"This is the second edition of a book written by a psychologist with many years' experience in counseling patients with alcohol problems. The author dispenses practical advice for those wanting help in moderating their drinking or in learning how to abstain permanently. The second edition has two new chapters, and the other chapters are updated with new self-diagnostic questionnaires and summaries of recent research into substance abuse." -- Provided by publisher.

Revised edition of: Take control of your drinking--and you may not need to quit. 2007.

Making sense of your situation -- Do you have a drinking problem? -- Why does drinking cause you difficulty? -- Self-medication -- Before you get started -- Getting ready and staying motivated -- Can you really help yourself? -- You may need medical help -- What to do: Abstinence or moderation? -- Moderating your drinking -- Moderation: General techniques -- Your personal moderate drinking contract -- Bumps and detours with moderate drinking -- Quitting drinking and staying sober -- Managing your thoughts to quit drinking -- What you must do to quit drinking -- Managing urges to use -- Slips and falls on the path to sobriety -- Other resources -- The need for outside help -- Self-help groups and apps -- Professional treatment -- Medications -- Other drug use in recovery -- Can you smoke marijuana?