I’ve noticed that if I say “I won’t do this anymore at all”, it doesn’t work. But if I say “I’ll only spend this much this month on sex workers, gambling, etc.” I’m able to mellow down. I’ve also noticed some people suggest that moderation doesn’t work and you should try to be as cold turkey as possible.
The issue with moderation is how it requires a rational actor to, well, moderate use or a behavior. At some point during a persons “addiction” the ability to execute control over those behaviors lessens until it eventually breaks. The time table on this varries and for some they may be able to stick to whatever rules they set, however if you ask anyone whose been in this position they would tell you how often their thoughts / emotions were consumed by a phenomenon called craving.
Everything everyone said about each person being different is valid, but by and large, the best way to minimize negative impacts of whatever “addiction” we are talking about (process or substance) is to cease completely.