The helpline at RehabAdviser.com is available 24/7 to discuss the treatment needs of yourself or a loved one. This helpline is answered by Ark Behavioral Health, an addiction treatment provider with treatment facilities in Massachusetts and Ohio. In some cases, there may be medication that can help with a drug or alcohol problem.

Moderation Management Support Groups

You nor your loved one are under any obligation to commit to an Ark Behavioral Health treatment program when calling our helpline. Even if you choose not to do AA, that doesn’t mean you have to fight your addiction alone. A counselor can address your personal issues and hold you accountable for your addiction. Using meditation, you can discover the triggers behind your addiction. For example, a lot of people don’t feel comfortable with the religious aspects of AA. AA isn’t explicitly religious, but it did grow out of a Christian organization called The Oxford Group.

Recovery Dharma Online

• It’s also helpful to change your environment—for instance, avoid going to bars.
• It’s another strong option for those looking for secular alternatives to AA meetings.
• Regardless of the approach you choose, certain tips and strategies can make you much more likely to succeed at quitting alcohol long-term.
• Are you seeking a path to sobriety without attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings?
• By joining local sober meetups and social events, you can connect with others in recovery or with similar interests, creating a supportive network that fosters sobriety.
• Moreover, American deaths related to alcohol more than doubled between 1999 and 2017.
• It requires dedication, commitment, and a willingness to seek out alternative methods of support.

I frequented syringe service programs, not just for sterile needles, but to congregate with harm reductionists and other peers who were ex-drug users. I frequented gatherings devoid of the once-tempting siren call of drugs and alcohol, challenging my social anxieties to a duel and learning, bit by bit, to engage in the raw, unfiltered reality of sober socializing. Engaging in sober activities fills your time and helps you discover new aspects of yourself. It provides a sense of achievement and fulfillment, fostering a healthier and more balanced lifestyle. Many people in recovery find a lot of free time and need to fill it with healthy and fulfilling pursuits. Explore hobbies and interests that ignite your passion and sense of purpose.

How to Stay Sober

I’m 9 years sober, and I’d like to explore 8 powerful strategies I used to create fulfillment in a life of recovery. If you’re wondering if it’s possible to achieve sobriety without attending AA meetings, the answer is a resounding yes. I tried to go to AA the first time I got sober, and it was not a good getting sober without aa fit for me. Studies generally show that other treatments might result in about 15 percent to 25 percent of people who remain abstinent. With A.A., it’s somewhere between 22 percent and 37 percent (specific findings vary by study). And, as with any treatment, it doesn’t work perfectly all the time.

Developing Healthy Coping Mechanisms

SOS provides individuals with alternatives to spirituality-based recovery programs. SOS hosts both online and physical face-to-face meetings to help people overcoming any form of addiction, from behavioral addictions to drug and alcohol addictions. If you’ve been curious about how to stop drinking alcohol and get sober, you might be wondering where to start.

How to Stay Sober Without AA

One way to do this is to practice mindfulness, which can help you stay present and aware of your thoughts and feelings. Ultimately, the decision to stay sober without AA is a personal one. It is important to explore all options and find what works best for you in your journey toward Recovery and Sobriety. 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. Another advantage of staying sober without AA is the opportunity to build a support system outside of the program.

Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS)

In communicating with people considering sobriety, preconceived notions about AA are the most common point of disinterest in making the change for themselves, and I understand why. Alcohol consumption and abuse may cause you to look tired and puffy. Deciding to quit isn’t easy, but it’s a brave and commendable first step toward becoming sober. You may not be completely ready to stop drinking or know exactly how to get sober from alcohol, but even just having the thought that you want to stop and need help is a good place to start. Our holistic approach supports your physical, mental, and spiritual health through a range of evidence-based treatment modalities. Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS) programs are a conglomeration of recovery programs, both online and in-person, which provide an alternative to AA.

• Ultimately, the decision to stay sober without AA is a personal one.
• In the absence of alcohol, developing healthy coping mechanisms is essential for effectively managing stress and emotions.
• Furthermore, it can help to diminish cravings and boost motivation to remain sober.
• Such symptoms are often related to mood and may include irritability, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and fatigue.

They can help you decide what treatment methods are right for you. Search our rehab directory to find the nearest treatment center to you. As one example, a prominent complaint about 12-step programs is the spiritual aspect.

That might have something to do with differences in recovery goals. For example, AA really emphasizes total abstinence from drinking as the solution to alcohol addiction. Groups like SMART and LifeRing, meanwhile, can be friendlier to the idea of members moderating their drinking but not quitting altogether.

Use a drink-tracking app, a notebook, or a breathalyzer to record how much you are actually drinking every day. This will keep you honest with yourself and your support system, and help you stick to your goals. Either way, if you find yourself avoiding AA because you don’t want to quit drinking completely, this is a good solution to look into—and there are many ways to access it. There are advantages to the 12 step method, and many people experience success with it. However, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) doesn’t mesh with everyone’s perspective. Some elements of the program, including the belief in a higher power, aren’t the right fit for everyone.