Rating: 
Summary: Critics love a tragedy
Review: These aren't even reviews.
While I do not subscribe to all the helpful hints in this book I found its principles to be lifesaving and my doctors could not be happier. AA never worked for me. AA saved the lives of people I love however.
That there is a group of people out there happy that Audrey Kishline has failed to uphold all of her ideals and failed in such a horrible way is sick. Nothing could be worse, but it is not where the story begins or ends. AA too has had its failures and deaths which resulted from those failures, but we do not point a finger at AA. AA is one very extraordinary approach, this is another approach and one path does not work for everyone. Quit being so militant and return to being human beings.
If you have an opinion about the book, write it, otherwise this isn't the place for such arguments.
Rating:
Summary: There is another way
Review: I am married to a psychologist who long ago had a drinking problem and used the same approach in this book long before it was written. Now more than twenty years later he is a successful social drinker. Unfortunately I now must start the program. I have never had a DWI or have never had job problems from drinking too much. But my drinking has caused problems in my marriage. Recent studies have shown that the success rate with AA is not very high - I forget the percantages, though I'm not knocking the program for those who feel it's right for them. I do know that most AA meetings are notorious for being smoke filled rooms. Where is the higher power for that problem? It is sad to think so many people think AA is the only answer.
Rating:
Summary: There is another way
Review: I am married to a psychologist who long ago had a drinking problem and used the same approach in this book long before it was written. Now more than twenty years later he is a successful social drinker. Unfortunately I now must start the program. I have never had a DWI or have never had job problems from drinking too much. But my drinking has caused problems in my marriage. Recent studies have shown that the success rate with AA is not very high - I forget the percantages, though I'm not knocking the program for those who feel it's right for them. I do know that most AA meetings are notorious for being smoke filled rooms. Where is the higher power for that problem? It is sad to think so many people think AA is the only answer.
Rating: 
Summary: Moderation is trouble for alcoholics
Review: I bought this book in 1997 as I was becoming increasingly aware that I could not control my drinking. I did not want to go to AA or quit drinking forever. However, I tried this program and simply could not stop for 30 days (the initial pre-requisit). So, as a last resort, I went to AA. During my first week of sobriety, I went to a Moderation Management meeting. It was very small, maybe 5 people. And run by a professional counsellor. Every single person in the meeting had stories about how their drinking was still out of control, but they were learning more about themselves. It just made me sad, to be honest. At the end of my first 30 days in AA, I had no desire to try social drinking. And here's why. For the first time in my life I could see how my brain worked and how uncomfortable I was in my own skin. I had been masking that uncomfortable feeling for years with alcohol. And I was not a DUI, job-losing, homeless drunk. I was a drink myself to sleep at night kind of guy. Which leads me to this: I believe this program and this book may be very helpful to some people. Just not me. And I would urge anyone with a drinking problem to try it, because if you do end up in AA, you will want to feel confident that you have tried everything you can to control and enjoy your drinking. If, in fact, you can control and enjoy your drinking, then good for you! As for me, I heard a statement early on that stuck with me. It said that when alcohol is taken away from the problem drinker, the problem is solved. But when alcohol is taken away from the alcoholic, the problem is revealed. That, for me, was the main reason this book/program didn't work for me. Bottom line: If you have a drinking problem, give this method a try. Give therapy a try. And if nothing else works, you will always be welcomed at AA.
Rating:
Summary: Did not work for me at all.
Review: I bought this book in 1997 as I was becoming increasingly aware that I could not control my drinking. I did not want to go to AA or quit drinking forever. However, I tried this program and simply could not stop for 30 days (the initial pre-requisit). So, as a last resort, I went to AA. During my first week of sobriety, I went to a Moderation Management meeting. It was very small, maybe 5 people. And run by a professional counsellor. Every single person in the meeting had stories about how their drinking was still out of control, but they were learning more about themselves. It just made me sad, to be honest. At the end of my first 30 days in AA, I had no desire to try social drinking. And here's why. For the first time in my life I could see how my brain worked and how uncomfortable I was in my own skin. I had been masking that uncomfortable feeling for years with alcohol. And I was not a DUI, job-losing, homeless drunk. I was a drink myself to sleep at night kind of guy. Which leads me to this: I believe this program and this book may be very helpful to some people. Just not me. And I would urge anyone with a drinking problem to try it, because if you do end up in AA, you will want to feel confident that you have tried everything you can to control and enjoy your drinking. If, in fact, you can control and enjoy your drinking, then good for you! As for me, I heard a statement early on that stuck with me. It said that when alcohol is taken away from the problem drinker, the problem is solved. But when alcohol is taken away from the alcoholic, the problem is revealed. That, for me, was the main reason this book/program didn't work for me. Bottom line: If you have a drinking problem, give this method a try. Give therapy a try. And if nothing else works, you will always be welcomed at AA.
