Do I have To Give Up Drinking Completely?


	Research has shown that some people with alcohol problems can return to controlled drinking. This option is not for everyone. This section shows the types of people who are more likely to succeed at controlled drinking.

Those More Likely to Succeed with Controlled Drinking	Those More Likely to Succeed with Total Abstinence
Younger clients	Clients with a longer drinking history
Those in employment	Those without regular employment
Those with family support	Those with little support from family and friends
Those with a shorter history of abuse	Those suffering physical harms, especially liver disease, as a result of their drinking
Those with less physical, psychological and social harm from their drinking	Those suffering mental harm, for example, memory loss
Those with lower levels of consumption prior to coming for help	Those on contra-indicated drugs
Those not showing signs of physical dependence	Those who have tried and previously failed to control their drinking
	Those showing signs of physical dependence