Being sober doesn’t have to mean giving up your social life, yet managing sobriety in a social setting (especially when alcohol is involved) can be a bit of a challenge. You may have a lot of concerns about going out after quitting drinking. I’m into multiple pathways to recovery, harm reduction, alternative health & personal growth — and loud, raw, noisy guitars.
Supporting Recovery Together: The Advantages of Family Counseling in Addiction Recovery
The advantages of taking Acamprosate include reduced cravings and urges to drink, improved mood, and increased motivation to stay sober. By using Acamprosate along with counseling and other recovery resources, you can strengthen your commitment to sobriety and improve your overall quality of life. 7 Cups is an online platform that provides free, anonymous emotional support through trained listeners and online therapy sessions. It offers a safe and confidential space to access emotional support and mental health services. The advantages of family therapy include a nurturing, non-judgmental atmosphere, a focus on personal accountability and self-direction, and a network of peers who are also in recovery. To start family therapy, find an experienced family therapist through a referral from your doctor or by searching online for a therapist near you.
Find an Alcohol Recovery Program Near You
- If you start focusing even on the smallest things you are grateful for, you will begin experiencing a shift in your overall thinking which, in turn, can greatly benefit your mental health and recovery.
- Sobriety coaches work with clients to reduce or stop their drinking, often using CBT techniques like motivational interviewing (MI).
- WFS puts particular emphasis on positive reinforcement, cognitive strategies, self-care, and group support.
- Recognizing and avoiding triggers and temptations is key to maintaining sobriety.
- You may also experience what is commonly called sobriety fatigue, which refers to the overall exhaustion that may occur as a result of the emotional and physical stress of staying sober.
- Depending on the type of dependency, PAWS can last from six months to two years after you stop using drugs or alcohol.
These are impressive numbers that speak to the tremendous good AA does. But, if this study is typical, AA doesn’t help more than 75% of people who try it. That’s likely millions of people — and might very well include you. By exploring these groups, you’ll find the one that resonates best with you and supports your recovery journey. Shame is having negative beliefs about yourself and your self-worth.
Getting Sober Without Attending Alcoholics Anonymous
These professionals can offer specialized assistance, tailored to your unique needs and circumstances, providing the support and tools necessary for a successful recovery. LifeRing is a secular, non-profit organization providing peer-run addiction https://ecosoberhouse.com/ recovery groups to empower you to take control of your sobriety journey. This abstinence-based program focuses on providing positive social reinforcement and self-direction, allowing you to reach your goals and establish a sober lifestyle.
If these emotions become excessive, they can hold you back from recovery. If you are trying to maintain a sober lifestyle, those feelings can become toxic and contribute to relapse if you don’t deal with them properly. Many people who misuse alcohol or drugs have trouble dealing with anger. If left unchecked, anger can have a negative impact on your health and your lasting sobriety. People in recovery from a substance use disorder frequently have problems meeting work-related responsibilities, maintaining employment, and managing money.
Step 6: Build Support for Recovery
WFS provides a gender-specific support system for encouragement and growth for women in recovery. Because one of the underlying premises of recovery is hope, seeing people who have made the journey into long-term recovery inspires others who are beginning their own journey to recovery. Numerous other support groups, including SMART Recovery groups, LifeRing groups and SOS Alcoholism Program. Your journey towards self-improvement begins with a single step, and we’re here to walk alongside you every step of the way. It can even reduce pain, anxiety, and alcohol cravings, according to a 2018 review of mindfulness research as it relates to AUD (8). There is no tried-and-true way to determine whether moderation works for you.
- SMART Recovery programs offer both local in-person meetings and online support through a 24/7 chat board and daily online meetings.
- AA’s free and anonymous meetings are available in over 180 countries and more than 100 languages.
- Anger is a normal and natural emotion, but how you deal with it will make a difference in maintaining your recovery.
- By engaging in volunteer activities, you can develop new skills, meet like-minded individuals, and contribute to a cause you’re passionate about.
- Many people who recognize that they have a drinking problem aren’t aware that there are alternatives to Alcoholics Anonymous.
- If you were active in your addiction for a period of time, you may have developed financial problems.
What is the best alternative to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)?
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. It is abstinence-focused, and designed to be compatible with a variety of other treatment resources. The program’s philosophy emphasizes positivity, practicality, and staying focused on the present. Group getting sober without aa participants share understanding, advice, and encouragement. With the advent of the “sober curious” movement, more companies, restaurants, and bars have been offering various non-alcoholic drinks and mocktails that are tasty and appealing alternatives to alcohol. You might also prefer to drink coffee, tea, a seltzer with fresh fruit, or a soda with fresh lemon or lime.
Avoiding sugary and processed foods can help prevent mood swings and cravings. Exercise can also be a great way to reduce stress and improve your overall health. Staying sober without AA can be challenging, but it’s not impossible.
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- There are also many online support groups full of friendly strangers ready to cheer you on, answer your questions, and support you without judgment.
- Check out why person in long-term recovery and counselor, Chrissy Taylor, encourages exercise in early sobriety.
- Different support groups exist to help you quit drinking without AA, some with a more secular approach.
In these programs, it’s customary to receive plastic chips as you progress to the one-year mark, at which time you receive a bronze coin. Ria Health has already supported thousands of people to lasting recovery—without having to attend AA meetings. Learn more about our approach, or schedule a free consultation with us today.
