A University of New Mexico psychologist who helped pioneer research into controlled drinking has published a new book that synthesizes decades of evidence on alcohol’s risks and offers practical tools for people who want to reduce or quit drinking.
Science-based guidance for personal decisions
William R. Miller, a distinguished professor of psychology and psychiatry at UNM, and longtime collaborator Ricardo F. Muñoz update their work in Rethinking Drinking: Making the Right Choice for You, scheduled for release Sept. 1. The book revisits methods developed over nearly 50 years of research and incorporates current scientific findings about alcohol’s health effects to help readers decide whether and how to change their drinking.
The authors do not prescribe a single course of action for everyone. Instead, the book aims to provide information and tools so individuals can make informed choices about their alcohol use. It retains the core strategies for reducing consumption that Miller and Muñoz developed in earlier editions while adding contemporary evidence on the benefits and risks of drinking.
“Doctors routinely ask about drinking as a health concern and recommend cutting down or quitting if it’s above a certain amount,” Miller said.
Historical context and shifting norms
Miller and Muñoz originally published How to Control Your Drinking in 1976. A second edition from 1982 focused on reducing alcohol intake rather than insisting on abstinence, a stance that was controversial at the time. Miller said that prevailing views then assumed people diagnosed with alcoholism could not safely drink in moderation, and that others had little reason to worry about their drinking.
Over ensuing decades, research and public health practice have changed perceptions. Health professionals now more routinely screen for alcohol use and advise reduction when consumption exceeds recommended limits. Miller noted that recommended drinking limits have generally declined as evidence about alcohol’s health impacts has accumulated.
Tools and approach
The new book combines scientific framing with practical, self-directed methods. It includes:
- Self-quizzes and checklists to help readers assess their drinking
- Strategies rooted in behavior-change research for cutting back without relying on alcohol
- Guidance to align individual goals with health information
Rather than urging universal cessation or universal moderation, Miller and Muñoz present a model that centers personal goals, informed by research on the harms and benefits of alcohol. That approach reflects both the evidence base developed over decades and changes in social patterns: Miller noted that younger generations appear to be drinking less than older cohorts and that alcohol-free alternatives have become more popular.
What stays the same and what’s new
The book retains the core content on how to reduce drinking, updated to reflect “50 years of science,” according to Miller. It also adds information on the contemporary landscape of alcohol use, including cultural shifts and evolving clinical recommendations. The combination of historical perspective, updated science and actionable techniques is intended to serve clinicians, counselors and individuals seeking change.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1976 | Original publication of How to Control Your Drinking |
| 1982 | Second edition emphasizing reduction published by UNM Press |
| 2026 | Rethinking Drinking release (Sept. 1) |
Public-health practitioners have increasingly encouraged clinicians to screen for alcohol use and to recommend reduction when appropriate. By offering an evidence-based, individual-centered resource, Miller and Muñoz aim to make the extensive research on behavior change and alcohol accessible and usable for a broad audience.
As conversations about alcohol’s role in health and society continue to evolve, the book seeks to bridge scientific findings and everyday decisions, giving readers tools to set and meet their own goals in light of the latest evidence.
