How to Quit Drinking without Alcoholics Anonymous: Self-Help R Watson

It may seem a little contradictory, but that’s a price you’ll need to pay, because you absolutely must have a Higher Power™ in order to stay clean, sober, or abstinent. Whenever possible, talk to yourself in a way that is compassionate. Remember to practice self-care and focus on what is in your control.

Exercise and Physical Activity

I had let myself go physically and I often felt rundown or hungover. I keep some photos of myself during this period of time because all of these things are reflected in the way I looked and the way I carried myself. When I’m feeling down about recovery, I look at these photos. And the choice to not drink becomes an easy one, because no part of me wants to return to that person I was before. Like many who are in recovery, I used to use alcohol to release stress and fear.

Find a recovery community

These empowering approaches will guide you towards a healthier, alcohol-free life. You begin with a treatment plan, which may include staying at a Solana Beach sober living facility, and learn about the journey from your peers and addiction recovery professionals. There are many strategies you can adopt—for example, identifying triggers, sticking to a structured lifestyle, practicing mindfulness through meditation, exercising, and avoiding specific situations. When these strategies become part of your lifestyle, you’ll feel the precious gift of sobriety getting closer. When this happens, staying sober will become your new lifestyle. The 4-Point Program empowers you to build and sustain motivation, confront cravings, manage your thoughts, emotions, and actions, and lead a balanced, healthy, and happy life.

• Many people who misuse alcohol or drugs have trouble dealing with anger.
• Staying focused on recovery and participating in sobriety-based activities allows individuals the opportunity to develop a healthier outlook on life without alcohol or drugs.
• Others may find the hardest part of maintaining their sobriety is finding new social outlets and communities.

Avoid Having “Just One Drink”

Other people won’t be able to tell the difference just by looking at your glass. Lean on close friends and family for support, even if your relationships aren’t what they used to be. Think about going to counseling or family therapy to help with that and to deal with other personal issues. Licensed medical professionals review material we publish on our site. The material is not a substitute for qualified medical diagnoses, treatment, or advice. It should not be used to replace the suggestions of your personal physician or other health care professionals.

It’s a reminder that you’re not alone and helps reinforce your commitment to sobriety. Offering encouragement to others can provide a sense of purpose and satisfaction, and it strengthens the entire community. Acknowledging your drinking problem can be challenging, but it’s a critical step in the journey toward sobriety.

Why Some Form of Support Matters

If you feel lost, discouraged, or have relapsed, also consider contacting an addiction rehab center. The alcohol prompts them to hide behind their stress and fear instead of coping with it. Old photos may help people remember how far they have come and given them the courage to continue down their path of sobriety. Have you thought about joining AA, but do not have transportation to travel to meetings? Looking at old photographs may help some people stay clean and sober. This especially may help if people are thinking about taking a drink of alcohol.

Resources

If you don’t want to quit alcohol completely, or have had too much trouble staying 100% sober in the past, harm reduction might be the right approach. Alcoholics Anonymous, and many older treatment programs, emphasize total abstinence from drinking as the only solution. However, newer perspectives how to stay sober without aa on treatment now accept moderation, or cutting back, as an acceptable answer to problem drinking. These are all important steps to take when trying to stay sober.

Try to incorporate exercise into your daily routine, even if it’s just a short walk. Additionally, make sure you’re getting enough sleep, as lack of sleep can worsen mood and anxiety. SMART Recovery is a science-based program that emphasizes self-empowerment and self-reliance. Excessive drinking has numerous impacts on your body and mind, ranging from mild to severe. Learn which signs to look out for, and how to care for your well-being.

• I’ve found that it doesn’t matter if we haven’t met in real life, that connection still exists because we have been through the same struggles and we’ve all decided to change our lives for the better.
• In 2020, researchers at Stanford University conducted a deep-dive study into AA statistics, and their findings suggest a higher success rate of 60 percent.
• However, it will demand change from those living sober lives to approach new opportunities.
• If you recently had surgery or an injury, your doctor will be careful with the pain medication they give you, because some of those drugs can make you more likely to relapse.
• Let’s explore some of the most helpful online resources and programs available.

The way abstinence fits into AUD recovery can be called a “feature” these days. When AA released its foundational literature in 1939, abstinence was deemed necessary, but the focus was on a lifelong journey to rebuild a life devastated by AUD. For most of the 20th century, researchers latched onto abstinence as the fuel of sobriety, probably because it was easier to measure as a binary factor. In other words, you can be dry without being sober, as we’ll explain below. But I think it’s helpful to remove the shame if it’s not your path. The goal isn’t finding the what is alcoholism “right” program; it’s finding what actually helps you stay sober.