//Sobriety Strategies: 13 Tips for Staying Sober

Sobriety Strategies: 13 Tips for Staying Sober

how to stay sober without aa

They focus on methods that use both Motivational Enhancement Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy components to engender change of self-destructive behaviors. One of the most popular forms of alcohol addiction management and recovery support is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), a 12-Step program. AA is tips to stay sober 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.

  • In other words, those who are motivated and believe they can successfully moderate their drinking tend to have the best results.
  • 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.
  • After the birth of my second child in 2016, I started using an online program called BODi (at the time it was called Beachbody) to help me lose the baby weight.
  • Its foundation is based in science, rather than spirituality.
  • However, if you are diagnosed with AUD or suffer from alcohol dependence, MM may not be for you.

“Honestly, Workit Health is the best choice I’ve ever made.”

  • This sharing feature fosters accountability and rebuilds trust by allowing individuals to share their progress with those who support them on their recovery journey.
  • This AA alternative is much different than other recovery fellowships, but it can act as a productive stepping stone for someone looking to start making a change.
  • When you are ready to begin, have the resources available and scheduled into your life so you are more likely to follow through with your sobriety goals.

This is preceded by 30 days of drinking abstinence, where each member must continue monitoring their feelings. After 30 days, it is up to the member whether drinking should or should not continue. Exercise can support your recovery by boosting your brain, battling the brain disorder of alcohol use disorder.

how to stay sober without aa

Need help with a drinking problem?

  • Even 15 years into his recovery, Marlon still attends AA meetings about five times per week.
  • While Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has been a valuable resource for many, it may not be the right fit for everyone.
  • People often need to address past trauma or familial issues during this time.
  • We provide an online assessment, medical review, and personalized treatment plan.

If you are able to maintain moderate drinking, it may work for you. But if you find yourself falling into previous unhealthy drinking habits, abstinence may be your better option. Our treatments are tailored to serve each person’s unique needs and you can read about both Oar members who want to quit drinking entirely as well as Oar members who want to moderate their drinking. Regular check-ups allow for dosage adjustments, monitoring of side effects, and assessment of overall treatment efficacy. Self-care is any activity you do deliberately to take care of your physical, mental, and emotional health.

More on Substance Abuse and Addiction

how to stay sober without aa

In social situations where people are drinking, you might feel more comfortable with a drink in your hand. A mocktail looks like a cocktail but doesn’t have any alcohol in it. Other people won’t be able to tell the difference just by looking at your glass. There are many paths to changing your relationship with alcohol, and it may take some experimentation to figure out what treatment—or combination of treatments—is most effective for your unique needs.

  • Mindfulness can decrease stress and increase awareness.
  • Unlike AA, it doesn’t ask people to admit they’re powerless.
  • Be direct and confident in your response to help show your decision isn’t up for debate.
  • Join our supportive sober community where each day becomes a step towards personal growth and lasting positive change.
  • When I was drinking, I often felt compelled to exercise to a specific duration or calorie deficit, using my workouts as a punishment for what I drank the night before.

SOS Alcoholism Program

MM focuses on self-monitoring through their program with group meetings throughout, which some may find as a successful alternative to AA. However, if you are diagnosed with AUD or suffer from alcohol dependence, MM may not be for you. SMART Recovery, which stands for “Self Management and Recovery Training,” is an international organization focusing on long-lasting recovery by utilizing evidence-based tools to achieve success. My wife’s family never acknowledged the mother’s alcoholism. My wife suffers to this day but found writing a release. In addition, there might be physical locations that are an instant trigger, such as a neighborhood bar or the local liquor shop.