What is moderate drinking? Alcohol moderation explained
Moderate drinking means drinking by choice rather than by routine. You decide when, what and how much, and keep the total at a level you're comfortable with, which for most people means staying within the UK low-risk guideline of 14 units a week.
It is a recognised goal in UK health guidance. NICE accepts moderation as a realistic aim for many people who drink more than the guidelines but are not dependent on alcohol. (NICE)
Moderation is a skill you can learn
Relying on willpower alone makes moderation hard because you have to make the same decision again every evening. Practical strategies, such as deciding in advance which days you'll drink or pacing yourself at a friend's birthday, make the choice much easier, and with repetition they become second nature.
Even a little help makes a measurable difference. A Cochrane review found that people who had a brief conversation about their drinking with a GP or nurse were drinking around 2.5 units a week less a year later than people who didn't. (Cochrane, 2018)
A dial, not a switch
A moderate drinker treats alcohol as a dial. They turn it up for Sunday lunch with friends, turn it down during a busy week, and turn it off for a while when they want a break. A break you choose is part of moderation, and it becomes easy once you have the skills in place.
Is moderation right for you?
Moderation suits people who drink a few times a week and want to cut back a bit. If you drink most days out of habit, Alcohol Reduction Coach™ is built for more established patterns. If you get shaky, sweaty or anxious when you don't drink, speak to your GP first, as stopping completely may be the safer goal.
To see where your drinking sits now, read UK alcohol guidelines explained.