How to Achieve Sobriety Without AA: 8 Powerful Strategies by John Makohen

Counseling can help individuals identify and manage triggers that may lead to substance use. Additionally, counseling can help individuals develop healthy coping mechanisms and improve their overall mental health. You can quit drinking without Alcoholics Anonymous by understanding your addiction and ignoring your cravings. When you first get sober, set your intention and make a clear plan so you know exactly what you’re doing. Whenever you get a craving, distract yourself by doing something you enjoy, like watching TV, learning a new hobby, or cooking a meal.

Reasons People Choose To Quit Without Rehab

  • That said, there are many options to consider if you want to quit drinking without Alcoholic Anonymous.
  • Once they are sober, they realize it was not a good option at all.
  • AA If you like the accountability and community of regular meetings, SMART Recovery may be a good option for you.
  • The course includes weekly live sessions, weekly recorded lectures, Q&A sessions, daily guided meditations, intention-setting and more.
  • It all comes down to your individual needs—but it can be much easier to make a decision if you have professional advice.
  • Too many people are stuck believing they have no other choice.
  • Finally, there are a range of online support communities, including SoberGrid and Daybreak, that can give you allyship along your journey.

Further, many people struggle to view themselves as a person who would need the support of a rehab center, due to this same shame. Finally, if you’ve tried self-help strategies and find yourself not able to fully quit drinking, it may be time to seek professional help. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to stopping alcohol use and treating alcohol misuse, but no matter how severe the issue may seem, recovery is possible getting sober without aa for every person. For many people with a substance use disorder, it’s simply a matter of never having learned the appropriate way to manage anger. Talk to your therapist, other healthcare provider, or sponsor about how to deal with your anger in ways that won’t cause you to harm yourself or others or turn to alcohol or drugs. If you find it difficult to make new, sober friends, try joining a support group.

How to Quit Drinking Without Going to AA

  • Therapy can be effective in helping individuals stay sober without AA.
  • The program is based around the Twelve Steps to help its members achieve complete abstinence from alcohol use.
  • The twelve steps is the only way to get sober and stay sober.
  • One study found that mutual support groups can be as effective as 12-step programs and may help improve the odds of success for people who are committed to maintaining a lifetime of total abstinence.

While I have my share of bad days and difficult times, I dislike dwelling on the negative. The soul-crushing rat race of corporate life was already sucking the life out of me. But even though my job was only 15 miles away from home, I’d spend 3 hours driving in traffic each day commuting to and from work. Stay tuned for more insights and practical tips on emotional well-being in future articles and episodes. Together, we can unlock the full potential of our emotional goals and create lives worth living. Instead of shunning them, I was grateful for their kindness and went to Sunday worship for breakfast, warmth, and companionship.

So to answer the question – how do we feel about AA?

getting sober without aa

One of the challenges of getting sober with AA is about willpower. 12 step philosophy emphasizes surrendering control to higher power. Nevertheless, many people in the rooms end up “white-knucking” their way through sobriety, especially in the early stages.

What Is Alcoholics Anonymous?

Your intentions may be good, but it takes more than willpower to avoid having a relapse. I have a friend who knew she had a problem with alcohol and went to an AA meeting when she was 25. She said, “If this is what getting sober is like, I’ll just keep drinking.” Thankfully, 15 years later, she found another way and is thriving in recovery. One of the biggest debates in the recovery world is about whether or not you can stay sober without AA. ” I think this is important to talk about, and share some thoughts about.

What are some books or resources that can help me stay sober without AA?

  • I strongly prefer uplifting support and if I had my way, would want to talk more about strategy than how bad things can or could get.
  • From where I sat, I was nothing like them, meaning I was okay and didn’t really need help.
  • While AA meetings can provide a sense of community, it is possible to find support in other ways.
  • Some people need a regular, predictable schedule to stick with change or establish new habits.

So, I don’t know if going to a weekly meeting or multiple weekly meetings would be something I still want to do. Looking back, I do see all the signs and can finally admit that I am and will always be an alcoholic. But, I feel really proud that I was able to recover in a way that makes me happy and that truly resonates with me! Everybody else in the room had faced severe consequences as a result of their alcohol abuse. From where I sat, I was nothing like them, meaning I was okay and didn’t really need help. I was far more stubborn back then than I am now and would probably give a few different meetings a go if it was my last option or if I was faced with the possibility of relapse.

getting sober without aa

We are here to provide assistance in locating an Ark Behavioral Health treatment center that may meet your treatment needs. To find a sober coach, search Google for local options or explore coaching databases like Bark and Noomii. When searching for a therapist, it’s a good idea to look for one who specializes in AUD or addiction.

getting sober without aa

It’s the first step towards recovery, preparing your body for further treatment. So, if you’re looking for an alternative to AA, consider exploring sober living programs. Remember, there’s https://ecosoberhouse.com/ no one-size-fits-all approach to recovery. The blog post further explores effective ways to deal with potential relapses, emphasizing recognizing triggers and managing them strategically.

Sober Questioning: How to Count the Days of Sobriety – The Cut

Sober Questioning: How to Count the Days of Sobriety.

Posted: Wed, 10 Aug 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]