Whatever the reason may be, it is important to remember that there are many paths to Recovery and Sobriety. Additionally, some people may find AA’s group dynamics or principles too rigid or dogmatic. Whatever the reason, it is important to know that there are many other options available that can provide the necessary support and guidance to achieve and maintain Sobriety.
My company, Workit Health, has offers online, science-backed courses to help you beat alcohol use disorder from your computer or phone. Mental health is an integral component of a successful sobriety journey. Many individuals struggling with addiction also suffer from co-existing mental health disorders such as depression or anxiety. These conditions not only increase susceptibility to substance abuse but also complicate recovery efforts if left unaddressed. While its effectiveness and success is well documented, it is also clear that it does not work for everyone.
What are some alternative programs to AA for staying sober?
Engaging in sober activities can also provide a sense of achievement and fulfillment. Getting sober is an incredible achievement for individuals grappling with alcohol addiction. Although Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has been a lifeline for many, it might not be the best fit for everyone. I often write about stigma, harm reduction, recovery, health & personal growth.
Develop Healthy Coping Mechanisms
Surrounding yourself with positive influences and people who share similar interests can provide encouragement and motivation to stay sober and not drink. Engaging in regular exercise and physical activity is an excellent way to improve mood, reduce stress, and decrease cravings for alcohol. By incorporating activities like jogging, swimming, or yoga into your daily routine, you can significantly enhance your physical and mental well-being, making your recovery journey more manageable and enjoyable.
- This concept of spirituality in healing may not work for everyone.
- While non-abstinence outcomes have been more broadly accepted for AUD 15, non-abstinence outcomes have been debated for OUD.
- Second, despite the inclusion of open-ended questions which shed light onto participant’s experiences, there is still a need for in-depth interviews to probe deeper on this topic.
- Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS) programs are a conglomeration of recovery programs, both online and in-person, which provide an alternative to AA.
- While Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is arguably the most well-known treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD), it is not for everyone.
- Similarly, if you’d like to be sober but aren’t sure if you can do it 100%, you are already on the right path.
Alternatives to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
Disulfiram is a medication that causes unpleasant side effects when alcohol is consumed, acting as a deterrent for drinking. It works by blocking the enzyme acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, which is responsible for breaking down alcohol in the body. This leads to a buildup of acetaldehyde, a toxic compound that causes unpleasant side effects when alcohol is consumed. Let’s explore some of the most helpful online resources and programs available. By exploring these groups, you’ll find the one that resonates best with you and supports your recovery journey.
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Ironically, thanks in great part to the work I did in 12-step programs, I learned that alcoholism wasn’t my only problem — or even my biggest problem. One of the best middle-ground options out there is online treatment. Although it can’t help with medical detox, practically every other aspect of a well-rounded rehab program can be done through your phone. Not only is this much more flexible to your schedule, it’s also significantly more affordable. One of the strengths of AA is that it provides a community of people facing a similar challenge, and gives you access to others further along in the process.
Exercise
- However, this treatment gap is improperly framed as merely a problem of treatment accessibility.
- If you want to know how to stay sober without AA after a non-12 step rehab, keep reading.
- Before I got sober, my physical and mental health were questionable.
- Additionally, some people may find AA’s group dynamics or principles too rigid or dogmatic.
- Practicing mindfulness and meditation techniques can be incredibly beneficial in reducing stress, increasing self-awareness, and strengthening emotional resilience.
Experts recommend that people participate in at least thirty minutes of moderate exercise every day. 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. This research was supported by funding from the UK Office of the Vice President for Research for SUPRA and the Research Leadership Academy.
In a nationally representative sample, half of people who resolved a significant alcohol and other drug problem continued to use substances 25. In fact, only https://northiowatoday.com/2025/01/27/sober-house-rules-what-you-should-know-before-moving-in/ 20% of those surveyed were completely abstinent throughout their recovery. And yet, despite being an atypical pathway, abstinence remains the hegemonic paradigm for addiction recovery, and most treatments and recovery support services are designed to support it alone. Consequently, the abstinence-only approach increases the risk for adverse consequences, including overdose 28, 29. In contrast, non-abstinent based benchmarks foster a pathway of recovery for the substantial number of people with SUD who have any treatment goal other than abstinence.
Make a list of the things you find challenging, practice how you will respond in advance, and give yourself credit when you succeed. Finally, if you find all of these options too time consuming, expensive, or fussy, you can always go it alone. This can be a lot more difficult—and even dangerous if you have a severe enough addiction.
There are therapists who specialize in AUD, and psychiatrists can prescribe medication for AUD or co-occurring mental health conditions. The program is based around the Twelve Steps to help its members achieve complete abstinence from alcohol use. AA’s free and anonymous meetings are available in over 180 countries and more than 100 languages. To find volunteer opportunities, search online, ask friends and family, or contact local organizations.
The program’s philosophy emphasizes positivity, practicality, and staying focused on the present. Group participants share understanding, advice, and encouragement. HAMS is a peer-led group that provides support and information to those who want to change their drinking habits. It’s an AA alternative that involves 17 steps instead of 12, and supports moderate drinking and harm reduction in addition to full sobriety. But there have always been plenty of folks for whom AA doesn’t work. Some aren’t comfortable with surrendering control to a higher power, or declaring themselves “powerless” over alcohol.
The article discusses the importance of self-help approaches in achieving sobriety without AA. Regular exercise, including aerobic exercises, mind-body exercises, and strength training can help reduce stress and cravings sober house for alcohol. Journaling is also an effective tool to maintain focus during emotionally challenging periods by recording daily reflections, coping strategies, and purposeful gratitude lists.
This is especially true in rural areas, where unlike opioids, there are fewer evidence-based treatments for MUD, nor trained behavioral health professionals with which to provide such care 3. However, this treatment gap is improperly framed as merely a problem of treatment accessibility. In order to reach individuals who are potentially interested in treatment, it is important to focus on treatment acceptability, which is a critically overlooked aspect of the treatment gap. In the United States, complete abstinence persists as the standard for demonstrating recovery success from substance use disorders (SUDs), apart from alcohol use disorder (AUD). This study sought to expand the definition of recovery to include non-abstinent pathways by exploring non-abstinence-based outcomes desired by people who use methamphetamine (PWUM). AA has more than 2 million members worldwide in over 100,000 locally supported groups.
While non-abstinence outcomes have been more broadly accepted for AUD 15, non-abstinence outcomes have been debated for OUD. Moreover, PWUM and people with other stimulant use disorders are overlooked by most treatment providers due to a lack of pharmacotherapies or widely implemented behavioral interventions. By highlighting the treatment interests of this population, these data open avenues for developing comprehensive treatment models for PWUM. Further, there has been a lack of guidance on non-abstinent recovery indicators from PWUD themselves.