How to Quit Drinking Without AA

Still others feel uncomfortable with the label “alcoholic,” or simply want to cut back—not quit completely as AA requires. Ria Health offers several FDA-approved medications for alcohol use disorder. When combined with counseling, this approach is proven highly effective.

Change your social scene

While Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has been the traditional go-to solution for people struggling with addiction, it is not the only path to Sobriety. 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. Routines also impart discipline and self-restraint which is a particularly valuable skill recovering addicts will need to relearn.

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Additionally, practicing meditation or mindfulness can help individuals manage stress and reduce the likelihood of relapse. Refuge Recovery is a Buddhist-inspired program that emphasizes mindfulness, compassion, and community. SMART Recovery is a science-based program that emphasizes self-empowerment and self-reliance. I continued on my path to getting sober without AA by attending a Master’s degree program in Spiritual Psychology. Their knowledge, insight, & compassion has been invaluable to me. Numerous other support groups, including SMART Recovery groups, LifeRing groups and SOS Alcoholism Program.

Many people who recognize that they have a drinking problem aren’t aware that there are alternatives to Alcoholics Anonymous. This article, for example, outlines the CORE process, which stands for Commit, Objectify, Respond, Enjoy. By employing these simple techniques, you can beat the bottle quietly — and for free — in the dignity of your own home. 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.

Jax Taylor

It felt like the longer I went without drinking, the more I wanted to drink. This would always lead me back to alcohol, whether I was sober for a few days, a few weeks, or even a few months. My name is Katie Lain, and I’ve been alcohol-free since the middle of 2018. I started a unique, neuroscience-based treatment approach in 2017 that transformed my relationship with alcohol without the need for traditional programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Relapse is very common during recovery, and it does not mean that you failed. If you experience relapse, the most important thing to do is pick back up with treatment and keep developing coping strategies to prevent the chances of relapse happening again.

• Technology and apps like Reframe provide personalized programs based on CBT principles, urge-surfing tools, and access to professional coaches and supportive communities.
• The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider.
• Whether this is some sort of spiritual program, giving back to your community, getting involved in recovery activism, is all up to you.
• Secular Organizations for Sobriety is not one specific program but rather a collection of programs that are autonomous from each other.
• There are many paths to changing your relationship with alcohol, and it may take some experimentation to figure out what treatment—or combination of treatments—is most effective for your unique needs.

So, if you’re looking for an alternative to AA, consider exploring sober living programs. 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. There are endless options to try for support and guidance if you’d struggling with alcohol. Club Soda created the Mindful Drinking Movement, which takes the concept of mindfulness, which people have applied liberally to food and mental drug addiction treatment health, and applies it to alcohol.

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. I learned how to change my thinkingI quickly new that my negative self-talk and judgments had to change so that I could sustain my recovery. Recovery isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation and even though there are a lot of people around the world who swear by Alcoholics Anonymous, that doesn’t mean it’s for everyone.

Is AA the only solution for addiction?

• Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health, which sometimes includes substance use disorders.
• I began to find joy in simple things again, like going for walks, watching movies, and indulging in sweets.
• Making healthy lifestyle changes can be an effective way to maintain Sobriety.
• You don’t have to do recovery the way other people are doing it, but you do need to create your own support system.

The article provides tips on dealing with relapses in the journey towards sobriety, including recognizing potential triggers and developing strategies to manage them. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining an optimistic outlook, reaching out to support networks, prioritizing self-care, and continually refining strategies based on previous experiences. 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. Recovery from alcohol or drug addiction is a personal journey, and no two people’s paths will look similar. For many years, the accepted options were to send folks to 30-day inpatient treatment or told them to go to AA. But there are other options, and as a society, we’re beginning to accept that those other options work.

• WFS puts particular emphasis on positive reinforcement, cognitive strategies, self-care, and group support.
• This curiosity isn’t driven by fear or the need to “fix” anything.
• I arrived seeking peace from emotional trauma, gaining personal spiritual insight, redirection in feeling chronic pain, and tools for developing emotional connection with my wife and children.
• Essentially, I wanted to drink but kept telling myself I shouldn’t.

Find an Alcohol Recovery Program Near You

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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. Thrive helps you take control of alcohol through naltrexone and the Sinclair Method, combining neuroscience and behavior change to transform your drinking habits for good. The timeline for quitting or reducing drinking varies widely from person to person. Some may see changes within a few weeks, while others might take several months. If you’re struggling with alcohol and traditional methods haven’t resonated, I want you to know there are alternatives.

• Start a group in your area or on a social networking site like Facebook, and watch it grow.
• Though AA may be the most well-known solution for alcohol abuse, it is far from the only one.
• Distance yourself from people who threaten the success of your sobriety.
• 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.
• Sharing progress with supportive circles instills confidence, while receiving feedback contributes positively to ongoing efforts.

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. I started asking myself deeper questions, like, ‚What need is alcohol meeting for me? ‚ This self-reflection helped me gradually break my unhealthy habits around drinking.

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Melody is here to help as you adjust to a life with less (or no) alcohol. You’ll meet hundreds of fellow Reframers in our 24/7 Forum chat and daily Zoom check-in meetings. Receive encouragement from people worldwide who know exactly what you’re going through! You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with our licensed Reframe coaches for more personalized guidance.