Product Description
The official handbook of Moderation Management, a non-profit, national self-help program that supports moderate drinking as a reasonable and attainable recovery goal for problem drinkers. Based on her own unsatisfactory experience with abstinence-based programs, Kishline offers inspiration and a step-by-step program to help individuals avoid the kind of drinking that detrimentally affects their lives.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 2.5 based on 18 reviews)

I didn't read it to get help for me

Having seen the aftermath of Ms Kishline's accident, I decided to buy the book to see if any of what she said could work.The concept of a controlled alcoholic has always been very intriging to me.
I found the book excellent and I truly believe the concept could work for anyone who catches themselves in time before becoming a full fledged alcoholic.
Those of us who know better, don't try it. An alcoholic can never drink, in spite of our best intentions. Yes we can cut back, quit, whatever but it won't last.
Still, it was a fantastic book and I'm glad I read it.
August 26, 2008

Every problem drinker should read this book

I am an ex-drinker.

I recognised about 10 years ago that I had a "drink problem", and have tried most of the methods for either quitting or moderating alcohol consumption.

I think the whole concept of "moderate" or "controlled" drinking is a total joke. Drinking is about relaxing and letting go, so what would even be the point of drinking if you are at the same time trying to estimate your BAC, and keep a disciplined count of how many drinks you have had. It flies in the face of reason and sanity.

I recommend all people grappling with the problem of heavy drinking to buy, read and practice what is preached in this book. I have.

Then when you are ready for the 100% abstinence solution, you will not be distracted by wistful longings for a half-way house solution that does not exist.

If you can drink moderately, you would not even be on this site and reading reviews of this type of book.

kevin
August 11, 2008

This book was written by a Woman that Killed Two People Drunk Driving after she wrote it!

Don't do this if you have a real drinking or substance abuse problem. If you're just drinking a little too much but aren't an addict in ANY way, go for it. But if you REALLY have a problem with any addictive behaviors this will just enable you.

I know an AA who was sober for 10 years in AA and was visited by one of his old using partners that practices HARM reduction and Moderate Drinking only for 2 or 3 years (but is a billionair anyway so hasn't much accountability in her life). This AA decided to try this new approach. Within 3 months he was arrested for cruising in a public park, lost his partner of 3 years that he adored and his job was reviewing him for his lack of attendence. Truly tragic. And he rationalised all of it that it was all someone elses fault in each situation and actually became abusive towards other friends. This person had come so far in his 10 years sober and had become a reliable, much more honest and caring person as a result of the 12 steps (I saw it personally). Maybe he didn't see the great change in him but others did and now he's a selfish, lying, manipulative Addict that rationalizes all his behavior.

And by the way the people that refer to "percentages" about AA in their comments are full of it! You can't have "percentages" on alcoholics anonymous because no one is registered or has their progress checked so you're just trying to falsly justify yourself by putting down the program. The people this works for are most likely just "Heavy Drinkers" which AA does take into account. Heavy Drinkers aren't alcoholics. And there are also some alcoholics people that manage to get sober on there own, but they usually end up being sort of narcissists that never get over there own self-centerdness and inability to be honest. Like my friend described here who has become someone I don't want to know anymore. Maybe there are other answers out there but I'm not impressed with the results of THIS program. Like the woman who wrote this book that killed people while drunk driving... IMPRESSIVE! And to answer people's comments that she had been in AA for 1 month... means she didn't have time to do the steps so never "worked" the AA program. Going to meetings for a month doesn't cut it. If you care about yourself or your loved ones that have addictions don't enable them with this. And I'm not excluding the fact that there maybe other ways to get and stay sober than AA but fooling yourself that you can "Manage" your addictions while still using is just tragic.

Use your common sense people!
April 01, 2008

Essientially useless

This is a great book for: 1.) Those who really don't have a problem with booze or 2.) Those in denial about their drinking ( as was the authour who not only committed a drink driving offence on her "programme" but admits to years of secret intoxication ). When alcohol causes trouble it's time to grow up. I did without this appailling book. AA drove me nuts but Jack Trimpey's "Rational Recovery" was so simple, safe and effective. Let finally reiterate to you a point I have already made. Ms Kishline who exposes "Moderate Drinking" manages to KILL two people whilst on her programme by Drink Driving. Not a very good arguement huh? Her programme is simple wishful thinking. If you have not got a drink problem "Moderate Drinking" is unnecessary. If you're a big boozer eventually you're inhibitions will be lowered enough to binge. Simple
November 11, 2006

Good -- but NOT for everyone

If you're an alcoholic, read no more -- go hook up with AA or another abstinence organization. This isn't the right book for you. (The author apparently is an alcoholic; the consequences were tragic.)

But one size doesn't fit all. AA is an outstanding organization, but there are millions of people who will never attend an AA meeting, but who still need to reflect on and reduce their drinking.

The AA model can be like selling sexual abstinence to teenagers -- sometimes it works; but if it doesn't, they at least need to learn safe behaviors.

This book offers good advice on moderation, and a good starting point for self-examination. In that spirit, the author's tragedy should serve as a reminder that you also have to ask the tough questions -- questions that this book admittedly sidesteps. Still, it's better to face the problem from the perspective of moderation, than not to face it at all.
December 14, 2005

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