Can You Beat Addiction Without a 12-Step Program

An important part of recovery is addressing these issues and setting boundaries. For those struggling with drug or alcohol abuse, AA and its sister groups are some of the most popular programs for getting sober. In fact, as of 2019, over 2 million people worldwide went to AA. Now at 4 years and almost 4 months sober, I am in the latter group. I put a date on my sobriety a month before August 1st, 2015.

Hence, exercise can mimic the same effect of alcohol to some extent. When a person drinks alcohol, it releases endorphins. Exercise does the same thing, just to a lesser extent. It’s a good bridge between addiction and healthy coping mechanisms. The facts are similar across the board for other addictive substances, like nicotine and heroin. Relapse is a common part of recovery in the alcoholism cycle. Several studies theorize that both internal and external stimuli lead to this. That doesn’t mean that treatment doesn’t work, it just means it needs to be adjusted. As said before, research shows that more than one-third of alcoholics recover within the first year. So, when it comes to what percentage of alcoholics recover, it’s 36%.

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A newcomer is typically newly sober and requires significant support to maintain sobriety. It’s common that a newcomer doesn’t feel well both physically and mentally, as they no longer have alcohol or other substances that served as the solutions to their problems until recently. Without their preferred solution, newcomers are left to face their problems without the buffer of intoxication. The beauty of our technologically connected world is that you don’t necessarily have to be in-person to connect with others, which is one of the reasons digital recovery without aa alcohol treatment programs are viable AA alternatives. Once people decide to stop drinking, they may choose to attend AA. But, if people do not want to participate in AA or similar groups, they may look for other types of assistance. Many people choose to write in journals because writing helps them deal with their stress and fears. There are some people who do not believe or do not agree with the 12-step strategy. Some people cannot make it to AA meetings due to transportation issues, work responsibilities, family commitments, or other reasons.

Moderation Management is a program that helps people moderate their drinking in cases where total abstinence is not feasible. If you’re dealing with an alcohol problem and trying to get and stay sober, you’re not alone. The Scientific American wrote that in the aforementioned study, 40% of people suffering from AUD dropped out of the program. While The Big Book doesn’t help everyone, many members of AA programs find it helps them. Recovery rates are less than 36% for people with a severe or lifetime alcohol dependence. About 18% of recovering alcoholics were able to abstain from drinking completely one year later. Approximately 18% of recovering alcoholics achieved low-risk drinking after a year. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism , 14.1 million American adults had an alcohol use disorder in 2019. This doesn’t include American adults who use alcohol heavily and binge drink. Red flags, to me, are thoughts that romanticize drinking.

Gay and Lesbians in Alcoholics Anonymous

Potentially, aside from death, there is always something worse. Second, many people successfully change their alcohol or other drug use early, even after the very first signs of a problem. The idea that alcohol and other drug use is an incurable disease comes from 12-Step programs. It has been a widely held view, especially in the US, for many decades, despite evidence against the idea. There is no evidence the more you pay the better your success in treatment. And yoga and a private chef won’t solve your drug problem. What’s important is developing specific skills that can help prevent going back to problematic drug use. For that, you need trained professionals and good supports. No other area of medicine or counseling makes such allowances. In 1970, Senator Harold Hughes of Iowa, a member of AA, persuaded Congress to pass the Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act.

If you experience these situations, there are other ways to stay sober without AA. If you want to know how to stay sober without AA after a non-12 step rehab, keep reading. Partial hospitalization programs provide similar services as inpatient programs. These include medical services, behavioral therapy, and support groups, along with other customized therapies. It’s more than the steps that bring them recovery without aa back after relapse. Being among peers that truly support each other and struggle together helps people with AUD overcome it. Being a part of AA means that they’re not alone and don’t need to face alcoholism recovery on their own. Drug and alcohol abuse is often caused by problems in personal relationships. Codependency and controlling and passive-aggressive behavior are at the root of many addictions.

