Whether it be minimising sugar intake, your expenditure on material products, moderation is key to many aspects of life.
It grants people the ability to enjoy certain products or habits, without exceeding to the point of it becoming unhealthy or unproductive.
However, one size doesn’t fit all, and it’s an entirely different circumstance for those suffering from addiction.
When it comes to substance addiction, not only is moderation unsustainable, but it can lead to catastrophic effects.
Moderation is appealing because it would allow drinkers to enjoy the initial, short-term effects of alcohol consumption, whether it be relaxation, stress-reduction, and so on.
However, addiction is a chronic brain disease, not merely a habit.
Moderation is not a suitable middle ground in substance recovery. In fact, while an “all or nothing” is often seen as an unrelenting way to control a behaviour, it is more suitable than moderation when recovering from substance use disorder.
It’s important to understand why moderation is unsustainable and harmful for addicted people. To explain why it isn’t a viable option, we must first understand what addiction is:
Addiction is a chronic brain disease. When someone is suffering from an addiction, they have developed a physical or psychological dependence on a particular substance.
This is because their brain has undergone drastic changes in the brain, particularly the neural pathways.
When we eat, exercise, or indulge in activities that make us feel happy, we experience a release of dopamine in the brain.
Our neural pathways – the mesolimbic or reward pathways – play a key role in managing cravings and motivation.
Indulging in addictive substances, such as alcohol or drugs, will stimulate these reward pathways, and the more we consume these substances, the more dependent we become for these feelings of happiness.
Addiction is not a lack of willpower or discipline. When someone is suffering from an addiction, they are experiencing extreme forms of cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Some of these withdrawal symptoms can lead to permanent damage or even death.
Here are some of the most commonly experienced withdrawal symptoms among addicted people:
Moderation doesn’t work when someone is suffering from addiction, because again, addiction is not ultimately down to discipline and willpower.
A non-addicted person can consume one alcoholic beverage and leave it there, because their brains aren’t compromised in a way which causes extreme cravings.
Because their neural pathways aren’t wired in a way that exposes them to physical or psychological cravings and withdrawal symptoms, they don’t yearn for addictive substances like an addicted person does.
The addicted person’s brain is already compromised, and a single drink overstimulates their neural pathways and leads to an intensified desire for continuous stimuli.
Once these neural pathways are reactivated, the addicted person will experience extreme cravings that lead to a loss of control and ultimately to a relapse.
Relapses are common in recovery, in fact, medical professionals expect some patients to suffer a relapse and reinitiate their consumption while in recovery.
When an addicted person suffers from a standalone moment of relapse, this is often referred to as a “slip”.
The term sounds less severe than a relapse, encouraging addicted people that progress isn’t always linear, and that they can always get back on track if they return to their lifestyle of sobriety.
Studies show that around 66%-85% of people relapse within 1 year of their recovery. This does not define them or their recovery.
However, sustained relapse can pose significant danger. The more that an addicted person consumes an addictive substance, the more entrenched their dependence will become.
This is because they are changing or training the neural pathways in the brain to seek out this stimulus.
Additionally, they will develop a high tolerance for these addictive substances. The more frequently and intensely they engage in alcoholic drinks or drugs, the higher their tolerance will become.
While it doesn’t necessarily sound bad initially, it means that they will need to consume higher quantities to experience the same levels of pleasure as they did before.
As their tolerance increases, their consumption increases, and their chances of an overdose becomes much more likely.
This becomes an even greater danger if they abstain from the addictive substance, only to relapse and reinitiate their consumption.
This is particularly dangerous because while their body will have adjusted to abstinence, addicted people are likely to consume similar quantities of addicted substances that they were used to previously, despite their body now being accustomed to less.
This leaves them more vulnerable to suffering from an overdose.
Moderate drinking often feels achievable in the early stages of recovery. After a period of abstinence, some people regain physical stability, improved sleep, and emotional clarity, which can create a false sense of control.
This makes them think that they “cracked the code” when it comes to managing their cravings and addiction, leading to the idea that alcohol poses no danger.
