Members set their own drinking goals and use CBT techniques to achieve them. In essence, the role of community and support in recovery cannot be overstated. It’s not just about staying sober; it’s about building a fulfilling, sustained life in sobriety. Whether through face-to-face meetings or online platforms, these communities provide vital support that empowers individuals to continue their recovery journey with confidence. MM fosters a alternatives to alcoholics anonymous aa: including both quitting and moderating drinking community that supports each individual’s journey towards moderation. By sharing stories and strategies, members help each other develop healthier drinking habits.
Finally, you can fill your time by socializing and spending time with friends. Reach out to old friends, make new ones, and participate in your friends’ hobbies to connect with them and try something new. Just be mindful of your triggers and choose activities that will support your recovery. Additionally, you can take up mindfulness practices such as meditation and tai chi. These activities improve focus and concentration, enhance self-awareness, and help with emotional regulation. They train your mind to focus on the present moment and observe your thoughts and feelings without judgment, which is crucial in managing cravings and triggers.
Table of Contents
Behavioral therapies and counseling for quitting alcohol
The HAMS 17 elements, however, are all optional and can be completed in any order. You can pick and choose the ones that work for you and disregard the ones that don’t. But for many people, it is more difficult to give up drinking over the longer term. But sometimes they succumb to the addiction of alcohol and find themselves drinking again. The brain develops a system of wiring and triggers whenever we think about drinking. What this means is that there are many triggers that our brain reacts to when it comes to alcohol.
- Find hobbies and activities that give you a sense of fulfilment and purpose.
- It offers a New Life Program, which empowers women through 13 acceptance statements that encourage emotional and spiritual growth, specifically tailored to women’s recovery needs.
- It uses Naltrexone to reduce alcohol cravings and the pleasurable effects of alcohol, which can help individuals gradually decrease their drinking or achieve abstinence.
- Mindfulness practices, such as meditation, yoga, and deep breathing, help reduce stress, manage emotions, and decrease cravings.
- It’s important to remember that what works for one person may not work for another, and the key is to find a program or approach that aligns with one’s values, beliefs, and personal goals.
Harm Reduction
It encourages self-awareness, accountability, and intentional decision-making, rather than relying on strict abstinence. The goal is to create a balanced lifestyle, one where substances no longer control you. WFS also focuses on the unique needs of women in the setting of rehab and recovery. The idea is that most sobriety programs have historically been designed with men in mind, which is reflected in the fact that men showed higher recovery rates with traditional programs. WFS welcomes all expressions of female identity, along with members of the LGBTQ+ community. By carefully considering these factors, you can make an informed decision about which recovery program will best support your journey toward sobriety and overall well-being.
Non-12-step programs often provide a secular or non-spiritual approach to recovery, focusing on personal empowerment and internal control. Handling cravings to drink requires practical strategies, emotional support, and a strong commitment to change. Cravings can be triggered by stress, social settings, or habits, but developing healthy coping mechanisms can help resist urges. Seeking support from family, friends, or peer groups provides encouragement, accountability, and emotional stability. Having trusted individuals involved in your journey reduces stress and reinforces commitment.
- Chronic alcohol use can impact mental clarity, decision-making, and overall well-being.
- So we did a little research of our own, looking to find what are the alternatives to AA.
- 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.
Instead, it focuses on helping individuals moderate their drinking to reduce negative consequences and improve their quality of life. For those looking for a recovery method that is modern, flexible, and grounded in science, SMART Recovery presents an effective alternative to traditional models like AA. It offers individuals the tools and community support needed to foster long-term change and healthy living without reliance on spirituality or surrender. Creating new routines helps replace drinking habits with healthier, more fulfilling activities. Engaging in exercise, hobbies, mindfulness, and socializing without alcohol makes the transition to sobriety easier. Evening routines, such as herbal tea, journaling, or relaxation exercises, help unwind without alcohol.
It’s understandable if you don’t want to share this part of your life with friends or family. But, if this study is typical, AA doesn’t help more than 75% of people who try it. Taneia Surles, MPH is a sexual health writer and public health professional.
Comprehensive Behavioral Health Services:
In addition to medication, Porch Light Health offers a full spectrum of behavioral health and psychiatric services. This includes one-on-one therapy, group counseling sessions, and comprehensive psychiatric evaluations to address co-occurring mental health issues that often accompany AUD. Their services are designed to provide emotional and psychological support that fortifies the recovery process.
Denying Our Mental Health: Why We Do It and How To Move Past It
You may be trying to stop drinking altogether or perhaps you want to cut back on your alcohol intake. You want to save money (or yourself from hangovers), sleep better, wake up more energized, or just enjoy having more clarity. SOS recoveryfocuses on factors outside of spirituality like genetics and environmental factors. Importantly, SOS allows its members to determine for themselves whether they believe alcoholism is a disease. Choosing a program that you can see yourself participating in for an extended period is crucial.
Reach out today, and let us assist you in taking the first step towards a healthier, substance-free life. Overall, the sense of camaraderie, shared experiences, and mutual support found in support groups can greatly enhance an individual’s journey toward overcoming alcoholism. Support groups also provide access to valuable resources, information, and coping strategies that can aid in the recovery process. SOS meetings provide peer support, encouragement, and practical sobriety tools. It encourages people to develop and achieve personal objectives, develop great relationships, and live a fulfilling and sober lifestyle. It promotes self-sufficiency, personal responsibility, and a belief that individuals can change their behavior.
Previous Experiences with AA:
This system enables users to schedule tests, delivering real-time results directly to their support network. These test records are displayed in a color-coded chart, facilitating easy sharing with friends, family, treatment professionals, and others within a user’s Recovery Circle. This sharing feature fosters accountability and rebuilds trust by allowing individuals to share their progress with those who support them on their recovery journey.
Setting Clear, Achievable Goals for Sobriety
It recognizes that substance use disorders thrive on isolation, so group support assists people in their recovery. Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS) was started by James Christopher in Los Angeles more than 30 years ago. Christopher, now a sober alcoholic, founded this 12-Step alternative for those who were uneasy with AA’s spiritual dependence. SOS gives the credit for achieving sobriety to the individual rather than to a Higher Power. The organization holds meetings in the U.S. and various other countries around the world. For many people, peer support groups like HAMS and AA are only part of their treatment plan.
Researchers found that 24% of AA or 12-step participants remained fully abstinent from alcohol after 12 months (2). AA isn’t a one-size-fits-all program—thousands of meetings exist around the world, each with its own format, atmosphere, and identity. That said, every alcohol support group offers a different vibe, and finding one that matches your energy and goals may take some time. Celebrating sobriety milestones with small rewards, special outings, or enjoyable activities boosts motivation.
