How to Quit Drinking without Alcoholics Anonymous: Self-Help

Its foundation is based in science, rather than spirituality. Many people have found success with SMART’s alternatives to AA meetings. AA If you like the accountability and community of regular meetings, SMART Recovery may be a good option for you. While its effectiveness and success is well documented, it is also clear that it does not work for everyone.

There is no tried-and-true way to determine whether moderation works for you. In other words, try moderation for a short time and see how it goes. A 2014 study showed that “baseline motivation and self-efficacy” are key predictors of moderation success (5). In other words, those who are motivated and believe they can successfully moderate their drinking tend to have the best results. With a Reddit account, you can protect your privacy and stay anonymous. Because r/stopdrinking is public, you can read its discussions without commenting or even creating a Reddit account.

What can I do instead of AA?

For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Matt Hunt is a documentary photographer connecting with people, sharing moments, and telling stories in Southeast Asia. The internet is full of self-guided therapy, and I am here for it. I love a strongly-worded self-belief post as much as anyone else. If you or someone close to you is battling with addiction but isn’t interested in AA, there are other potential solutions that can help them reach a successful recovery. All of these and more are legitimate reasons to look for an AA alternative.

We provide a list of treatment centers located within the United States that are JHACO or CARF accredited. Individuals can call the centers directly or call our Toll Free number for further assistance. There are also several other group support programs out there. These might be more in line with your personal beliefs or goals.

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

Programs like sober living homes, motivational phone calls, alumni programs, and mutual-help groups provide a level of support that can continue in the short-term or as needed for the rest of your life. As explained in a study from the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, even something as simple as a motivational texting program can better your chances of avoiding relapse. It is getting sober without aa generally the first step in a more comprehensive treatment plan. Medical support can also wean you from certain substances slowly, helping the brain and body adjust to the loss of the substance more gradually and minimizing some withdrawal symptoms. These benefits not only ease the discomfort of the detox process, but also help to prevent relapse during this stage of treatment.

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. You may also need to change your route to work or home in order to avoid any triggers, or people, places, or things that make you want to use drugs or drink again. Some of the immediate changes you will need to make will be obvious—like not hanging around the people that you used with or obtained drugs from. After all, you can’t hang around your drug dealer or old drinking buddies and expect to remain sober for very long. At a glance, these messages make sense, but in reality, they are not practical.

Community Support

But, I feel really proud that I was able to recover in a way that makes me happy and that truly resonates with me! Everybody else in the room had faced severe consequences as a result of their alcohol abuse. From where I sat, I was nothing like them, meaning I was okay and didn’t really need help. No support group aimed at quitting alcohol forever will work for you if you don’t really want to quit. This is the one thing that makes me feel I’d never really enjoy group meetings. Maybe you don’t have to identify as an alcoholic to get sober with AA, but I don’t know… I also think you can’t be uncomfortable with the idea, either.

• It’s about embracing holistic approaches that consider all factors influencing one’s relationship with alcohol rather than focusing solely on abstaining from its consumption.
• Rest assured that you don’t have to go to such drastic measures to get sober.
• Their New Life Program is based on 13 acceptance statements, and six levels of recovery.
• Regular exercise is an excellent alternative therapy method that provides both physical benefits and stress-relief effects.

I experienced it myself over years of painful accidents, depression, and near-death alcohol withdrawal. Connecting with others who are also on the path towards sobriety offers unique benefits. Research shows that peer-led mutual aid groups like SMART Recovery or LifeRing Secular Recovery have been successful in helping individuals maintain long-term sobriety. Regardless of the approach you choose, certain tips and strategies can make you much more likely to succeed at quitting alcohol long-term.

Strong support for tightening restrictions on alcohol delivery services, survey shows

Instead, focus on things, experiences, and activities that will support your new, healthy lifestyle. One study found that mutual support groups can be as effective as 12-step programs and may help improve the odds of success for people who are committed to maintaining a lifetime of total abstinence. Absolutely, there are many alternative methods such as sober living programs, therapy, and lifestyle changes that can lead to long-term sobriety. Regular exercise is an excellent alternative therapy method that provides both physical benefits and stress-relief effects.