Whatever Happened to Controlled Drinking. In the '60s and '70s, the topic of controlled drinking as an intervention goal was a flashpoint for controversy. Three decades later, moderate problem-free drinking is widely reported as a treatment outcome, and has become a mainstream early intervention goal. -- Even when the announced treatment goal is abstention, about 10% of treated cases are found to be drinking moderately at follow-up. Empirical guidelines are presented for estimating the probability of a client succeeding with moderation versus abstinence, based on scores from the Alcohol Dependence Scale and the MAST. By docalexin Substance abuse, Abstinence, Harm Reductionwith abstinenceaddictioncontrolled-drinkingharm-reductionsubstance-abuseby 2 users