Read on to learn how to stop drinking without AA—including the many alternatives to Alcoholics Anonymous—and how to decide which approach can help you quit drinking. There are endless options to try for support and guidance if you’d struggling with alcohol. While it may feel relaxing at first, it’s only temporary, and the swing-back is worse than the baseline. Cortisol is a hormone that activates the “fight or flight” response in the brain and is responsible for experiences your mind interprets as stressful. Chemical addiction isn’t contingent on a specific personality type, or whether you’re strong- or weak-willed. In other words, you don’t get addicted to alcohol because you have character flaws.

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These may include online support groups, recovery apps, and peer support programs such as SMART Recovery and Refuge Recovery. Before we start getting into the secular approach to recovery, it’s probably a good idea to talk about what the term “recovery” even means. As far as this book goes, “recovery” is defined as the life-long process of improving your overall mental and emotional health so as to minimize the harm and suffering you inflict on yourself and others. While the goal for many of you is likely to stay sober, I want to emphasize that the absence of destructive behaviors is just one point on an otherwise endless journey of self-improvement. Harm reduction focuses on reducing the negative Sober living home impacts of alcohol use, rather than enforcing total abstinence.

Refuge Recovery

We provide an online assessment, medical review, and personalized treatment plan. Ria Health has already supported thousands of people to lasting recovery—without having to how to get sober without aa attend AA meetings. Of course, quitting or cutting back to your ideal amount is only the first step.

Intensive Outpatient Program

If you prefer not to attend AA, look for other ways to access this kind of community—whether that’s through other groups, a supportive social circle, or through a recovery coach or counselor. One of the challenges of getting sober with AA is about willpower. 12 step philosophy emphasizes surrendering control to higher power. Nevertheless, many people in the rooms end up “white-knucking” their way through sobriety, especially in the early stages.

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• The midlife-specific groups allowed clients to form a bond with one another through shared life experiences.
• This would always lead me back to alcohol, whether I was sober for a few days, a few weeks, or even a few months.
• There are options to stay a while, and there are also options to get medication and support while you continue to go to work, or take care of other responsibilities.
• Exploring outpatient programs can introduce an individual to sober peers, some of whom may share certain interests or hobbies, making them a great place to start.
• One of the aspects that make Alcoholics Anonymous so effective is the ongoing and sometimes ruthless self-evaluation that the 12 steps encourage.

The addictive quality of alcohol keeps you spending money on more and more drinks. And the consequences of a night drinking are the fatigue, nausea, and anxiety of your hangover. 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. Find out if this treatment could be the key to regaining control over your drinking and transforming your life. Learn how Thrive’s home-based https://ecosoberhouse.com/ program, centered on naltrexone, helps you take control of alcohol and rebuild your confidence.