For people diagnosed with alcohol use disorder (AUD), the traditional therapeutic goal has long been total abstinence. It's a time-tested approach that, for many people, continues to be the best solution.
It is, however, no longer the only solution. Increasingly, research is showing that substantially reducing alcohol consumption short of abstinence can yield meaningful improvements in health and functioning, and abstinence may not be necessary for all individuals, according to Yale addiction specialist Stephanie O'Malley.
In current AUD treatment, many clinicians now tailor treatments that fit individuals and their specific needs, explained O'Malley, the Elizabeth Mears and House Jameson Professor of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine. The biggest obstacle, however, continues to be getting people to seek help in the first place - something that O'Malley says the shift in treatment goals may help.
