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Recently, and luckily for me, I’ve given up on AA, after coming clean over the organization’s intent, meaning, and purpose. Soon thereafter, nearing a decade ago, I woke up one morning and just stopped. After years of trying to moderate, after leaving Atlanta because I was drinking too much, just one day I quit. It is perceived to be for people with very serious alcohol problems, who have let their entire lives fall apart due to alcohol. People with milder issues, who still have their jobs and their family life, may be turned off by socializing with people in very different circumstances. It’s the largest, oldest, and best-known program that helps people fight drinking problems.
So, it’s extra helpful to have a support network available to you when you need it. Now that you are sober, you may have discovered that some of your past relationships were not only unhealthy but downright toxic. It’s not just your drinking buddies and drug dealers who can get you into trouble—sometimes those who are closest to you can contribute to a relapse. 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. Sobriety means not being under the influence of a substance. However, the word is often used in different ways in different contexts.
Can You Get Sober Without AA?
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Is AA the only thing that works?
Most of the studies that measured abstinence found AA was significantly better than other interventions or no intervention. In one study, it was found to be 60% more effective. None of the studies found AA to be less effective.
Talk to your therapist, other healthcare provider, or sponsor about how to deal with your anger in ways that won’t cause you to harm yourself or others or turn to alcohol or drugs. Individuals who practice a balanced life style of exercise, healthy eating, and friendships with NON-alcoholics -and find their passion in a hobby have the most success. HAMS stands for Harm Reduction, Abstinence, and Moderation Support. As the name suggests, the organization doesn’t dictate either abstinence or moderation, it simply encourages people to be safe and responsible in their attitudes to alcohol.
Ways to Get Sober Without AA
Many people, in fact, recover without any formal help at all. NAD’s full name is Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide.
What percentage of people get sober in AA?
In the Big Book, AA states its approximate success rate is 50%, plus 25%. This means that 50% of members stay sober, 25% of members relapse but come back, and 25% fail to use AA effectively and do not remain sober.
Staying sober and preventing relapse can be a difficult path. Fortunately, there are many ways to help you stick to your recovery journey. Study showed that just over half stay sober without aa of those who recover do so with the help of mutual-aid recovery programs like AA, followed by treatment, recovery support services, and medication-assisted treatments .
Can You Beat Drug or Alcohol Addiction Without Using a 12-Step Program?
You will find that long-term sobriety is possible when you focus on the daily process instead of the long-term end goal. You will increase your chances of success if you find others who are like-minded and share your goals. Continue to grow and nurture important relationships. Join a support group, and as you get more experience, look for ways to help others.
- Drug and alcohol abuse is often caused by problems in personal relationships.
- Dr. Cusner is completing a book on organizational psychology in the healthcare field, which is expected to be published late early summer 2022.
- In fact, many opioid addicts cannot feel normal without them.
- If you were active in your addiction for a period of time, you may have developed financial problems.
- If someone wants to continue in recovery, they will find a way to do so.
If you find that 12-step programs are not helpful for you, you may wonder if that means you’re not going to be able to beat drug or alcohol addiction. AA is only of many ways to achieve and maintain sobriety.
Alternative to Alcoholics Anonymous
This scientifically proven treatment teaches you how to regulate your emotions and end self-destructive cycles. Drug and alcohol abuse is often caused by problems in personal relationships.
- Many believe that to gain any benefit from Alcoholics Anonymous, the alcoholic needs to make the commitment on their own.
- Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles.
- Additionally, Alcoholics Anonymous offers a community of fellow recovering individuals who can offer support, advice, and fellowship.
- NAD’s full name is Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide.
- I went with a friend, to support him in his shaky early sobriety, but I was also there for myself.
People who get professional help are more likely to remain sober than those who try to recover independently. Being around alcohol when trying to abstain from drinking will only make your road to recovery harder. Until you’re at a better place in your recovery, avoid going to events where you know drinking will be a big part of them. If you have an alcohol problem and are trying to get and stay sober, you’re not alone.
Others’ experience of leaving AA
I didn’t stay sober for long that first time—not because of AA, but because I wasn’t ready. I hadn’t taken the time to think about what might work best for me. Congratulate someone on their sobriety by expressing your support. You might say, “I’m really proud of you,” or “I’m so happy to see you succeed.” Avoid asking questions that are too personal or focusing on the negative aspects of their substance use. Shame is having negative beliefs about yourself and your self-worth. Guilt is having negative feelings about your past behavior.
