Listmates -- does anyone have an answer to this request from the ADD_MED
listserve?  I can think of etiquette books around the time of Repeal like
(if I remember her name right) Phyllis Whitaker's Bacchus Behave!  But they
are telling presumptively "normal drinkers" how to behave.  Is there any
prior history of setting a goal of moderate drinking for presumed
inebriates?  Robin

>>John L. wrote:
>>
>>A.A., which recommends abstinence, also states formally
>>in its literature that "our hats are off" to anyone who can
>>learn to drink moderately, and expresses hope and confidence
>>that science will in tie come up with something that will help
>>those suffering from alcoholism.
>>


Stephen Jurd replied:
>Yes, John,
>I think AA probably coined the term "controlled drinking". On pages 31 & 32
>of the AA Big Book, it says: "We do not like to pronounce any individual
>alcoholic, but you can quickly diagnose yourself. Step over to the nearest
>barroom and try some controlled drinking. Try and drink and stop abruptly.
>Try it more than once. It will not take long for you to decide if you are
>honest with yourself about it."
>
>Does Robin or any of our history buffs know of earlier references to
>"controlled drinking" than 1939?
>