I think the website has been going through a phase lately in favor of Antabuse and Lenair.
The web community created and fostered by RJ is really amazing, so many smart if often sad people! I have learned an extraordinary amount just by reading.
In terms of the program itself, I think what it fosters is use of effective medication (topomax in the book) where appropriate, relaxation and visualization, treatment in privacy in your own home, supplements to get your body healthy again, support from a strong anonymous online community and no insistence for abstinence. In fact the book is about a woman who wants to moderate.
In practice, what I see is that Topomax can help people moderate but some are turned off by the side effects or by the idea of taking an anti-seizure medication. I think if people were willing to take medication, more could probably achieve moderation. Without it, I don't see many able to achieve moderation so we see this web community develop mostly around the goal of abstinence. It could also be that people able to moderate are not getting a lot of support because so many seem to be failing at it.
The basic principles of the program are still very sound. I agree with all of them and think that what is needed is a better medication as the corner stone with fewer side effects. Also we have to recognize people with drinking problems are not all alike as AA proclaims. We probably need different programs and maybe some could moderate.
I think Roberta's book My Way Out is really a great, inspiring story about a woman taking things into her own hands. I would also like to add that I think she has done a great service to women with drinking problems as I think the needs are different from those of men.
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