How to Achieve Sobriety Without AA: 8 Powerful Strategies by John Makohen
Neurofeedback allows you to see your own brain waves on a computer screen, in real-time, and thus learn to alter certain brain rhythms through continuous feedback. It’s traditionally been used for sufferers of PTSD, though in recent years it’s been incorporated into a few rehab centers and a growing number of psychological clinics. Neurofeedback is still relatively new and the research on its effects are mixed, although accumulating evidence supports its effectiveness in conditions like insomnia, anxiety, and depression. The 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous are so dominant in addiction recovery culture that it can be easy to forget there are other ways to get sober. Seeking knowledge on alcoholism can also help dispel any misconceptions about the disease.
Achieving Long-Term Sobriety: Sober Without AA Alternatives
While Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is arguably the most well-known treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD), it is not for everyone. Many people who have AUD don’t want to abstain from https://ecosoberhouse.com/ drinking entirely and instead seek treatments that reduce drinking. And others have the goal to quit drinking, but don’t find other aspects of AA to align with their values.
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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 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. The traditional modalities didn’t represent that blueprint, so I moved on.
Non 12-Step Rehabs Near You: Alternatives to AA and 12-Step Programs
With so many options, it’s always a good idea to talk to professionals. They can help you decide what treatment methods are right for you. Search our rehab getting sober without aa directory to find the nearest treatment center to you. The most impactful and beneficial aspect of Alcoholics Anonymous or a drug program is the community.
Developed by Dr. John D. Sinclair, the Sinclair Method is an evidence-based treatment for AUD that involves taking naltrexone. All of these and more are legitimate reasons to look for an AA alternative. And fortunately, there are many other effective choices out there. Methadone kept me from getting sick in the morning, so I never had to take unnecessary risks to make money and ward off heroin withdrawal.
Learning effective strategies to manage cravings and peer pressure plays a significant role in resisting temptations and remaining committed to sobriety. Along this path, I stumbled into a CASAC 350-hour training program, a twist I didn’t anticipate but welcomed like an old friend, opening the doors to becoming a substance abuse counselor in New York. People who believe in you and your journey can boost your confidence and provide emotional backing during difficult times.
The Importance of Transparency During the Rehab Process
Yes, trying to love yourself and building routines that empower you with self-belief is essential. However, I know (from experience) that it doesn’t take self-love for other people to love you. I also know that you do not have to believe in yourself 100% for others to believe in what you are doing. I don’t even think it’s possible to love and believe in yourself 100% of the time. Many more modern “sobriety programs” exist that are suitable solutions for people seeking sobriety with others without the issues mentioned above, such as SMART Recovery.
- The bulk of the meeting is taken up by the working time, where the group works through one of the four program points, using some of the program’s provided tools and techniques.
- Instead, MM focuses on helping people to manage problematic drinking and behaviors that are destructive, aiding in encouraging positive lifestyle changes.
- No support group aimed at quitting alcohol forever will work for you if you don’t really want to quit.
- Because he is a member of a support group that stresses the importance of anonymity at the public level, he does not use his photograph or his real name on this website.
- 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.
- Above all else, being completely honest with yourself is vital to staying sober, with or without AA.
- We’ll delve into understanding sober living programs and their crucial role in maintaining your newfound sobriety.
It’s been found to help with rapid detox from substances including opiates, alcohol, cocaine, methadone and benzos. 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. Recovery is a journey filled with progress, not perfection. Celebrate every milestone and achievement, regardless of how small they may seem.
Every single path to recovery, even those that require the assistance of others, is deeply personal. There is nothing wrong with being proud of yourself for what you have done and are doing now. Being open and honest about sobriety also takes a measure of self-awareness, bravery, integrity, and dignity that many people will not understand unless they’ve struggled. I’ve also witnessed the fantastic potential and empowerment that often emerges by building relationships with people in recovery. Extraordinary magic comes with being in the company of people that are in the process of growing beyond what they knew they could ever be capable of.
- With a bustling online community and local meetings throughout the United States, LifeRing Secular Recovery is an alternative to traditional, spiritually based, 12-Step programs such as AA.
- Choosing to get sober and stay sober without AA is possible with the right mindset and support system.
- It’s a worldwide support network and arguably the leading alternative to AA.