Outpatient programs are often part of aftercare programs once you complete an inpatient or PHP program. Partial hospitalization programs are sometimes referred to as intensive outpatient programs . Conversely, the more you spend your time doing things you enjoy, the less you’ll spend drinking. If you can, avoid going to events where you know that drinking is going to be a big part. The more you surround yourself with healthy relationships, the easier it will be to recover and maintain sobriety. After all, people die from excessive alcohol consumption every day. Women For Sobriety is an all-women mutual support network intended to let women discuss the unique addiction challenges they face.

Although 12-step programs have a history of much success in helping drug addicts and alcoholics recover from substance use disorder, they aren’t the only options for beating addiction. This research should explore mental health and functional outcomes (e.g., employment), as well as perceived well-being (e.g., happiness, quality of life) in addition to commonly studied alcohol/substance use outcomes. Additionally, though a substantial body of work has investigated AA’s mechanisms of behavior change, more research is needed in this domain to better understand how AA confers benefit. Despite AA’s long-standing international popularity, there has been debate about its clinical and Sober Home public health utility. Addressing this gap in knowledge was the rationale for this 2020 Cochrane Library report. This pattern of relative advantage for AA/Twelve-Step Facilitation interventions appeared to be consistent across both randomized controlled trials/quasi-experimental and non-randomized studies. AA/Twelve-Step Facilitation also reduced healthcare costs substantially more than other types of treatments. The goal of Young People in Recovery is to create “recovery ready communities” to provide support to those who are in recovery or in need of addiction treatment. YPR chapters hold in-person meetings to provide support and work to build recovery-ready communities.

Have you thought about joining AA, but do not have transportation to travel to meetings? You could try this technique to find and maintain sobriety. Another reason is that the 12-step philosophy doesn’t resonate with everyone. Some people are put off by particular aspects of the program, or they just feel like it’s not for them. Alcoholics Anonymous is the granddaddy of mutual help groups for alcohol addiction. Founded in 1935, AA has helped millions of people in the U.S. and around the world achieve sobriety and overcome the damage caused by alcoholism to their lives and relationships. This is why it often requires professional addiction treatment.

Medications are sometimes used in alcohol addiction treatment. The first step of an inpatient program is detoxification. Then behavioral therapy and other services are introduced. These programs provide 24/7 comprehensive, structured care. You’ll live in safe, substance-free housing and have access to professional medical monitoring.

After four or six weeks dry, he’d be back at the liquor store. Its faith-based 12-step program dominates treatment in the United States. But researchers have debunked central tenets of AA doctrine and found dozens of other treatments more effective. Some people may find the 12 steps too rigid or spiritual. SMART Recovery is less rigid, but it’s also less commonly found in communities. CBT costs money and often requires insurance, but some people may benefit from its more holistic and individualized approach.

• For some, venturing into the male-dominated rooms of AA can feel uncomfortable .
• AA certainly provides that to those who decide to join the fellowship.
• If you don’t think AA is the right choice for you, don’t worry.
• Most addiction support groups are peer-run without the guidance of a professional.

I didn’t drink the rest of the night — nor did I even want to. In fact, when I heard that the palate cleanser between dinner and dessert was topped with some kind of boozy foam, I passed. Granted, it was our first night in the country, and I was probably experiencing jet lag in addition to the effects of the booze. It was the exact kind of feeling that, prior to sobriety, I’d have drunk more to get rid of… I remind myself that there are lots of good reasons not to drink. If you think you have a drinking problem, you should check out AA. There are a couple different ways to make an oyster shooter.

Dr. Bob was so impressed by Bill W’s devotion to God and how it helped him overcome one of the largest obstacles in his life. Thus, he decided to follow the same steps his friend took to recovery. This book that is still used today incorporates the philosophy of AA as well as the famous 12 steps this fellowship uses to overcome addiction. AA is a faith-based program that incorporates religion of all kinds into its framework. It started through the friendship between a physician (Bob Smith, aka Dr. Bob) and a businessman . At the time, most people might have dismissed their alcohol dependence. However, both of them struggled with maintaining a normal life and their relationship with alcohol. Studies show that Alcoholics Anonymous , a support group that helps people with drinking problems, does work for many participants. The Scientific American writes that a study was conducted with 900 people suffering from alcoholism. They, like other alcoholics, questioned whether AA works.