Moderation programs are less costly, shorter in duration, less intensive, and have higher success rates than traditional abstinence-only approaches. Nine out of ten problem drinkers today actively and purposefully avoid traditional treatment approaches. This is because they know that most traditional programs will label them as "alcoholic", probably force attendance at 12 step and abstinence based meetings, and prescribe lifetime abstinence as the only acceptable change in drinking. They may also have real concerns about how their participation in these programs will affect their jobs and ability to attain future medical and life insurance. Moderation management is seen as a less threatening first step, and one that problem drinkers are