However, even for people who aren’t suffering from an addiction, they experience lowered inhibition.
If a non-addicted person can suffer from excessive alcohol consumption, so can a person in addiction recovery.
Moderation can also be mentally taxing, due to the constant self-monitoring, self-bargaining, and justifying why you deserve a drink when you might actually feel guilty.
Over time, this vigilance weakens, especially during periods of stress, emotional distress, social pressure, or something else. In recovery, the illusion of control often masks the reality that alcohol still holds neurological power over behaviour.
While emotional triggers are some of the most common relapse triggers for people in recovery, so are social and environmental triggers.
Alcohol is deeply interwoven into the fabrics of society in western countries such as the UK, and drinking is ritualistic.
Whether it be celebrating an anniversary, passing your driving test, or it’s a Friday and you’ve finished work, alcohol consumption is the go-to activity for people who want to unwind and enjoy themselves.
Because of how pervasive alcohol consumption is in our communities, moderation is particularly difficult around our friends, family, and establishments such as bars, pubs, or even restaurants.
When you combine socialising with the atmosphere of music, laughter, dancing, and the smell of cigarettes and alcohol, addicted people are more susceptible to relapsing.
This is because there is a strong connotation of alcohol consumption in these environments.
When an addicted person was at the height of their addiction, they are likely to have been frequenting these similar environments. As a result, they’ve trained themselves to associate alcohol consumption with this specific setting.
Additionally, peer pressure can trigger addicted people into a relapse. Even if peers aren’t questioning someone’s sobriety or newfound lifestyle, peer pressure can come in the form of thinking what others might think of you, or the fear of missing out on your friends who are slowly becoming more intoxicated.
Consuming one drink will only lead to another, and another, especially as you and your friends begin to unwind more and the hours get later.
Sobriety allows your mind and your body the necessary time to heal and adjust to a life without intoxicating substances.
After overcoming withdrawal symptoms, people can expect a range of benefits from being sober, that are not only limited to addiction recovery but life in general:
Starting recovery can feel overwhelming, but once you receive a diagnosis and enter a structured treatment programme, you’ll be supported at every stage of your recovery journey.
At Rehab 4 Addiction, we’ll support you every step of the way. When you dial 0800 140 4690, you’ll be greeted by a friendly admissions officer who’s at your disposal to answer questions, enlighten you, and guide you through the addiction treatment process.
Whether you simply have questions, want to understand how recovery works, or are ready to start your recovery journey, we can help.
If you want to find out more about how the addiction treatment works, it is often broken down into the following stages:
Treatment begins with a comprehensive assessment of your substance use, mental health, and personal circumstances.
A licensed addiction specialist will recommend the most appropriate level of care, whether outpatient treatment for milder cases or inpatient support for more severe addiction.
If withdrawal symptoms are present, a medically supported detox may be required. Addiction physicians can prescribe medication to manage discomfort and reduce health risks during this stage.
Therapy is essential for long-term recovery. Evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) help identify harmful thought patterns and behaviours, while Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) supports emotional regulation and healthier coping strategies.
Many programmes also incorporate holistic therapies, such as yoga, art, or mindfulness, and more to support mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing.
Relapse prevention planning helps individuals recognise triggers and develop strategies to maintain sobriety.
Ongoing aftercare provides continued access to counselling, peer support groups, and structured recovery programmes, ensuring long-term stability beyond treatment.
Addiction recovery is not something you have to face alone.
Professional services can help you access personalised treatment options, answer your questions, and guide you toward sustainable recovery and improved wellbeing.
Boris is our editor-in-chief at Rehab 4 Addiction. Boris is an addiction expert with more than 20 years in the field. His expertise covers a broad of topics relating to addiction, rehab and recovery. Boris is an addiction therapist and assists in the alcohol detox and rehab process. Boris has been featured on a variety of websites, including the BBC, Verywell Mind and Healthline. You can connect with Boris online at LinkedIn or X.com.
