Author: superuser

A therapist can help you learn new coping skills, develop new thinking patterns, and address any co-occurring mental health conditions that may make recovery more difficult. Now that you are sober, you may have discovered that some of your past relationships were not only unhealthy but downright toxic. It’s not just your drinking buddies and drug dealers who can get you into trouble—sometimes those who are closest to you can contribute to a relapse.

Can You Actually Stay Sober Without AA?

For example, it is more effective at treating cocaine and opioid addictions than it is for tobacco and polydrug use (use of multiple substances). A 2014 study showed that “baseline motivation and self-efficacy” are key predictors of moderation success (5). In other words, those who are motivated and believe they can successfully moderate their drinking tend to have the best results. If you do wish to participate, you can create a free Reddit account to comment on others’ posts and make your own. Reddit does not require you to provide your name, photo, or even your email address. Developed by Dr. John D. Sinclair, the Sinclair Method is an evidence-based treatment for AUD that involves taking naltrexone.

Why You Drink When You Don’t Want To — And How to Stop for Good

Most people who make their way into recovery have left a lot of pain and suffering in their wake. Feeling guilty or ashamed of past behavior or actions during active addiction is natural and healthy. People in recovery from a substance use disorder frequently have problems meeting work-related responsibilities, maintaining employment, and managing money. If you were active in your addiction for a period of time, you may have developed financial problems. 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. If you are taking the process one day at a time and are doing the best you can with the tools you have, there is nothing to be ashamed of.

• Members work together to help the alcoholic who still suffers.
• You may be wondering why I would choose to stick with a 12-step format rather than just creating my own program from scratch.
• One common mistake for those who are new to alcohol and drug recovery is substituting a new compulsive behavior for their old one.
• Start a group in your area or on a social networking site like Facebook, and watch it grow.
• We either choose to accept it or make ourselves miserable by dwelling over it.

Recovering Without God

Celebrate every milestone and achievement, regardless of how small they may seem. Rewarding yourself for staying sober can positively reinforce your behavior and encourage you to continue on the path to sobriety. In the absence of alcohol, developing healthy coping mechanisms is essential for effectively managing stress and emotions. Practice deep breathing exercises, mindfulness techniques, or the habit of journaling to express your feelings and thoughts. When learning how to stop drinking, seeking professional help and support is of paramount importance.

Developing a New Sense of Self-Control

They all impact each other and are impacted by the others. The ultimate goal of this step is to engage regularly in the practice of mindfulness, which has been demonstrated time and again to benefit multiple areas of one’s mental health. Being mindful means being consciously aware of something (usually breath, bodily sensations, or thoughts) without judgment or resistance. The best way to practice this is through meditation, but it can be practiced throughout the day as well. The original version of this step is easily the most challenging for nonbelievers.

When anyone is learning how to overcome an alcohol addiction, it can be incredibly beneficial to seek professional help along the way. While it’s possible to quit drinking on your own, these experts have access to specialized tools, knowledge, and expertise to support you on the journey. One of the aspects that make Alcoholics Anonymous so effective is the ongoing and sometimes ruthless self-evaluation that the 12 steps Substance abuse encourage. Understanding why we used alcohol and confronting the extent of the problem are necessary steps for lasting change to occur.

Do You Need Meetings Like AA to Stay Sober?

Every time you direct your attention back to the breath, think of it as lifting a weight. Each time you do it, your attention muscle is getting a little bit stronger. You are getting a little more practice at staying in the moment despite your mind’s relentless efforts to pull you away from the here and now. This will happen a lot in the first few minutes of meditation, and will slowly quiet down as your session progresses. Some days you might notice very few thoughts, while other days you’ll feel like there is no hope of ever shutting your mind up.

AA is only of many ways to achieve and maintain sobriety. Addiction treatment professionals peg its average long-term effectiveness (meaning maintaining sobriety with no relapses for at least one full year) at somewhere between 8 and 12 percent. This is terrible and probably not much better than no program at all. Many people have indeed managed to defeat an addiction and maintain sobriety on their own for many years. Most people will need help to quit, especially for drugs with severe withdrawal syndromes like the opioids.

The personalized approach of professional help ensures that you receive tailored assistance. They’ll address your specific needs on the path to sobriety. For additional support, you can also look into professional outpatient treatment programs. Our Intensive Outpatient program consists of two individual therapy sessions each week, as well as group therapy sessions and educational didactic group sessions. Sharing your progress and setbacks with others can help you stay strong, and you can also benefit from learning about their journeys. As you seek recovery, it’s important to understand why you’re taking these steps to avoid alcohol.

If you do not have internet access at home, it is free in many places, including libraries. If you do not feel that AA is the program for you, the internet has many resources and may help people stay sober. There are some people who do not believe or do not agree with the 12-step strategy. Some people cannot make it to AA meetings due to transportation issues, work responsibilities, family commitments, or other reasons. If you experience these situations, there are other https://ecosober.com/ ways to stay sober without AA.

The information provided in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment options. If you have been diagnosed with AUD or are currently in recovery, finding support is mandatory for managing your addiction. One of the best parts of the 12-step program was that I felt welcomed into a community of people like me. I met people who knew the devastation of hardcore drinking, as well as the joys of living alcohol-free.

Many 12-step programs suggest that sobriety means total abstinence, which means never using the substance again. Other definitions, however, focus on the process of recovery and coping habits that support health and wellness over the long term. These are all important steps to take when trying to stay sober.

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• It is a chance for those of us who have been struggling to find a way to do the steps without compromising our beliefs to finally get busy on the work.
• I’ll sometimes find myself wishing I had a wine glass, too.
• In this powerful conversation we break down the real reasons your past attempts to quit drinking haven’t worked… and what it actually takes to get and stay sober—with a program or without one.
• The social aspect of groups like Alcoholics Anonymous can add a pleasant camaraderie that highlights that you are far from the only person struggling with alcoholism.
• Understand that it’s only a small part of you that wants the drink and it will go away once it realizes it’s not getting what it wants.

There is no hierarchy of leadership, nor are there any set rules for membership. If you say you are an alcoholic, you are welcome at meetings. AA does not require you to sign up for anything, nor does AA require the payment of any dues.

While relaxation has many benefits, the specific practice of mindfulness offers unique benefits that may not be as easily obtained by other means. With that being said, I strongly encourage you to try and do more. Many people report that they don’t even feel fully “in” their meditation until they’ve hit the 20-minute mark. Even if you don’t do it daily, pick one day a week where you take the time to do a long meditation session. There are significant changes that occur in your subjective experience after a sustained period of focused attention.

Learning How to Stay Sober Without AA

By utilizing this platform, you can receive the support you need during your recovery journey and connect with others facing similar challenges. In today’s digital age, there are numerous online platforms and apps designed to help individuals maintain sobriety and connect with others in recovery. These resources provide valuable support, information, and tools to assist you in your journey toward a healthier, alcohol-free life. Throughout this process, you’ll discover – if you haven’t already – that none of these steps exists in a vacuum.