Sobriety Strategies: 13 Tips for Staying Sober

Strong cravings can make it feel like a battle of wills between you and alcohol. Once you are past the initial detox phase, rehabilitation programs (or rehab) are one way to go. Residential treatment can last days, and gives you https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/is-it-possible-to-get-sober-without-aa/ a chance for a full reset. Outpatient rehab lets you continue living at home and attend treatment for several hours per day. Online rehab is the least disruptive, letting you talk to doctors and coaches from home via your phone.

Medications now exist that can let you cut back or quit gradually, and reduce your cravings. Not only can these make the process less stressful, they often have a higher success rate than AA or quitting on your own. The most impactful and beneficial aspect of Alcoholics Anonymous or a drug program is the community. Lying to loved ones about what you’re doing and with whom, or feelings of shame about your problem can lead to feelings of isolation.

So You’re Trying to Stay Sober Without AA?

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. 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. Any general advice posted on our blog, website, or app is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace or substitute for any medical or other advice.

Depending on the person, this issue may cause a lot of frustration and instability. And regardless, you’re likely to be worried about their well-being. Mindful drinking means being attentive to the impact that alcohol has on you, and making conscious choices about how you consume it. It is a form of moderate drinking, and can be helpful in maintaining boundaries and setting limits with alcohol. But overall, be cautious about giving up alcohol cold turkey, and consider tapering off if possible.

How to Stay Sober Without AA

She has over a decade of experience in building and operating metrics-driven brand, demand generation, and customer experience teams. One of the strengths of AA is that it provides a community of people facing a similar challenge, and gives you access to others further along in the process. If you prefer not to attend AA, look for other ways to access this kind of community—whether that’s through other groups, a supportive social circle, or through a recovery coach or counselor. Read on to learn how to stop drinking without AA—including the many alternatives to Alcoholics Anonymous—and how to decide which approach can help you quit drinking. Another way to stay sober without AA is to exercise regularly. Exercising can produce endorphins such as serotonin and dopamine.

An important part of recovery is addressing these issues and setting boundaries. Our mission is to use new technology to make treatment more accessible, and reduce the stigma around problem drinking. We offer both abstinence and moderation as options, and use only evidence-based methods. To begin with, a person needs to be ready to stop in order to quit drinking.

How to Stop Drinking without AA: A Complete Guide

The best choice will often depend on how severe your addiction is, what motivates your drinking, and which types of support match your personality or perspective. If you are experiencing negative impacts from drinking and are struggling to cut back, you may have alcohol use disorder. It’s always best to see a doctor https://ecosoberhouse.com/ for an evaluation, but for a quick check, take our alcohol use survey to see where you stand. Stability is something that both support groups and formal drug treatment strongly encourage their members to establish by creating a routine. The addicted brain has been significantly overworked and overstimulated.

• By Buddy TBuddy T is a writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism.
• But for most people, staying sober isn’t that straightforward.
• And fortunately, there are many other effective choices out there.
• The program’s philosophy emphasizes positivity, practicality, and staying focused on the present.