Am I in Denial or Could Moderation Work for Me?

Let me start by noting that my adventures defining a relationship with alcohol is as unique as everyone else’s. This post is not meant to encourage trying moderation or minimize the struggles associated with alcohol use.

I share my thoughts for my own accountability, but also to be another perspective in the world of abstinence posts. Abstinence WAS the answer for me when I initially changed my drinking patterns, as it essentially changed my relationship with myself.

Abstinence might still be the answer, but I won’t know unless I give moderation a try from a more mindful standpoint than ever before.

What Kind of Drinker Was I?

If you were to characterize me, I’d be considered a high functioning alcoholic. My life was not being substantially impacted outside of wasted time from hangovers, missed memories from too much booze and money lost toward fancy beverages on nights out. That said, I recognize that I was deserving of so much more goodness in my life. Alcohol did not equate to anything beneficial.

I did not drink alone at home or have glasses of wine while making dinner every night. Drinking was not a part of my habitual life at home. What it was associated with was socialization. There were many points of my life when I drank the same as my…