Non-AA Recovery Groups: 5 Alternatives to Alcoholics Anonymous

For more information about Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) see Suboxone.com, the full Prescribing Information, and Medication Guide, or talk to your healthcare provider. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of drugs to the FDA. 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. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health, which sometimes includes substance use disorders.

Step 6: Build Support for Recovery

I often write about stigma, harm reduction, recovery, health & personal growth. They offered testing, treatment, and sterile works nd injecting supplies. The best part about Swan was they also allowed us to use their facility as a safe place to inject heroin and other drugs. I went there for 3 years, and during this time, they reversed many overdoses and never lost https://ecosoberhouse.com/ a life. Learning effective strategies to manage cravings and peer pressure plays a significant role in resisting temptations and remaining committed to sobriety. Along this path, I stumbled into a CASAC 350-hour training program, a twist I didn’t anticipate but welcomed like an old friend, opening the doors to becoming a substance abuse counselor in New York.

Recognize Relapse Warning Signs

Sobriety coaches work with clients to reduce or stop their drinking, often using CBT techniques like motivational interviewing (MI). A 2018 study found that MI can have a positive effect on people with AUD, including increasing their self-esteem (7). Find a support system that works for you and take the steps necessary to begin your journey of recovery today. The primary advantage of Disulfiram is that it serves as a powerful deterrent for drinking, as the distasteful side effects linked to consuming alcohol are enough to dissuade someone from drinking. Furthermore, it can help to diminish cravings and boost motivation to remain sober. If you’re involved in a 12-step program, you likely already know the importance of milestones.

What is behind your drinking?

It’s difficult to admit that you have lost control over your substance use. This scientifically proven treatment teaches you how to regulate your emotions and end self-destructive cycles. Drug and alcohol abuse is often caused by problems in personal relationships. Codependency and controlling and passive-aggressive behavior are at the root of many addictions. An important part of recovery is addressing these issues and setting boundaries.

Check with your health insurance provider, ask friends for referrals, or browse therapy directories like Psychology Today and GoodTherapy. If you are able to maintain moderate drinking, it may work for you. But if you find yourself falling into previous unhealthy drinking habits, abstinence may be your better option. It’s understandable if you don’t want to share this part of your life with friends or family. No matter what your sobriety journey looks like, a supportive community can be crucial to sticking with it.

How to quit drinking and stay sober without AA

• If you don’t have a family or strong social circle to return to post formal treatment, a personalized plan may include interpersonal therapy, which can help you build a healthy social network.
• RehabAdviser.com is a tool for individuals seeking to find a Drug and/or Alcohol Rehab.
• By using Naltrexone in conjunction with counseling and other recovery resources, you can increase your chances of maintaining sobriety.
• If you’re wondering if it’s possible to achieve sobriety without attending AA meetings, the answer is a resounding yes.
• People started to stop and talk to me, engage with me, and bring me books to read, clothes, and home-cooked food during the holidays.

There are endless options to try for support and guidance if you’d struggling with alcohol. As mentioned above, there are many ways to become and stay sober from alcohol; it is not a numbers game. 1000 people attending an AA meeting at a megachurch is just as powerful as a single person becoming sober on their own for one day.

• Be it a brisk walk, a jog, or a sweat-inducing workout, each step was a step away from the lure of old habits.
• As stated above, support can help the individual stick to treatment through the duration of the program.
• By using Acamprosate along with counseling and other recovery resources, you can strengthen your commitment to sobriety and improve your overall quality of life.
• Reddit does not require you to provide your name, photo, or even your email address.
• Related to harm reduction, but also useful for complete sobriety, medications for alcohol use disorder are gaining increased popularity.
• Let’s explore some of the available alternatives to AA and 12-step programs.
• Researchers found that 24% of AA or 12-step participants remained fully abstinent from alcohol after 12 months (2).

Practice deep breathing exercises, mindfulness techniques, or journaling to express your feelings and thoughts. Regular exercise releases endorphins, serving as a natural mood booster and providing getting sober without aa a healthier outlet for emotional release. Explore various coping strategies to find what works best for you, enabling you to handle life’s challenges better and promoting long-term sobriety.

Step 2: Reach Out

Having people you see regularly and are all working towards the same goal also provides a level of accountability. Having to face your group of peers and admit that you broke your sobriety can be a powerful deterrent in the face of weakening resolve. You don’t need to go through an organization or any other formal channels to find this type of community. It can be as simple as your existing friend group who checks in on each other through text, or commiserating with online strangers on a sobriety memes account on social media.

• Regular attendance at group meetings, meditation, personal inventory, mentorship, retreat, and service are integral components of the program, ensuring your success and growth.
• One of the aspects that make Alcoholics Anonymous so effective is the ongoing and sometimes ruthless self-evaluation that the 12 steps encourage.
• You might find that one of the best parts about not drinking is that you don’t waste away the next morning sleeping and feeling hungover.
• It’s an AA alternative that involves 17 steps instead of 12, and supports moderate drinking and harm reduction in addition to full sobriety.
• Sober Grid is a social networking app that connects individuals in recovery, providing a supportive community for staying sober.
• This may include connecting with friends and family, joining a sober living community, or attending support groups that align with your personal values and beliefs.

Harm Reduction Works: A Personal Case Study of Harm Reduction Injected with Gratitude.