The SMART in SMART Recovery stands for Self Management and Recovery Training. It’s a worldwide support network and arguably the leading alternative to AA. It espouses a four-point program based on abstinence, the ultimate goal of which is to help followers to lead more balanced lives.
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Other definitions, however, often focus on the process of recovery and developing coping mechanisms and habits that support health and wellness over the long term. Total abstinence may be the goal, but the reality is that setbacks are common. 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. Food, sex, cigarettes, gambling, and AA meetings are the most common habits I’ve seen as replacements for problematic drinking.
Starting With a Primary Care Doctor
- My addiction has spanned over 3 decades of drug and alcohol abuse.
- Overall, gather as much information as you can about the program or provider before making a decision on treatment.
- To avoid relapse and remain sober, it’s important to develop healthy relationships.
- Understanding the available treatment options—from behavioral therapies and medications to mutual-support groups—is the first step.
- I’m into recovery, harm reduction, alternative health & personal growth.
Club Soda offers a variety of mindful drinking and sobriety courses, but keep in mind that this platform is not a replacement for an alcohol addiction recovery program. Because there’s no one-size-fits-all treatment for alcohol addiction, a handful of companies, many of them startups, have recognized that and developed different methods for achieving sobriety. If you’re looking for new support group or an additional program to complement one you’re already in, take a look at these five sober living communities that aren’t AA. Their program teaches skills that can help you stay motivated in your sobriety and cope with cravings.
Can you stay sober without AA?
All approved medications are non-addictive and can be used alone or in combination with other forms of treatment. The good news is that no matter how severe the problem may seem, most people with AUD can benefit from some form of treatment. Having a chaotic or disorganized lifestyle getting sober without aa can also hinder your recovery. It’s important to develop a structured daily and weekly schedule and stick to it. The symptoms involved in PAWS can be a barrier to recovery if you’re not careful. In addition to being able to recognize them, it’s important to know when to seek help.
- Having a drink in your hand can make social interactions easier.
- Effective communication, building strong support systems, and embracing self-help approaches such as regular workouts and journaling can also aid in maintaining abstinence.
- Recovery Life Coach who supports Soulful men and women in living a sober, conscious and purpose-driven life.
It is also common for people to project the one thing that eventually worked for them onto others as the only way to be sober. Many more modern “sobriety programs” exist that are suitable solutions for people seeking sobriety with others without the issues mentioned above, such as SMART Recovery. There are also many online support groups full of friendly strangers ready to cheer you on, answer your questions, and support you without judgment. The program only works for some people, and refusing to change dismisses the larger group of people it doesn’t work for in its current form.
Once you feel stressed, take your album and go through your childhood photos. The internet makes the world look like a global village where you connect with people from diverse backgrounds. Also, there are various platforms, social media groups, chat rooms among other sites. Recovery Life Coach who supports Soulful men and women in living a sober, conscious and purpose-driven life. RehabAdviser.com is a tool for individuals seeking to find a Drug and/or Alcohol Rehab.
Rational Recovery
I was a helping professional and it was hard enough to admit I had a problem 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. I feel I now have the tools to continue on with my sobriety. The therapy sessions and lectures were well thought out and helped me understand.
- Confide in those closest to you and allow them to be your sounding board for your triumphs and failures.
- These medicines are designed to help manage a chronic disease, just as someone might take drugs to keep their asthma or diabetes in check.
- We’ll delve into understanding sober living programs and their crucial role in maintaining your newfound sobriety.
- No, it was more like basking in a weightless euphoria that reawakened the part of my brain that detested feeling anything at all.
- Read on to learn about alternative support groups to help you maintain your sobriety.