What is Moderation Management?
Last Updated on March 10, 2026 by Elizabeth
Many forms of treatment for substance use disorder focus on abstinence. This is the case with most addiction treatment centers, as well as twelve-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.
Moderation management is not an abstinence-based program like these. It offers a different path to recovery that may or may not include completely quitting alcohol or drugs. Although it may work better for some people than others, it has been found to be effective for many.
What is Moderation Management?
A form of harm reduction, the behavioral change program aims to help individuals reduce alcohol intake rather than quitting completely. Much like twelve-step programs, Moderation Management has peer support meetings. Unlike twelve-step programs, there is no spiritual or religious component.
The program is based on a behavioral change methodology. Individuals work to assess and address their problem drinking or using, make necessary changes, and stay in tune with what is working for them and what is not. There are guidelines, but members need not adhere strictly to them. I cover the actual program and its components below a bit.
The Origins of Moderation Management
Moderation Management was founded in 1994 by Audrey Kishline. A problem drinker herself, the disease theory of alcoholism did not resonate. By using principles of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), she found she was able to effectively moderate her drinking.
With the help of psychologists and professionals, she established the fellowship of Moderation Management. Although Audrey had a relapse that led to a horrible accident in which she killed two people, Moderation Management continued on. The members of the groups continued on as the peer-led program it is, with plenty of in-person and online groups available.
The Moderation Management Program Explained
So, let’s get into how the Moderation Management program works. There aren’t specific steps like you might find in a twelve-step program, but there are a few important components.
Self-Assessment
The first part of the program starts with self-assessment. This generally involves keeping a diary of your drinking. You may track how many drinks you had, what you had, what the occasion was, any skills you used to manage, and how you felt. The goal of the diary is to gain an understanding of your patterns of use, what supports you in not over drinking, and where you may be more likely to drink in excess.
Understand Guidelines
Moderation Management offers some guidelines in regards to what is moderate drinking, as well as practices and attitudes. These guidelines are based roughly on the National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism guidelines. They are no more than 14 drinks per week for men and no more than four per occasion, no more than nine drinks per week for women and three per occasion, and not drinking more than three or four days a week. There are also guidelines on blood alcohol level, drinking speed, and other factors.
These were factors from the founding of Moderation Management and include:
- Usually does not exceed the 0.055% blood alcohol concentration drinking limit.
- Generally has something to eat before, during, or soon after drinking.
- Usually does not drink faster than one drink per half hour.
- Usually does not drink for longer than an hour or two on any particular occasion.
- Considers an occasional drink to be a small, though enjoyable, part of life.
- Has hobbies, interests, and other ways to relax and enjoy life, that do not involve alcohol.
- Usually has friends who are moderate drinkers or non-drinkers.
- Feels comfortable with his or her use of alcohol (never drinks secretly and does not spend a lot of time thinking about drinking or planning to drink).
Recognize Issues and Benefits
Understanding what moderation actually looks like in practice, individuals are encouraged to honestly consider whether abstinence or moderation is the best personal objective. You may score your problem severity with the Moderation Management self-test at this point.
In addition to recognizing the issues that drinking or drugs have caused in your life, you’ll also make a list of the benefits you expect to find from moderation. The intention here is to recognize the issue but also focus some energy on the solution.
Behavioral Change
The behavioral change techniques are similar to other programs and treatment modalities. You’ll work to recognize triggers that lead you to over-drink, learn skills to control drinking, develop personal guidelines, and build new hobbies to replace drinking in your life.
Peer Support
The peer-led meetings are an integral part of Moderation Management. In these groups, individuals share about their relapses, successes, and overall experience. Members learn from one another, support each other, and are held accountable by the group.
Abstinence
Moderation Management actually starts with a thirty-day period of abstinence. This helps people understand the benefits of not drinking, and is when you generally begin working on skills to drink moderately. Furthermore, the program encourages those who aren’t finding success with their guidelines to consider and move toward abstinence.
Re-Assessment
Moderation Management encourages regular reassessment to investigate what is working and what is not. This is especially true when you have a slip with your guidelines. You can look at what went wrong, what worked, and perhaps amend your personal guidelines in order to best support yourself.
Who is Moderation Management For?
Our understanding is that moderation management is more effective for individuals who don’t quite have severely problematic use. That is, those who are problem drinkers or users find more success with moderation-based programs than those who are deep into addiction or alcoholism. For those struggling with more severe substance use disorder, abstinence may be the better option.
Is Moderation Management Effective?
In short, yes, for the right person. One study found that all participants reduced total drinks, number of drinking days, and drinks per day with a moderation-focused intervention. Again, it depends on the individual. For those with problematic drinking, moderation management can be effective. For those with more severe addiction, moderation-based programs like Moderation Management are significantly less effective.
How to Try Moderation Management
Getting started with Moderation Management is fairly simple. There are online newcomer’s meetings several times a week. You can also find the MM toolbox, guidelines, and steps of change on their website. If you want support in your journey, reach out to One Mind Therapy. We have multiple therapists with experience with moderation-based programs.