July 31, 2024
Q: Can I stop using my drug of choice but still drink?
A: There are people who can successfully drink moderately when abstaining from another drug; I’m one of them. It’s not for everyone, though.
For me, alcohol is a celebratory thing. I’ll pair food with a good wine, and I might have champagne at a wedding. It’s not something I keep at my house in case I have a bad day or feel the urge to avoid my emotions. I’m very intentional about the reasons behind any drink I have.
You may have heard there are as many ways to recover from addiction as there are people. I’d like to think the same is true for harm reduction. (There are examples of harm reduction around us every day outside of alcohol or other drugs. Take seat belts: we wear them to stay safe while driving, but we don’t give up driving completely after a car accident.)
Try to remember that everyone’s sense of “normal” or “acceptable” drinking is different. Comparing your use to someone else’s probably won’t be helpful. Let’s say someone who used to drink a case of beer each night now only has one or two nightly. That’s a major accomplishment that will reduce the harm of alcohol for that person. For me, one or two beers a night wouldn’t be the healthy choice. It all depends.
Discovering what works for you might take some trial and error. It can be helpful to talk to someone who’s been through it. Find a supportive person who can point out your patterns and provide a safe space to explore. You’re the expert in your wellness needs, but having an ally never hurts.
An initial period of sobriety might be helpful as you discover what’s best for your long-term wellness. That’s what I did. Once I was pregnant with my daughter, I was completely abstinent for about a year and a half. After that time, I figured out I could have a drink socially without jeopardizing my wellness from morphine and meth.
In my work with members who are on the fence about abstaining, we evaluate how much they can have in their life without negative consequences. Some realize they can’t have any drug, even alcohol, at least not now. But I also see the flip side, where individuals are struggling with one drug but not every drug. Regardless of someone’s goals, I try to remind them that being completely abstinent doesn’t have to happen today. They can work at it over time, and I’ll be there to walk alongside them.
Not everyone who struggles with alcohol or other drugs needs to be completely abstinent for life. I have one member who has been meth-free for three years. They have a beer every now and again and they utilize medical marijuana for their PTSD. It’s nice to see them utilize something in a healthy manner and not as a recreational tool.
I’m a big believer in having respect for any drug, including alcohol.* If you’re going to drink or use a drug, here are a few questions you can ask yourself.
- Who am I with? Are these people I trust?
- Am I in a safe environment?
- How will I get home safely?
- Am I home alone? Is there someone who will stay on the phone with me while I use, in case I experience an overdose?
- What am I hoping to get out of this drug?
- What am I feeling? Am I trying to avoid that feeling?
Over time, these questions will usually get easier to answer. I believe they’re important considerations, especially for someone who’s early in their harm reduction journey. For more resources, inducing the Never Use Alone Hotline and where to get fentanyl test strips, visit our resources page.
* Keep in mind that alcohol is a carcinogen that affects every part of your body. You can watch our educational video on alcohol here.