Young and Sober in AA: It could save your life Alcoholics Anonymous

LifeRing focuses mainly on the present – on living a full and positive sober life without dwelling too much on past indiscretions and hurts that may have been the result of problematic drinking. One of the most popular forms of alcohol addiction management and recovery support is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), a 12-Step program. AA is 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. AA also expects its members to remain abstinent from alcohol and drugs completely, and this is also a concept that is not ideal for every person. A primary reason 12-step works for so many people (in my opinion) is it sets you up with a new social scene, full of folks just like yourself.

Building Strong Support Systems

• Still, if you’d like to believe in yourself, you have what it takes to do it.
• Rewarding yourself for staying sober can positively reinforce your behavior and encourage you to continue on the path to sobriety.
• My experience at Silver Ridge has been life changing to me.

So, it’s extra helpful to have a support network available to you when you need it. If you find it difficult to make new, sober friends, try joining a support group. If your home life, work life or social scene is causing stress and/or tempting you to drink more than you should/want to, it might be time to change things up.

Detox and Rehab

The addicted brain has been significantly overworked and overstimulated. There’s reassurance and comfort to be found in repetition and a sense of stability that their life has likely been missing for some time. How to apply accountability to your life if you’re not a part of a peer-based recovery group? Confide in those closest to you and allow them to be your sounding board for your triumphs and failures. Even if they’re not recovering alcoholics themselves, those you talk to are likely invested in your wellbeing and will work with you to resist temptation and lessen the likelihood of relapsing.

Avoid Triggers and Temptations

And fortunately, there are many other effective choices out there. Your journey towards self-improvement begins with a single step, https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/15-benefits-of-the-alcohol-free-lifestyle/ and we’re here to walk alongside you every step of the way. Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood boosters.

The Role of Regular Workouts Throughout Rehab Stages

There is no tried-and-true way to determine whether moderation works for you. In other words, try moderation for a short time and see how it goes. With a Reddit account, you can protect your privacy and stay anonymous. Because r/stopdrinking is public, you can read its discussions without commenting or even creating a Reddit account. When you drink alcohol, your brain releases endorphins, which are the body’s natural “feel-good” chemicals. These endorphins are responsible for the pleasurable, buzzed feeling you get from alcohol.

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. If you have specific concerns or a situation arises in which you require medical advice, you should consult with an appropriately trained and qualified medical services provider. If you are trying to find a way to stay sober without AA, consider placing words of wisdom and positivity in your home, workplace, and on your social media pages. Words may help you and provide light and positivity to your loved ones as well. Old photos may help people remember how far they have come and given them the courage to continue down their path of sobriety.

• Recognizing and avoiding triggers and temptations is key to maintaining sobriety.
• By becoming well-informed about the risks involved, you’ll reinforce your commitment to quit drinking.
• If you experience these situations, there are other ways to stay sober without AA.
• While it’s still crucial to lean on your loved ones and meet routinely with your therapist, there are daily practices you can put into place to foster a sober lifestyle on your own.
• Naltrexone is a prescription medication that immediately reduces the “buzz” of alcohol and curbs cravings in the long term.

Author: Find Recovery Editorial Team

They can also be an invaluable source of practical advice for things like withdrawal and or even repairing relationships with estranged loved ones. Our staff are highly trained with dual mental health and substance use licensing. Our medical staff includes an ASAM certified addiction psychiatrist & an addiction-trained getting sober without aa primary care physician. Focused on the present moment, LifeRing helps individuals leave the past in the past and pursue recovery to find one’s strongest selves. These groups are good options if you are seeking a more secular approach to recovery while also desiring peer support and group sessions.

• Just as they had a group with whom they enjoyed the conviviality of drinking/drugging, the companionship and caring of a group of people traveling the path of recovery is important for success.
• Understanding the risks of drugs/alcohol can be a powerful motivator to stay sober.
• These conditions not only increase susceptibility to substance abuse but also complicate recovery efforts if left unaddressed.
• Additionally, some people may find AA’s group dynamics or principles too rigid or dogmatic.
• If you think you can stick with it, creating a tapering schedule and gradually reducing how much you drink is usually the best approach.

Educate Yourself on the Dangers of Alcohol

They focus on methods that use both Motivational Enhancement Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy components to engender change of self-destructive behaviors. Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) is indicated for the treatment of opioid dependence in adults. Suboxone should not be taken by individuals who have been shown to be hypersensitive to buprenorphine or naloxone as serious adverse reactions, including anaphylactic shock, have been reported.