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

And others have the goal to quit drinking, but don’t find other aspects of AA to align with their values. MM holds that problem drinking is not always the same thing as addiction, and in less severe instances, individuals may be able to moderate their drinking instead of abstaining completely. Moderation may not be the best strategy for everyone, https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/how-to-approach-a-person-who-prefers-avoiding-conflicts/ MM acknowledges, but it may work well for some. 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.

After Rehab: How To Stay Sober When You Come Home From Treatment

Efforts are made to accept thoughts and actions as self-destructive, learn how to cope with the emotions and behaviors that are created through alcohol addiction, and then overcome them. Women are encouraged to go over the 13 acceptance statements each morning and then work through them throughout the day, reflecting on them each night. Kali Lux is a consumer marketing leader with a focus on healthcare and wellness. She has over a decade of experience in building and operating metrics-driven brand, demand generation, and customer experience teams. But there have always been plenty of folks for whom AA doesn’t work.

Building a Strong Support System

It’ll foster empathy and understanding toward those struggling with addiction. Having people who believe in you and your journey can boost your confidence. They’ll also provide emotional backing during difficult times. I often write about stigma, harm reduction, recovery, health & personal growth.

How common is relapse?

The review adds to the decades-long debate over AA’s effectiveness and suggests AA is a worthwhile tactic to get — and stay — sober. Self-directed recovery enables you to design a plan of recovery that takes account of your individual needs and goals. It was so empowering to finally be able to think for myself—to not adhere to these set out rules that I can’t relate to and that only induce fear and direct my behavior.

That way you can be aware of your responses to these triggers. 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. Although these new activities are healthy and productive, they can be a stumbling block to lasting recovery if they become a transfer addiction to fill the void left by the original addiction. Financial troubles and problems finding and keeping employment are major triggers for relapse, but it is possible to take baby steps and get your finances in order.

• No matter what your sobriety journey looks like, a supportive community can be crucial to sticking with it.
• The study authors theorize this effect materializes because AA is based on social interaction, which fosters long-term participation.
• I learned how to create a self-nurturing practiceAs I learned to love myself, I formed a daily practice that would support myself and my recovery process.5.
• While AA meetings can provide a sense of community, it is possible to find support in other ways.
• Lastly but importantly for staying sober without AA are self-help approaches like regular workouts and journaling that could assist maintain focus amidst emotionally challenging periods of rehab stages.

After all, you can’t hang around your drug dealer or old drinking buddies and expect to remain sober for very long. Many of the activities that make for a healthy routine are also effective for relapse prevention. Actions that focus on mindfulness will make it easier to work through cravings and moments of temptation.

• If you do wish to participate, you can create a free Reddit account to comment on others’ posts and make your own.
• Analysis of the data suggests that AA, as well as other 12-step programs, is significantly better at helping people abstain from alcohol than other interventions or no intervention.
• There are lots of sobriety tricks that can lead to astonishing results.
• Your journey towards self-improvement begins with a single step, and we’re here to walk alongside you every step of the way.

This will empower you enough to stay focused on your sobriety journey. One of the keys to maintaining sobriety is recognizing and steering clear of triggers and temptations. Identifying situations, environments, or people that might prompt you to drink is crucial. These activities will not only fill your time but also help you discover new aspects of yourself. Engaging in sober activities can also provide a sense of achievement and fulfillment.

Are there any controversial treatments for addiction?

• Trained professionals can help you integrate whatever medication is available into your treatment program.
• WFS uses 13 acceptance statements to support its “New Life” Program that asks members to focus their energies on positivity over negativity.
• In the meantime, maybe you can find a few more opportunities to have meals together, since your daughters seem to eat well at the table with you.
• Now they are at a more independent age where we often don’t eat meals together because we aren’t on the same schedule.

Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS) programs are a conglomeration of recovery programs, both online and in-person, which provide an alternative to AA. Sobriety isn’t achieved overnight; it requires commitment getting sober without aa and dedication over time. No feat is too small; each step forward brings you closer to your goal. Sober living programs are a great alternative for those seeking a structured environment to support their recovery.