Frequently Asked Questions

What makes your moderate drinking program the best one?

The biggest reason is because we offer a clinically-proven behavioral-cognitive program teaching you sensible new drinking habits and attitudes. Some programs just offer products - like drugs and hypnosis tapes. "Products" aren't the answer for most drinkers. They need a moderate drinking "plan of action" which gives them specific behavioral, cognitive, motivational and lifestyle skills to beat alcohol craving and binge drinking. "Products" don't add up to moderate drinking long-term. Our behavioral-cognitive program does.

Another reason why we feel we're a notch above the rest is because we offer expert counseling, including phone coaching. Most other programs don't offer counseling. Years of research has shown that if a problem drinker gets a little counseling early on, they can "unlearn" bad drinking habits, "learn" healthy new ones and prevent alcoholism. That's why we feel we've got other programs beat.

Also, we not only work on your drinking habits and attitudes, we look at the issues behind your drinking. And we offer you holistic and alternative suggestions to address these issues so you can put them to rest so they no longer trigger your craving and bingeing.

We're proud of our proven track record too. Our solid commonsense program was developed in 1988 and was the first moderate drinking program in the United States. We've helped thousand of drinkers to maintain moderate drinking since then.

How are you different?

Again, the biggest differences between us and other programs is that we offer a clinically-proven behavioral-cognitive program and expert phone coaching. Other programs don't offer you a specific step-by-step program to change your drinking behavior. They give you vague suggestions and want to sell you products, attend meetings or blog with limited success.

We're also different because we're not backed by drug companies and we don't push prescription medications or hypnosis tapes. Even though drugs and hypnosis may work for a couple of weeks, they are not long-term solutions to an alcohol problem. The core of behavior change lies in consciously changing your habits and attitudes and decreased alcohol craving and consumption will follow.

I use my real name, Donna Cornett, and I don't hide behind an alias like others do. I'm a former problem drinker and have been a contented moderate drinker for years. In fact, I don't even think about my drinking anymore. I'm happy to talk to you personally about my drinking history and how it's changed since I developed this program years ago.

Can I just get the Goodbye Cravings! Toolkit and drink less?

It may take the edge off of your alcohol craving for a while, but without a specific moderate drinking plan of action offered with our programs, drinking less and maintaining moderate drinking won't last long. Remember, the key to permanent behavior change is the step-by-step approach we offer.

How will I know if moderate drinking is working for me?

If you can stick to your drink limit for a week, you know you're capable of moderate drinking. The catch is to keep up the good work so weeks turn into months and months turn into years without slipping back to your old habits. How do you do this? You need to stay motivated - on your own or with one of our programs. Envisioning your life without alcohol problems and reminding yourself of how your health, relationships, productivity and overall quality of life will improve when you're a moderate drinker is essential to staying motivated and succeeding long-term.

If you are able to maintain your sensible new drinking behavior for at least three months, these new habits will become ingrained and a part of your lifestyle. You'll crave less, you'll drink less and you'll think about alcohol less.

What if I get stuck or slip back?

Call me personally! We'll get you back on track in no time. If you're working the program on your own, start it from the beginning and remind yourself that pre-planning every drinking event is crucial to your success. Also, watch for dangerous drinking triggers and learn to handle them differently so they don't lead to bingeing. Finally, give yourself a passionate motivational pep talk everyday - especially if you're drinking that day. Important tips that spell out moderate drinking success long-term!