Are AA and NA Really That Effective? Plus Alternatives to Consider

Completing the program includes 30 days of self-monitoring your drinking via a personal journal while noticing trigger patterns or repeated negative behaviors. This is preceded by 30 days of drinking abstinence, where each member must continue monitoring their feelings. After 30 days, it is up to the member whether drinking should or should not continue.

Community

Others place encouraging words on their phones, desks, and around their workspaces. They do this to provide constant reminders of how wonderful the world can be without alcohol. Looking at old photographs may help some people stay clean and sober. This especially may help if people are thinking about taking a drink of alcohol. Sometimes, in recovery, people may feel run-down, tired, and unhappy. There are some people who do not believe or do not agree with the 12-step strategy.

• This one-on-one partnership may not work for someone, but some form of accountability is a required part of a recovery plan.
• These professionals can offer a comprehensive evaluation of your alcohol abuse.
• All I wanted to do was be wasted, and I was putting myself in dangerous situations when I drank.
• Groups meet virtually throughout the week and focus on a wide range of topics.
• Other programs, like Narcotics Anonymous (NA), which started in 1953, have used similar models.
• In contrast, alcoholics may abstain for periods of time without help but in most cases will inevitably return to their previous drinking patterns.

Alternatives to AA and 12-Step Programs

If you do not feel that AA is the program for you, the internet has many resources and may help people stay sober. This AA alternative is much different than other recovery fellowships, but it can act as a productive stepping stone for someone looking to start making a change. MM focuses on the difference between alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence and believes a person can safely consume alcohol if they fall into the latter category. LifeRing believes in looking within to learn about yourself, your past, and your drinking triggers to take back control of your life.

Medication (optional)

The internet can be a great resource for people in recovery. It can help you connect with people from all over the world. There are many amazing websites, groups, chat rooms, how to stay sober without aa and many other places on the internet that can help with your sobriety and recovery. There are bloggers, videos, and podcasts designed to give people hope.

Understanding Alcohol Withdrawal: Recognizing the Symptoms and Embracing Support

I began to make choices; I began to realize I choose my actions and behaviors, not some elusive Higher Power that I didn’t believe in. I’ve seen people wince at those words, while others put the words to one side in a last-ditch effort – where all other efforts have failed – to try anything that works. Our mission is to provide clear, accessible journalism that empowers you to stay informed and engaged in shaping our world.

FIND HEALTHY OUTLETS

Now, let’s look a little closer at some of these effective techniques for staying sober without AA. My sponsor sent me to a sponsorship meeting, and the general gist was that God has ordained us to be soldiers and carry the message. I’ve even seen and felt him working in my life, but I do not want to sponsor. If someone needs a ride to detox, or a meeting, no problem.

• These test records are displayed in a color-coded chart, facilitating easy sharing with friends, family, treatment professionals, and others within a user’s Recovery Circle.
• Most of all, I was isolated and lonely, my drinking and poor choices having alienated me from everyone around me.
• When choosing between support groups, it is important that whichever you pick follows the key pillars of addiction treatment.
• Developed by Dr. John D. Sinclair, the Sinclair Method is an evidence-based treatment for AUD that involves taking naltrexone.
• “Gradually, my drinking started squeezing all three of those out of my life,” Marlon says.

If you feel like your drinking has gotten out of control and/or negatively affecting different parts of your life, a https://ecosoberhouse.com/ support group is an excellent place to start. Early intervention is key, and finding the tools and community support earlier in your journey will make sobriety much more manageable in the long run. Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS) is an additional AA alternative that focuses on a secular approach to recovery. Unlike the AA alternatives that came before, SOS is not a specific organization but instead a collection of individual organizations or programs to utilize.

Sobriety in A.A.: We made changes to stop drinking

I may not go to meetings anymore, but I still keep in touch with these kinds of people. Recovery timelines vary significantly depending on the individual. Inpatient drug addiction programs often last days, while outpatient support can continue for years.

Here’s How I Found Recovery Without God and the 12 Steps

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. Instead, MM focuses on helping people to manage problematic drinking and behaviors that are destructive, aiding in encouraging positive lifestyle changes. MM is a peer-support program that acknowledges that behaviors are changeable, and that alcohol abuse (which differs from dependence) is a habit that can be altered. Finding the right alcohol addiction management and recovery support system for you starts with getting information. Our admissions navigators are available to speak with you about treatment options and recovery support systems at any time of day.