This study analyzed life story themes of 30 Moderation Management (MM) members. MM is the only mutual-help organization in the U.S. that supports problem drinkers who wish to moderate their alcohol consumption. Qualitative interview data indicated that MM involvement was often precipitated by a conscious rejection of the 12-step philosophy espoused in Alcoholics Anonymous and in many professional treatment programs. In particular, MM members did not believe that their problem drinking was a...