This subreddit is a place to motivate each other to control or stop drinking. We welcome anyone who wishes to join in by asking for support, sharing our experiences and stories, or just encouraging someone who is trying to quit. Please post only when sober; you’re welcome to read in the meanwhile.

Find a Treatment Program That’s Right for You

Recognizing and managing potential triggers can help you stay on the path to lasting sobriety. So, if you’re looking for an alternative to AA, consider exploring sober living programs. Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to recovery.

Addiction Info

• I went there for 3 years, and during this time, they reversed many overdoses and never lost a life.
• There are therapists who specialize in AUD, and psychiatrists can prescribe medication for AUD or co-occurring mental health conditions.
• Getting sober without AA is possible with the right tools and support, including sober living programs, detoxification, and mental health awareness.
• There are several alternative programs to AA for staying sober, such as SMART Recovery, Refuge Recovery, and Women for Sobriety.
• The review adds to the decades-long debate over AA’s effectiveness and suggests AA is a worthwhile tactic to get — and stay — sober.

My husband and I are in  pain, but Mariah seems to be completely consumed by it. She struggles at school and can’t seem to enjoy seeing friends or participate in her previous favorite things, like soccer. We have her in a grief group and on antidepressants but they don’t seem to be making a dent.

Take it a day at a time

“You can easily pay $100 or $200 dollars for a psychotherapy session but in AA people throw a buck into a basket, and even that is optional,” Humphreys says. Matt Hunt is a documentary photographer connecting with people, sharing moments, and telling stories in Southeast Asia. I know these things are true because I have sat in rooms around the world and listened, for hundreds of hours, to the experiences others have had with alcohol. I’ve seen what it does to their bodies, families, and livelihoods. I experienced it myself over years of painful accidents, depression, and near-death alcohol withdrawal.

• A counselor can address your personal issues and hold you accountable for your addiction.
• As I stopped using, more people noticed me when I panhandled on the streets.
• When you feel the urge to drink, try to distract yourself with something you enjoy doing.
• For example, a lot of people don’t feel comfortable with the religious aspects of AA.
• They’ll address your specific needs on the path to sobriety.
• My stay at Silver Ridge has been like no other and I will be forever grateful for the gifts it has given me.

It’s really important to know that you don’t have to go it alone. You don’t have to do recovery the way other people are doing it, but you do need to create your own support system. Need help developing your own support system, working through year one focuses or working through year two suggestions? Feel free to set https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/how-to-write-a-goodbye-letter-to-addiction/ up a free 60 minute Alternative Recovery Plan Strategy Call with me so that you can get clear on your vision, what’s stopping you from moving forward now and your specific next steps. We are all different so surround yourself with people who created their own path and devote their lives to lifting other people up.

Of course, quitting or cutting back to your ideal amount is only the first step. Many people struggle with alcohol cravings for months or even years after quitting, and there are many pitfalls to overcome, including post-acute withdrawal syndrome. Ultimately, finding some kind of support group or coaching program can make it much easier, and much less stressful, to stay sober long-term. You can find additional tips to quit drinking alcohol here. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors.

How Alcohol Impacts the Gut Microbiome

Meetings are free, conducted regularly, and are widely accessible. AA takes an “enormous burden” off health care systems, Humphreys explains, by taking care of people’s needs in free mutual help groups. In the long run, the research suggests AA could save individuals and the economy millions in health care costs linked to harmful drinking patterns.

We discussed getting off of substances for a year so I could address my emotional and mental instability. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of Sober Recovery’s “Terms of Use”, “Privacy Policy”, “Cookie Policy”, and “Health Disclaimer”. The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider. Alcohol consumption has a lot of negative effects on your body, and exercising can help undo some of the damage caused by substance use. Plus, the endorphins released while exercising help with mental wellness and even has been shown to reduce cravings experienced during late detox and early recovery. Your recovery journey is yours for a reason – no one else can do it for you, and no one else can tell you where or when you should be on that recovery path.

I was sick to the stomach of looking at myself as defective. I wanted to learn how to quieten my mind, how to live my life free from shame and with love and self-compassion. I needed purpose and meaning getting sober without aa in life and I set about finding it. Sitting in a room listening to sad stories, or reading a book from the 1940s, wasn’t part of my self-directed recovery and took away from my purpose in life.

• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a treatment method that uses medication to help individuals manage their substance use disorder.
• Instead, individuals are encouraged to take on their own weaknesses, learn to accept them, and move forward in recovery.
• Celebrating your progress will also serve as a reminder of the strength and determination you possess to maintain sobriety.
• 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.
• Moderation Management also has an online community where members can connect and support each other.