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TSM is part of a broader harm reduction approach to alcohol use. It involved taking naltrexone before drinking, which blocks the ‘feel-good’ chemicals released when consuming alcohol. Over time, this process helped me unlearn the addictive behavior by rewiring my brain’s response to alcohol.
Strategies for Managing Relapses
A 2014 study showed that “baseline motivation and self-efficacy” are key predictors of moderation success (5). In other words, those who are motivated and believe they can successfully moderate their drinking tend to have the best results. It’s understandable if you don’t want to share this part of your life with friends or family. No matter what your sobriety journey looks like, a supportive community can be crucial to sticking with it.
Workit Health’s Online Addiction Courses: The 6 Core Sections
“It’s not a sad consequence; it’s a proud choice,” the website reads, referring to sobriety. “There is a commonly held belief that sobriety is the consequence of bad behavior or inability to control our liquor. We don’t see it that way.” If you’ve been thinking about re-evaluating what you toast at social events, one of these sober-curious courses or communities may help you decide for good. All of these and more are legitimate reasons to look for an AA alternative. And fortunately, there are many other effective choices out there. Excessive drinking has numerous impacts on your body and mind, ranging from mild to severe.
Workit Health providers can and do prescribe medication (as appropriate) as part of treatment for alcohol use disorder. Except she couldn’t find help in a way that worked for her — AA wasn’t her jam and inpatient/outpatient care cost way too much. So she created Tempest, which provides a mobile, self-directed yet supported method to get and stay sober. The course includes weekly live sessions, weekly recorded lectures, Q&A sessions, daily guided meditations, intention-setting and more. If you are looking for support and treatment that provide alternatives to AA meetings, you can reach out to one of our admissions navigators at . They can provide you with the support and information you need as you begin on your path toward recovery.
Need help developing your own support system, working through year one focuses or working through year two suggestions? Feel free to set up a free 60 minute Alternative Recovery Plan Strategy Call with me so that you can get clear on your vision, what’s stopping you from moving forward now and your specific next steps. We are all different so surround yourself with people who created their own path and devote their lives to lifting other people up. Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS) programs are a conglomeration of recovery programs, both online and in-person, which provide an alternative to AA.
- Loosid, a sober social network, was built with the idea that sober living is often tough.
- Nevertheless, many people in the rooms end up “white-knucking” their way through sobriety, especially in the early stages.
- I drank daily for a decade, often feeling trapped in a cycle of drinking and regret.
- This way, you’ll become increasingly adept at navigating obstacles encountered along the road toward long-term sobriety.
Starting a Business When You Have Mental Health Challenges
Groups meet virtually throughout the week and focus on a wide range of topics. If you’re a Workit Health member, you can self-enroll in groups through the Community tab in our app. Whitaker makes it clear that Tempest is not a replacement for a 12-step program, but she also makes it clear that Tempest is not just for those who are clinically addicted to alcohol. Tempest costs $547 for the eight-week program, so there’s definitely an out-of-pocket cost, but it may be well worth it if you’re trying to reevaluate your relationship with alcohol. Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS) is a network of independent groups to help people achieve or maintain sobriety.
Program Reviews
Alcoholics Anonymous, and many older treatment programs, emphasize total abstinence from drinking as the only solution. However, newer perspectives on treatment now accept moderation, or cutting back, as an acceptable answer to problem drinking. There are several science-based alternatives to AA, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and contingency management (CM). These therapies focus on changing harmful thought patterns and behaviors, promoting neuroplasticity, and providing practical coping strategies for alcohol recovery. Harm reduction focuses on reducing the negative impacts of alcohol use, rather than enforcing total abstinence.
SOS (Secular Organizations for Sobriety)
If you are tapering off alcohol or pursuing moderation, it helps to give yourself objective data. Use a drink-tracking app, a notebook, or a breathalyzer to record how much you are actually drinking every day. This will keep you honest with yourself and your support system, and help you stick to your goals. 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 a chance for a full reset. Outpatient rehab lets you continue living at home and attend treatment for several hours per day.
- I now know that this was due to a well-researched phenomenon known as ‘The Alcohol Deprivation Effect’ (ADE).
- Access resources to learn about naltrexone and the Sinclair Method, a proven approach to reduce drinking.
- In other words, those who are motivated and believe they can successfully moderate their drinking tend to have the best results.
- You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with our licensed Reframe coaches for more personalized guidance.
- You’ll meet hundreds of fellow Reframers in our 24/7 Forum chat and daily Zoom check-in meetings.
- A big part of long-term recovery is building a sober life you are happy with.
One of the reasons why people seek alternatives to AA is that it may not align with their beliefs or values. Some individuals may feel uncomfortable with the religious or spiritual aspects of AA, while others may prefer a more secular approach. Staying sober is a challenging and complex journey that requires a lot of effort, commitment, and support.
It was designed to create community, support and camaraderie for those struggling towards sobriety. Our treatments are tailored to marijuana addiction serve each person’s unique needs and you can read about both Oar members who want to quit drinking entirely as well as Oar members who want to moderate their drinking. They empower individuals to take control of their recovery process and can significantly enhance the effectiveness of professional treatments. Mental health is an integral component of a successful sobriety journey. Many individuals struggling with addiction also suffer from co-existing mental health disorders such as depression or anxiety. These conditions not only increase susceptibility to substance abuse but also complicate recovery efforts if left unaddressed.
Comparing yourself to others is more likely to set you behind than push you forward. Celebrate each day spent sober and acknowledge those victories in a way that is special to you. You may find that you enjoy certain aspects of AA, but also require additional recovery support from non-AA recovery treatments. There is no “one true path” to changing your relationship with drinking. Try a few different treatments and stick with what works for you.
Do You Have to Quit Completely? Why Sobriety Looks Different for Everyone
It’s essential to discuss your feelings, fears, and achievements during this process. Transparency builds trust within support networks, making it easier for them to provide appropriate assistance when needed. They offer comfort during tough times and celebrate your victories along the way. It’s critical that your family comprehends what you’re enduring so they can furnish successful backing. Bear in mind that dealing effectively with relapses isn’t just about bouncing back after each setback – it’s equally vital to continually refine strategies based on lessons learned from previous experiences. This way, you’ll become increasingly adept at navigating obstacles encountered along the road toward long-term sobriety.
