The action steps encourage us to delve deeply into our psyche, i.e., how our addiction altered our emotional and psychological well-being. It “teaches” you to lie, to not admit too much, to be focused on where the next drink is coming from, to make up excuses for bad behavior, and to blame others for our difficulties and our unhappiness. It also “teaches” us to keep psychologically distant from others lest they threaten our entitlement to drink. The goal is to protect the entitlement to drink—the right to drink like I want to drink and to avoid consequences.
Breaking the Cycle: The Role of Codependency in Substance Abuse
They can also be an invaluable source of practical advice for things like withdrawal and or even repairing relationships with estranged loved ones. Understanding the risks of alcohol and the signs of alcoholism can be a powerful motivator to stay sober. drug addiction Educate yourself about the long-term physical and psychological effects of alcohol abuse. When learning how to stop drinking, seeking professional help and support is of paramount importance. The guidance of a licensed therapist, counselor, or addiction specialist can be invaluable.
How To Quit Drinking Without AA
One of the strengths of AA is that it provides a community of people facing a similar challenge, and gives you access to others further along in the process. If you prefer not to attend AA, look for other ways to access this kind of community—whether that’s through other groups, a supportive social circle, or through a recovery coach or counselor. Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS) is a network of independent groups to help people achieve or maintain sobriety.
Building Strong Support Systems
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. 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. Interested in therapy that focuses on the positive side of things?
Your journey towards self-improvement begins with a single step, and we’re here to walk alongside you every step of the way. Don’t forget to prioritize self-care and seek out professional help if needed. There’s no shame in asking for help, and it can be a crucial step in maintaining Sobriety. Celebrating your progress will also serve as a reminder of the strength and determination you possess to maintain sobriety. All of these and more are legitimate reasons to look for an AA alternative. And fortunately, there are many other effective choices out there.
- With the help of every staff member, I am a better (sober) person.
- Additionally, make sure you’re getting enough sleep, as lack of sleep can worsen mood and anxiety.
- Organized in this manner, it is easier to talk—no criticism, no advice, no threat.
- Options like naltrexone and disulfiram have been around for several decades, and there are now half a dozen effective choices in total.
- Many of the activities that make for a healthy routine are also effective for relapse prevention.
- Taking Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) with other opioid medicines, benzodiazepines, alcohol, or other central nervous system depressants can cause breathing problems that can lead to coma and death.
They state they provide (but do not say how) a variety of behavioral change guidelines and measures for success. They offer 9 Steps Toward Moderation and Positive Lifestyle Change. If you or a loved one is struggling with substance misuse, help is available and recovery is possible. Professional treatment programs can put anyone battling addiction on the path to a better life.
Seeing a mental health professional can be a great asset, especially if you are diagnosed with a mental illness (or suspect that you might be). They can help to identify how mental illness played into excessive consumption of alcohol and provide specific methods for overcoming those challenges. This addiction recovery support group is for women with any type of substance use disorder, including AUD. Their New Life Program is based on 13 acceptance statements, and six levels of recovery. WFS puts particular emphasis on positive reinforcement, cognitive strategies, self-care, and group support. Getting sober without AA is possible with the right tools and support, including how to get sober without aa sober living programs, detoxification, and mental health awareness.
- Topamax is an anticonvulsant drug traditionally used to prevent seizures and migraine headaches.
- Research shows that peer-led mutual aid groups like SMART Recovery or LifeRing Secular Recovery have been successful in helping individuals maintain long-term sobriety.
- Learning effective strategies to manage cravings and peer pressure will also play a significant role.
- The key to lasting and long-term recovery from alcoholism on your own will come from taking away the best aspects of Alcoholics Anonymous and drug rehab and incorporating those practices into your daily life.
- Your recovery journey is yours for a reason – no one else can do it for you, and no one else can tell you where or when you should be on that recovery path.
Meetings consist of individuals who “share their experience, strength, and hope” on topics related to recovery, which are selected in various ways. There is no “feedback” given, and there is no general discussion, i.e., what we call “cross-talking”. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) are two types of therapy that have been shown to be effective in treating addiction. When you feel the urge to drink, try to distract yourself with something you enjoy doing. This can help you focus on something positive instead of turning to alcohol.