcoholism and Addiction. NY: Harper & Row, 1985.

Rotgers, F., et al. Responsible Drinking: A Moderation Management Approach to Problem Drinking. Oakland, CA: New Harbinge , 2002.

Sanchez-Craig, M. Saying When: How to Quit Drinking or Cut Down. Toronto: Addiction Research Foundation. 1993.

Schaler, J.A. Addiction is a Choice. Chicago: Open Court, 2000.

Sobell, M. B., and Sobell, L. C. Problem Drinkers: Guided Self-Change Treatment. NY: Guilford, 1993.

Trimpey, J. Rational Recovery is an Effective Self-Help Program. In: Barbour, S. (Ed.). Alcohol. San Diego: Greenhaven, 1998. Pp. 135-143.

Trimpey, J. The Small Book: A Revolutionary Alternative for Overcoming Alcohol and Drug Dependence. NY: Delacorte, 1992.

Turk, M. For problem drinkers: A moderate proposal. Business Week, October 23, 1995.

Vogler, R. E., and Bartz, W. R. The Better Way to Drink: Moderation and Control of Problem Drinking. NY: Simon and Schuster, 1985.

Woititz, J.G. Adult Children of Alcoholics. Deerfield, FL: Health Communications, 1990.

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Disclaimer: This website is informational only. It makes no suggestions or recommendations about alcohol, drinking, rehabs, programs, or any other matter and none should be inferred. Neither this website nor your host receives any compensation, directly or indirectly, from listing or describing any program. Such listing or description does not imply endorsement. [+]

Filed Under: Resources for Alcoholism Self-Help