|
==Methodology==
Moderation Management allows membersparticipants to set their own drinking goals as they feel appropriate.<ref name="HUMPHREYS2004"/> MM encourages membersparticipants to follow particular drinking guidelines, limits, goal setting techniques, and a nine-step [[Cognitive behavioral therapy|cognitive-behavioral]] change program.<ref name="SOLOMON2005">{{Cite book|title=AA: Not the Only Way |last=Solomon |first=Melanie |isbn=978-0-9762479-9-9 |year=2005 |publisher=Capalo Press |chapter=Part Three: Moderation Management |pages=39–41}}</ref>
The MM limits and guidelines were derived from the work of Dr. Martha Sanchez-Craig.<ref name="SANCHEZCRAIG2005">{{Cite journal|last=Sanchez-Craig |first=Martha |title=Empirically based guidelines for moderate drinking: 1-year results from three studies with problem drinkers |journal=American Journal of Public Health |volume=85 |issue=6 |pages=823–828 |author2=Wilkinson, D. Adrian |author3=Davila, Rafaela |year=1995 |pmid=7762717 |doi=10.2105/AJPH.85.6.823 |pmc=1615483}}</ref> MM membersparticipants are encouraged, but do not need to follow, the suggested guidelines, limits and steps. MM does not view non-dependent problem drinkers as [[alcoholism|alcoholics]], but rather people with a bad, but controllable, [[Habit (psychology)|habit]]. MM does not state that [[Surrender (spirituality and psychology)|surrender]] or [[spirituality]] is needed to end or control the habit.<ref name="ROTGERS2000">{{Cite journal|last=Rotgers |first=Frederick |author2=Kishline, Audrey |title=Moderation Management: A support group for persons who want to reduce their drinking, but not necessarily abstain |journal=International Journal of Self Help and Self Care |year=1999–2000 |pages=145–158 |volume=1 |issue=2 |doi=10.2190/8909-FFH3-44BA-HKVN}}</ref> MM literature makes a similar distinction to Alcoholics Anonymous literature that there are problem drinkers who can return to controlled drinking and alcoholics who can not.<ref name="HUMPHREYS2003">{{Cite journal|last=Humphreys |first=Keith |title=Alcohol & drug abuse: A research-based analysis of the Moderation Management controversy |journal=Psychiatric Services |volume=54 |date=May 2003 |pages=621–622 |pmid=12719491 |doi=10.1176/appi.ps.54.5.621 |issue=5}}</ref>
MM groups are intended to give membersparticipants a chance to connect with other problem drinkers and learn from the successes and failures of each other. Meetings last about an hour, and most are online. Face-to-face meetings started to re-emerge post-pandemic. [[Mental health professional]]s are allowed to help start MM meetings, but ultimate control must be left to the participants.<ref name="ROTGERS2000"/><ref name="KLAW2000A">{{Cite journal|last=Klaw |first=Elena |author2=Humphreys, Keith |title=Life stories of Moderation Management mutual help group members |journal=Contemporary Drug Problems |volume=27 |issue=4 |year=2000 |pages=779–803|doi=10.1177/009145090002700404 |s2cid=141724352 }}</ref> A [[content analysis]] of online MM meetings found the most common types of communication by membersparticipants were [[self-disclosure]], provision of information and advice, and provision of emotional support. Similar studies of depression and eating disorder support groups have found the same patterns.<ref name="KLAW2000B">{{Cite journal|last=Klaw |first=Elena |author2=Huebsch, Penny Dearmin |author3=Humphreys, Keith |title=Communication patterns in an on-line mutual help group for problem drinkers |journal=Journal of Community Psychology |volume=28 |year=2000 |pages=535–546 |issue=5 |doi=10.1002/1520-6629(200009)28:5<535::AID-JCOP7>3.0.CO;2-0}}</ref>
==Membership==
In a 2001 survey of Moderation Management, most MM members are [[White people|white]] (96%), employed (81%), educated (72% have at least a college education) and on average are more secular than the rest of the population (32% identify as [[atheism|atheists]] or [[agnosticism|agnostics]], only 16% regularly attend religious services). MM attracts an equal number of men and women (49% are female); depending on the kinds of meetings attended, between 11.9% and 33.8% of membersparticipants were under 35 years of age.<ref name="HUMPHREYS2001"/>
MM members mostly describe themselves as being non-dependent problem drinkers. In general, MM members report having a mild history of substance-abuse problems before joining, with 40% having consumed four or fewer drinks per drinking day and less than 10% experienced serious withdrawal symptoms or comorbid drug abuse.<ref name="HUMPHREYS2001">{{Cite journal|last=Humphreys |first=Keith |author2=Klaw, Elena |title=Can targeting non-dependent problem drinkers and providing internet-based services expand access to assistance for alcohol problems?: A study of the Moderation Management self-help/mutual aid organization |journal=Journal of Studies on Alcohol |volume=62 |date=July 2001 |pages=528–532 |issn=0096-882X |issue=4 |pmid=11513231|doi=10.15288/jsa.2001.62.528 }}</ref>
|
