SY21-4 * WHY ABSTINENCE IS IMPORTANT AS A TREATMENT GOAL OF ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE?

Introduction. For a longtime, abstinence is the only way as a treatment goal of alcohol dependence. In recent years, however, harm reduction due to controlled drinking is supported as a additional therapeutic goal of alcohol dependence by some therapist. In the side of abstinence, this article reviews the reasons of the abstinence to the treatment of alcohol dependence. Method. Articles review which contents have abstinence or controlled drinking, moderation, harm reduction. Results. Abstinence should be recommend as a final goal of Alcohol dependent patient for the following reasons (1) Loss of control is core concept of definition of addiction (2) Long term follow up studies on drinking of alcohol dependence have revealed the failure of controlled drinking finally (3) Abstinence is more safe and simple way than controlled drinking (4) Should abstain due to reinstatement, which is a phenomenon that even after a long term period of abstinence, a cup of alcohol could result in the past pattern of heavy drinking. (5) Should abstain for prevent brain damage caused by repeated alcohol withdrawal Conclusion. Controlled drinking can be accepted as a way of treatment goal in mild alcohol use disorder cases but not in severe dependent person. And useful method as a transient goal to lead abstinence who do not willing accept abstinence as a final goal. The final goal of addiction treatment is not controlled drinking nor abstinence but recovery.