Non-AA Recovery Groups: 5 Alternatives to Alcoholics Anonymous

Outpatient rehab lets you continue living at home and attend treatment for several hours per day. Online rehab is the least disruptive, letting you talk to doctors and coaches from home getting sober without aa via your phone. Before going further, we should recognize that Alcoholics Anonymous does work for some people—and there’s nothing wrong with choosing that path if it’s a good fit.

Why Harm Reduction combined with recovery coaching meets readiness for change.

• Besides physical activities, another effective self-help strategy is journaling.
• Treatment centers can help to keep you safe from the triggers and stressors in your everyday life.
• Alcoholics Anonymous, and many older treatment programs, emphasize total abstinence from drinking as the only solution.
• LifeRing believes that each individual holds their own key to recovery, and it is not necessary to then place control in the hands of a spiritual being.

The 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous are so dominant in addiction recovery culture that it can be easy to forget there are other ways to get sober. Sobriety is becoming an increasingly popular lifestyle choice. However, we live in a culture where alcohol is a common ingredient in all social gatherings, making it difficult to discern what is typical usage and what is indicative of a greater issue. The Calm app puts the tools to feel better in your back pocket, with personalized content to manage stress and anxiety, get better sleep, and feel more present in your life. There are many resources offering support and ideas for sober socializing. Exploring these resources can help you build a network of support and find new ways to enjoy socializing without alcohol.

Is AA The Only Way To Stay Sober?

Most addiction treatment centers recommend at least 90 days of sober living before returning home. Many people need more time to get the skills they need to continue sober life outside of a sober living program. Moderation Management (MM) is very different than many other recovery and support groups in that it doesn’t require complete abstinence to be a member.

Do specific religious beliefs or practices play a role in addiction recovery?

In A.A., alcoholics learn to stay away from alcohol completely in order to lead a normal life. This pamphlet answers many of the common questions people have about alcoholism and A.A. However, even your closest friends and family might not understand your struggle. Being honest with yourself means asking, “Am I ready for this?

• This will keep you honest with yourself and your support system, and help you stick to your goals.
• Some aren’t comfortable with surrendering control to a higher power, or declaring themselves “powerless” over alcohol.
• Like Tempest, Hello Sunday Morning recognizes that you don’t need to have a clinical addiction in order to change your drinking habits.
• All approved medications are non-addictive and can be used alone or in combination with other forms of treatment.
• I found, in moments of anxiety or worry, that the best remedy was not sitting and stewing in my thoughts but rather launching my body into motion.

What Percentage Of AA Members Stay Sober?

Interventions are a common method used by families to encourage their loved ones to seek help for addiction. These structured meetings allow family members to express their concerns while offering love and encouragement. The Daybreak program from Hello Sunday Morning allows you to discuss your drinking habits, successes and struggles with others.

What can I drink instead of alcohol at parties?

• Water is a good option, but you can also try non-alcoholic beverages, like mocktails, which are widely available and often just as interesting and fun as alcoholic options.
• It provides continuous support and a safe space to transition back into society.
• Join a support group, and as you get more experience, look for ways to help others.
• Medications can reduce these cravings by rebalancing your brain chemistry, and even blocking some of the effects of alcohol.
• Stay tuned for more insights and practical tips on emotional well-being in future articles and episodes.
• Some elements of the program, including the belief in a higher power, aren’t the right fit for everyone.

Some definitions of sobriety call for complete lifelong abstinence while others focus on developing coping mechanisms that can reduce harm with the understanding that setbacks are common. It may help to pick a quit date, or a day when you choose to discontinue use of alcohol or drugs. It’s also helpful to change your environment—for instance, avoid going to bars. There are also resources such as 12-step groups and recovery groups.

• In this comprehensive guide, we will explore various aspects of achieving long-term sobriety outside the traditional Alcoholics Anonymous framework.
• Whitaker attempted to keep her difficulties under wraps as she worked a high-profile job in health tech, but eventually it all became too much and she decided to get help.
• Talk to your therapist, other healthcare provider, or sponsor about how to deal with your anger in ways that won’t cause you to harm yourself or others or turn to alcohol or drugs.
• WFS puts particular emphasis on positive reinforcement, cognitive strategies, self-care, and group support.
• While it’s still crucial to lean on your loved ones and meet routinely with your therapist, there are daily practices you can put into place to foster a sober lifestyle on your own.

Achieving Long-Term Sobriety: Sober Without AA Alternatives

It is estimated that up to 80% of those who find long-term sobriety had at least one relapse along the way. Some people experience many setbacks before they find lasting recovery. Your intentions may be good, but it takes more than willpower to avoid having a relapse. In AA specifically, meeting people who have lived through relapse and recovery cycles is common.

There are also online and phone-in meetings for those who can’t make it to any of the physical locations. Topamax is an anticonvulsant drug traditionally used to prevent seizures and migraine headaches. Rational Recovery is an abstinence-based program based on a method called AVRT—the Addictive Voice Recognition Technique. There are no groups or support centers; the organization holds that these are unnecessary and actually encourage relapse.