Many people in recovery find a lot of free time and need to fill it with healthy and fulfilling pursuits. Explore hobbies and interests that ignite your passion and sense of purpose. I cannot stress enough about the importance of solid support whether you are still using drugs or getting sober for the first time. As I said earlier, I set up my friends with my connections, so I didn’t have to be around drugs as often. As I stopped using, more people noticed me when I panhandled on the streets.
Develop Healthy Coping Mechanisms
It’s important to recognize that Alcoholics Anonymous does work for some people—and there’s nothing wrong with choosing that path if it’s a good fit. While the program’s anonymous nature makes success rates hard to track, an independent 2020 getting sober without aa study confirmed that AA is genuinely effective in plenty of cases.1 It has a loyal following, and for good reason. Workit Health providers can and do prescribe medication (as appropriate) as part of treatment for alcohol use disorder.
“Honestly, Workit Health is the best choice I’ve ever made.”
Identifying situations, environments, or people that might prompt you to drink is crucial. Having people who believe in you and your journey can boost your confidence. They’ll also provide emotional backing during difficult times. Self-directed recovery enables you to design a plan of recovery that takes account of your individual needs and goals. It was so empowering to finally be able to think for myself—to not adhere to these set out rules that I can’t relate to and that only induce fear and direct my behavior.
How to Stay Sober
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. Secular Organizations for Sobriety is not one specific program but rather a collection of programs that are autonomous from each other. SOS provides individuals with alternatives to spirituality-based recovery programs. SOS hosts both online and physical face-to-face meetings to help people overcoming any form of addiction, from behavioral addictions to drug and alcohol addictions. Strictly speaking, sobriety is the state of being sober—not being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Building Strong Support Systems
- Though AA may be the most well-known solution for alcohol abuse, it is far from the only one.
- For more information or to find a local meeting, contact WFS.
- If PAWS is severe or if you’re experiencing prolonged symptoms, a medical professional can help you work through them and remain in recovery without relapse.
Plus, studies show that those who participate in sober living programs have lower relapse rates and better mental health and employment prospects. One of the most popular forms of alcohol addiction management and recovery support is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), a 12-Step program. AA is a peer recovery and self-help program that is spiritual in nature and calls on its members to turn their lives over to a higher power. This concept of spirituality in healing may not work for everyone. AA also expects its members to remain abstinent from alcohol and drugs completely, and this is also a concept that is not ideal for every person.
- The good news is there are many other paths to help you moderate or manage your alcohol use, or to achieve full sobriety.
- It also promotes confidence and structure, which are important to recovery.
- Plus, studies show that those who participate in sober living programs have lower relapse rates and better mental health and employment prospects.
- She has over a decade of experience in building and operating metrics-driven brand, demand generation, and customer experience teams.
- Surrounding yourself with a strong and understanding support system can be a cornerstone of successful sobriety.
Why Choose a 12-Step Alternative?
Well, these are not the only means to recover—there are a whole range of resources available to you. It is possible to get sober on your own and learn how to get sober at home. I was a helping professional and it was hard enough to admit I had a problem https://ecosoberhouse.com/ with substances and wasn’t coping well with life. However, my substance use and mental health came to a head through suicidal ideation so I needed to get help. At a glance, these messages make sense, but in reality, they are not practical.
- You may also experience what is commonly called sobriety fatigue, which refers to the overall exhaustion that may occur as a result of the emotional and physical stress of staying sober.
- Search our rehab directory to find the nearest treatment center to you.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, and many older treatment programs, emphasize total abstinence from drinking as the only solution.
- 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.
It’s essential to discuss your feelings, fears, and achievements during this process. Transparency builds trust within support networks, making it easier for them to provide appropriate assistance when needed. Many people who recognize that they have a drinking problem aren’t aware that there are alternatives to Alcoholics Anonymous. This article, for example, outlines the CORE process, which stands for Commit, Objectify, Respond, Enjoy. By employing these simple techniques, you can beat the bottle quietly — and for free — in the dignity of your own home. It can even reduce pain, anxiety, and alcohol cravings, according to a 2018 review of mindfulness research as it relates to AUD (8).
Levine proposes that Buddhism is ideally suited to target addiction, since transcending suffering and “nonattachment” are at its core. Levine published the book Refuge Recovery in 2014, and since then groups and meetings have been popping up all over the U.S. as well as in Canada, Denmark, Finland, and the UK. There are also online and phone-in meetings for those who can’t make it to any of the physical locations.