I’ve always had trouble with the spirituality side of things in the program. I’m looking to hear from others like me who don’t believe in a God of any sort. I’d rather not have anyone try to get me to “find Jesus, Allah, or whoever.” All I want to know is if there is anyone like minded to me that has had success in AA this way.
A High-Functioning Alcoholic: 20 Years Sober
- While the app offers valuable support and connections, it’s important to remember that it should not be considered a substitute for professional help and counseling.
- 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.
- Rehab centers can offer a range of treatment methods, including counseling, therapy, and medication-assisted treatment.
- Lack of participation appears to hinder the results of the program.
There’s no denying a 12-Step modality, as outlined in their Big Book, works for many. But it will only work if you find a higher power – what they describe in their literature as God. While supposedly a non-religious program, the founding members of AA were Christians; God (and related words) are mentioned 400 times in the Big Book. In therapy, I discovered what led me to that first drink long ago. That’s a story for another time, but what I will say is that it’s now healed.
- And I was already uncomfortable at the very beginning of my sobriety.
- I just want to thank my therapist for helping me to accept my anger, and learning how to deal with it.
- He rarely got out of control drunk and only ever drank beer.
- Regular exercise can help improve your mood and reduce anxiety.
- If the core of AA is meant to help people get and stay sober, it would adapt to a modern world and/or just stop denying that it is a program of God written by two sexist men that died ages ago.
- This leads to a buildup of acetaldehyde, a toxic compound that causes unpleasant side effects when alcohol is consumed.
Your Private, At-Home Program for Alcohol Reduction
Alcoholics Anonymous has helped millions of people recover from alcoholism. There’s no alcohol rehab mistaking, however, the pervasive assumption in the AA community that a person’s belief in God (or the generic reference, “higher power”) is integral to a program of recovery. In conclusion, there are numerous alternative paths to sobriety beyond AA. Remember, you have the power to overcome addiction and lead a fulfilling, alcohol-free life. Are you seeking a path to sobriety without attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings?
How do you stay sober when you don’t want to?
In today’s digital age, there are numerous online platforms and apps designed to help individuals maintain sobriety and connect with others in recovery. These resources provide valuable support, information, and tools to assist you in your journey toward a healthier, alcohol-free life. Hey I’m an alcoholic been in AA for five months worked the steps.
Join our supportive sober community where each day becomes a step towards personal growth and lasting positive change. “Acamprosate, marketed under the brand name Campral, is an orally administered drug available by prescription in the U.S. and throughout much of the world for treating alcohol dependence. It targets neurotransmitters involved in alcohol dependence, such as glutamate and GABA, providing support for a successful recovery journey. Meetup groups are communities of people who come together to share their passions, hobbies, interests, and identities.
What Is the Jellinek Curve in Addiction and Recovery?
I guess I just want to know that it’s possible and that you can be sober out of AA and not be a miserable dry drunk lol. I wouldn’t post about this in AA bc I don’t want to discourage a newcomer it does work. It does suck that most people won’t see you if you leave and honestly that was the main thing keeping me in but idk were the friendships even genuine if so. I do think if the thoughts popped up again to the level they did in the first months I’d bring my ass back. To sum up the last years of my drinking, I crashed a car, got divorced and sold a house when I really shouldn’t have, mainly to pay off debts.
- I regret none of these things, as they made me the person I am today.
- Our staff are highly trained with dual mental health and substance use licensing.
- The fact that I could continue drinking while gradually reducing my intake felt like a gentle and realistic approach to change.
- It works by blocking the enzyme acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, which is responsible for breaking down alcohol in the body.
- This didn’t help and soon after he started throwing up massive amounts of blood.
How can professional help, such as therapy, assist in maintaining sobriety?
Whether or not you are interested in a spiritual program, finding something to live for (other than booze) can motivate your recovery. Whether this is some sort of spiritual program, giving back to your community, getting involved in recovery activism, is all up to you. Workit Health providers can and do prescribe medication (as appropriate) as part of treatment for alcohol use disorder. Workit how to stay sober without aa 90 is an at-home recovery program that fits your life—with medication, commuity, and support all through our app. I have worked in the substance abuse treatment field and I sent my own Mother to Silver Ridge to recover.
It involved taking naltrexone before drinking, which blocks the ‘feel-good’ chemicals released when consuming alcohol. Over time, this process helped me unlearn the addictive behavior by rewiring my brain’s response to alcohol. For many years, drinking was a big part of my life. I drank daily for a decade, often feeling trapped in a cycle of drinking and regret. I knew I needed to make a change, but traditional recovery programs didn’t resonate with me.
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Don’t forget to prioritize self-care and seek out professional help if needed. There’s no shame in asking for help, and it can be a crucial step in maintaining Sobriety. Refuge Recovery is a Buddhist-inspired program that emphasizes mindfulness, compassion, and community. In Gabrielle Glaser’s article, The Irrationality of Alcoholics Anonymous, she highlights that AA’s success rate is estimated to be around 5-10%. While this approach is life-changing for some, I knew I needed something different—something that aligned better with my goals and mindset. From gourmet cuisine to our spacious, 10,000 square foot estate, Silver Ridge provides a tranquil and peaceful setting for recovery.
Distance yourself from people who threaten the success of your sobriety. Your first responsibility is to your recovery, and it’s important to protect it by making necessary changes. It was designed to create community, support and camaraderie for those struggling towards sobriety. In sobriety, you are growing, which is often uncomfortable. It is common for people to feel like they need to replace one habit with another, like swapping out drinking for some other random thing to fill the space and time.