Rating:
Summary: Buyer beware
Review: i bought this book knowing i had a problem with alcohol, and i tried following the principals set down in it. Yet, my drinking only got worse. I did not want to admit i was an alcoholic, but the only way i was able to quit drinking was by going to AA and surrendering the fight against alcohol. To my amazement, the problem was removed from me and I no longer struggle with alcohol. For a while though, i wondered if i couldn't have gotten sober if somehow i had just followed this moderation management program a little more carefully. And yet i knew that was a lie. Getting a hobby, or keeping a journal of my drinks was not going to keep me sober. I knew that deep inside. And lo and behold, it couldn't keep its author sober either. This book cries out like an out-of-control ego against surrender. it is like a dying gasp, a desperate attempt to rationalize away one's problems. It did not surprise me in the least to see in the Seattle Times that its author has been booked on charges of vehicular manslaughter while driving under the influence. Alcoholism is an insidious, and patient disease. Even if you write a book and start up chapters all across the country to validate your viewpoint, the disease is still waiting for you -- along with its ramifications. God knows, I and many other alcoholics wish this were not the case. But it is. The author of this poorly researched book might even be willing to admit to that at this point.
Rating: 
Summary: Who are you kidding?
Review: I read this book in Feb 1998 when I thought I had "had enough" and wanted to fix my problem drinking. I wanted to take care of it before it got worse. I read the book, thought it was great, signed up for the newsgroup, and everything. I quit drinking for 30 days just like it said, but then I went straight back to my old habits. It was as if I said "I quit for 30 days, I'm fine!". It wasn't until September 1999 that I decided that I really HAD had enough and decided to quit drinking all together. Surely that would be better than the current way. I went to AA but I don't go there anymore as I didn't feel I fit in. I just decided that this life is better. I'm glad I didn't stay with MM - who are we kidding; if we think we have a problem, it's probably to the degree of needing to quit drinking. There have been several instances of people trying MM who have serious problems; i.e. the current tragedy with Audrey, and others. It's a nice idea, but either you drink normally (and therefore would never have any reason to look for a book such as this) or you don't and it's up to you to decide what to do about it. I wish everyone the best of luck. I do recommend a book called The Thinking Person's Guide to Sobriety by Bert Pluymen if you consider yourself a problem drinker....he tells it in a down to earth way and makes you wonder why you'd even want to drink if it causes problems.
Rating:
Summary: This is a book that dares to challange deepseated beliefs
Review: I was encorraged to start going to AA when I was about 20. I was never diagnosed as a "dependant" but rather an "abuser". I had many emotional problems in my life. I spent many years going in and out of AA with the true intention of solving my drink problems. I went through two inpatient treatment centers and was always blaming myself without mercy. I decided to try to moderate and found this book very helpful. I know the troubles the authour had, but that does not negate the importance of treatement options. Even the big book of AA states that if you are unsure "go try some more contrlled drinking". However, AA provides no structure to do this and had no idea of much research to show that many abusers can moderate if the are tought how. I have been succesful for a month and have realized that it is not the substance, but the emotional states that determine my drinking. My drinking has actually decreased over the month. I work with a thereptist to identify possible emotional pitfalls that might leed me back to binge drinking, but I am VERY optomistic that this will solve a very real and dangerous problem where AA could not. I love AA and many of the people in it. I still go to open meetings and do not question anyones path in tackling this problem. For those of you that try your guts out, but can't succede in AA, why not try another approach? People in AA are already suggesting that maybe I was not a "true" alcoholic, but I sure did some scary stuff when binging. I have found a new freedom and a new peace. My God is still large and in charge, but I think I have found my solution. All problem dirinkers are NOT alocholoics in my mind. I also have read "alternatives to abstenacne" and a book about the nature of addiction. Don't be afraid if you are being honest. You can put safety rules in place to minimize dameage if you fail. At least then you will know in your heart you need abstinace.
Rating:
Summary: This is a book that dares to challange deepseated beliefs
Review: I was encorraged to start going to AA when I was about 20. I was never diagnosed as a "dependant" but rather an "abuser". I had many emotional problems in my life. I spent many years going in and out of AA with the true intention of solving my drink problems. I went through two inpatient treatment centers and was always blaming myself without mercy. I decided to try to moderate and found this book very helpful. I know the troubles the authour had, but that does not negate the importance of treatement options. Even the big book of AA states that if you are unsure "go try some more contrlled drinking". However, AA provides no structure to do this and had no idea of much research to show that many abusers can moderate if the are tought how. I have been succesful for a month and have realized that it is not the substance, but the emotional states that determine my drinking. My drinking has actually decreased over the month. I work with a thereptist to identify possible emotional pitfalls that might leed me back to binge drinking, but I am VERY optomistic that this will solve a very real and dangerous problem where AA could not. I love AA and many of the people in it. I still go to open meetings and do not question anyones path in tackling this problem. For those of you that try your guts out, but can't succede in AA, why not try another approach? People in AA are already suggesting that maybe I was not a "true" alcoholic, but I sure did some scary stuff when binging. I have found a new freedom and a new peace. My God is still large and in charge, but I think I have found my solution. All problem dirinkers are NOT alocholoics in my mind. I also have read "alternatives to abstenacne" and a book about the nature of addiction. Don't be afraid if you are being honest. You can put safety rules in place to minimize dameage if you fail. At least then you will know in your heart you need abstinace.
Rating:
Summary: PLEASE TRY RATIONAL RECOVERY
Review: Moderation doesnt work: proof, this author, tragically caused a fatal accident and is serving time for vehicular homicide. Hey folks, take charge of your life ! Stop being a slave to your beast and you will find life to be more enjoyable WITHOUT booze! REALLY !! Read rational recovery, and make your plan...
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