Celebrating your progress reminds you of your strength and determination to maintain sobriety. By Buddy TBuddy T is a writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Because he is a member of a support group that stresses the importance of anonymity at the public level, he does not use his photograph or his real name on this website. Shame is having negative beliefs about yourself and your self-worth.
Oar Health offers science-backed, effective treatment for people ready to change their relationship with alcohol. Our licensed clinicians can prescribe Food and Drug Administration-approved naltrexone for AUD. We provide an online Sober living home assessment, medical review, and personalized treatment plan. Their program teaches skills that can help you stay motivated in your sobriety and cope with cravings. Many people have found success with SMART’s alternatives to AA meetings.
- I’d get high once in a while when I had to cop for friends driving down to NYC from upstate.
- Keeping consistent routines such as morning alarms, mealtimes, and more can all help to structure each person’s daily sober life.
- If none of these options sound good to you, you can build the recovery community you feel is lacking in the world.
- If you have specific concerns or a situation arises in which you require medical advice, you should consult with an appropriately trained and qualified medical services provider.
- If the core of AA is meant to help people get and stay sober, it would adapt to a modern world and/or just stop denying that it is a program of God written by two sexist men that died ages ago.
How can I build a support system for staying sober without AA?
CBT can be an effective treatment method for individuals with substance use disorder, as it helps individuals identify and manage triggers that may lead to substance use. CBT can also help individuals develop healthy coping mechanisms and improve their overall mental health. Many people who misuse alcohol or drugs have getting sober without aa trouble dealing with anger. If left unchecked, anger can have a negative impact on your health and your lasting sobriety.
Medication
It is important to explore all options and find what works best for you in your journey toward Recovery and Sobriety. Another advantage of staying sober without AA is the opportunity to build a support system outside of the program. While AA meetings can provide a sense of community, it is possible to find support in other ways. One benefit of staying sober without AA is the ability to customize your own recovery plan. Without the constraints of a specific program, you have the freedom to explore different treatment options and find what works best for you. Someone overcoming an alcohol addiction needs a way to release stress, cope with life, and manage emotions without the help of drinking.
What Are Alternatives to AA?
A couple of these also include instructional manuals for learning to become a group leader. Moderation Management, This group began in 1993, providing peer support for reduction of drinking-either to lower levels or total abstinence. They state they provide (but do not say how) a variety of behavioral change guidelines and measures for success. One-on-one psychotherapy with a trained therapist is another way to address your drinking.
- It’s a support group that meets regularly to share experience, strength, and hope.
- For many years, the accepted options were to send folks to 30-day inpatient treatment or told them to go to AA.
- We also discuss detoxification’s importance and how mental health awareness plays an integral part in successfully quitting drinking.
- Whatever it is, new activities can lead to new friends with interests like yours.
- Workit 90 is an at-home recovery program that fits your life—with medication, commuity, and support all through our app.
- I don’t even think it’s possible to love and believe in yourself 100% of the time.
A 2014 study showed that “baseline motivation and self-efficacy” are key predictors of moderation success (5). In other words, those who are motivated and believe they can successfully moderate their drinking tend to have the best results. If you do wish to participate, you can create a free Reddit account to comment on others’ posts and make your own. Reddit does not require you to provide your name, photo, or even your email address.
What are some alternative programs to AA for staying sober?
For some others, this can manifest as a reminder of past substance use or may romanticize a person’s previous alcohol or drug use. Further, each person is often tasked with navigating any number of stresses throughout their continued sober journey. There are a few reasons why an individual may not resonate with AA programs. Developing relapse prevention strategies alongside professionals at Sandstone Care is essential for continued sobriety and overall wellness. Keeping consistent routines such as morning alarms, mealtimes, https://www.modirsteel.com/aa-addiction-recovery-shopping/ and more can all help to structure each person’s daily sober life. Keeping occupied is crucial to developing a healthy and sustainable sober life.
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No matter what your sobriety journey looks like, a supportive community can be crucial to sticking with it. It can help to have a trusted confidant or two with whom you can share your struggles, successes, and revelations. An open AA meeting is a meeting run by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) that welcomes anyone interested in AA, not just those dealing with alcohol issues themselves. Effective communication, building strong support systems, and embracing self-help approaches such as regular workouts and journaling can also aid in maintaining abstinence. Besides physical activities, another effective self-help strategy is journaling.
Build a Support Network
A balanced diet is a crucial component of a healthy lifestyle, especially during recovery. Eating nutritious foods and maintaining a well-rounded diet will provide your body with the essential nutrients it needs to perform optimally and support your overall health. Before going further, we should recognize that Alcoholics Anonymous does work for some people—and there’s nothing wrong with choosing that path if it’s a good fit. Discover expert strategies on how to solve withdrawal symptoms and effectively manage addiction recovery. Discover evidence-based approaches in contingency management for addiction treatment. Discover how yoga therapy for recovery supports physical, mental, and emotional healing on your journey.
However, an individual does not have to engage with these programs if they do not think they will be beneficial. However, there are some key strategies that can help prevent relapse. Others may find the hardest part of maintaining their sobriety is finding new social outlets and communities. Recovery is not something that is “completed.” Instead, it takes consistent effort, refinement, and adjustments to maintain each person’s sobriety. If you are looking for a rehab program that will offer the most intensive and long-term treatment possible, inpatient treatment is the best option for you.