Another draw of AA for many is that it can put the meaning back in life, helping you find a power greater than yourself, and getting you involved in service with others in your community who need help. Whether or not you are interested in a spiritual program, finding something to live for (other than booze) can motivate your recovery. Whether this is some sort of spiritual program, giving back to your community, getting involved in recovery activism, is all up to you. Workit Health providers can and do prescribe medication (as appropriate) as part of treatment for alcohol use disorder. Take our short alcohol quiz to learn where you fall on the drinking spectrum and if you might benefit from quitting or cutting back on alcohol.
Can I Quit Alcohol Cold Turkey?
Moderation may not be the best strategy for everyone, MM acknowledges, but it may work well for some. With a bustling online community and local meetings throughout the United States, LifeRing Secular Recovery is an alternative to traditional, spiritually based, 12-Step programs such as AA. LifeRing believes that each individual holds their own key to recovery, and it is not necessary to then place control in the hands of a spiritual being. Staying sober without AA can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. One effective way to stay sober is to develop coping mechanisms that work for you. Coping mechanisms can be anything from meditation to hobbies, such as painting or playing an instrument.
- And also, no one should feel like any attempts at sobriety deserve an asterisk next to them if they’re not approved by AA’s International Federation of Higher Power Association.
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a treatment method that uses medication to help individuals manage their substance use disorder.
- For people with severe alcohol use disorder, or who expect intense withdrawal symptoms, some form of medical detox may be necessary.
- Therapy can be effective in helping individuals stay sober without AA.
- It is also common for people to project the one thing that eventually worked for them onto others as the only way to be sober.
Benefits of Support Groups for Alcohol Addiction Recovery
My company, Workit Health, has offers online, science-backed courses to help you beat alcohol use disorder from your computer or phone. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health, which sometimes includes substance use disorders. Because they are able to prescribe medication, psychiatrists can be particularly helpful if you believe you have underlying anxiety or depression you are managing with alcohol. Aside from support groups, there are many other ways to get help for your alcohol use. But if you don’t want to put your life on pause, there are also outpatient centers and telehealth programs that can fit within your schedule.
Avoiding Triggers and Temptations
I continued on my path to getting sober without AA by attending a Master’s degree program in Spiritual Psychology. Depending on the type of dependency, PAWS can last from six months to two years after you stop using drugs or alcohol. The accommodations, food and amenities are better than even the best hotel. And most of all, the recovery program is powerful, educational, thorough, and thoughtfully designed.
Is AA the only solution for addiction?
Your sobriety is your own, and how you do it is entirely up to you. Many more modern “sobriety programs” exist that are suitable solutions for people seeking sobriety with others without the issues mentioned above, such as SMART Recovery. There are also many online support groups full of friendly strangers ready to cheer you on, answer your questions, and support you without judgment. The fundamental belief of Alcoholics Anonymous, which is that we shouldn’t drink alcohol 100% of the time, works. I also think that, if possible, it is a great idea to make amends with the people and things that make you feel regret.
- Again, I think this may just be a function of being at the wrong meeting, but I didn’t know that at the time.
- There are also online treatment programs to help you quit drinking without AA.
- This isn’t talked about in 12-step much but it’s a life-saver.
- 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.
- It’s the first step towards recovery, preparing your body for further treatment.
- SMART Recovery programs avoid labels, such as “alcoholic,” and shy away from the disease model of addiction.
In summary, if AA doesn’t feel like the right fit for you, there are many options and many effective paths to choose from to better match your needs and beliefs. It’s important to recognize that Alcoholics Anonymous does work for some people—and there’s nothing wrong with choosing https://ecosoberhouse.com/ that path if it’s a good fit. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) are two types of therapy that have been shown to be effective in treating addiction. You can also try talking to a therapist or a trusted friend about your emotions.
Finally, many residential and outpatient programs are based on 12 step philosophy. If this perspective is a reason you want to stop drinking without AA, these won’t be suitable. HAMS is a peer-led group that provides support and information to those who want to change their drinking habits. It’s an AA alternative that involves 17 steps instead of 12, and supports getting sober without aa moderate drinking and harm reduction in addition to full sobriety. Women for Sobriety (WFS) is a program that is specifically engineered to focus on women’s treatment needs and what will best support their recovery. The groups are led by moderators and serve to promote emotional and spiritual growth free from the bounds of alcohol abuse and addiction.
Practice Healthy Living
Peer support is a big part of LifeRing recovery programs, as individuals share advice with other members, and offer support and encouragement in recovery. LifeRing focuses mainly on the present – on living a full and positive sober life without dwelling too much on past indiscretions and hurts that may have been the result of problematic drinking. One of the most popular forms of alcohol addiction management and recovery support is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), a 12-Step program. AA is a peer recovery and self-help program that is spiritual in nature and calls on its members to turn their lives over to a higher power.
So You’re Trying to Stay Sober Without AA?
Online rehab is the least disruptive, letting you talk to doctors and coaches from home via your phone. Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS) is a network of independent groups to help people achieve or maintain sobriety. It’s another strong option for those looking for secular alternatives to AA meetings. There are advantages to the 12 step method, and many people experience success with it. However, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) doesn’t mesh with everyone’s perspective and needs.