Getting Sober Without AA: My Focus For the First Few Years of Recovery

Because there's no one-size-fits-all treatment for alcohol addiction, a handful of companies, many of them startups, have recognized that and developed different methods for achieving sobriety. If you're looking for new support group or an additional program to complement one you're already in, take a look at these five sober living communities that aren't AA. Of course, quitting or cutting back to your ideal amount is only the first step.

Stopping off at your favorite bar after work isn’t a good idea if you are trying to get out of your old routines. Exercise can help to reduce your urge to drink because it improves your mood and reduces anxiety. When you are feeling depressed and anxious, you are more likely to relapse.

Getting Sober: 17 Ways You Probably Didn’t Know About (#8 is Controversial)

Engaging in physical activity stimulates the production of endorphins - chemicals in your brain that act as natural painkillers and mood elevators. Furthermore, regular exercise can help to reduce cravings for alcohol which are often driven by stress or negative emotions, thus improving mental health. 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.

By Buddy T

Buddy 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. Shame is having negative beliefs about yourself and your self-worth. Guilt is having negative feelings about your past behavior. People in recovery can experience a lot of shame simply for having become addicted in the first place. Depending on the type of dependency, PAWS can last from six months to two years after you stop using drugs or alcohol.

Understanding Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): A Path to Recovery for Alcohol Misuse

The personalized approach of professional help ensures that you receive tailored assistance on the path to sobriety. If you’re wondering if it’s possible to achieve sobriety without attending AA meetings, getting sober without aa the answer is a resounding yes. I tried to go to AA the first time I got sober, and it was not a good fit for me. The first few days and weeks of recovery are some of the most difficult between...

Some aren’t comfortable with surrendering control to a higher power, or declaring themselves “powerless” over alcohol. Others feel recovery is a private experience, and don’t want to share their struggles with people they don’t know. Still others feel uncomfortable with the label “alcoholic,” or simply want to cut back—not quit completely as AA requires. Their program teaches skills that can help you stay motivated in your sobriety and cope with cravings.

Exploring Sober Living Programs

We met weekly for breakfast for several years until I lost contact. I fought off the temptation to indulge in dope for a couple of years. Until that fateful day, the illicit methadone ran out, so I resorted to quiet corners of upstate New York and copped a bundle of heroin. It wasn’t an immediate return to injecting heroin, mind you.