11 Tips To Help You Stay Sober

Consider reaching out to a vocational rehabilitation counselor or career coach to help you update your resume, practice job interview skills, and locate jobs that match your skills and experience. A structured routine will help you achieve other goals in your life, whether they are short-term (like being on time for work) or long-term (like going back to school and changing careers). Having a chaotic or disorganized lifestyle can also hinder your recovery.

How to Stay Sober Without AA: Proven Strategies for Success in 2024

Relapse (using substances again after stopping) can and does happen, with 85% of people experiencing relapse at least once and half of them doing so within the first two weeks of sobriety. Then, the first few weeks of sobriety are when relapse risk is highest. Detox can occur in a hospital setting or as the first part of inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation. One study found that 68% of people treated in a detox unit experienced moderate alcohol withdrawal symptoms. You can expect certain alcohol withdrawal symptoms such as sleep disruption to occur, though some people can experience seizures and other severe symptoms.

Healthy Lifestyle Changes

The SMART Recovery program is not based on a spiritual foundation like AA; instead, it’s foundation is research-based. This means that scientific research and evidence are used to support the techniques and methods that are promoted through this model. Take our short alcohol quiz to learn where you fall on the drinking spectrum and if you might benefit from quitting or cutting back https://ecosoberhouse.com/ on alcohol. In summary, if AA doesn’t feel like the right fit for you, there are many options and many effective paths to choose from to better match your needs and beliefs. It’s important to set boundaries for yourself and stick to them. This can include avoiding places or people that trigger your urge to drink or setting a limit on how much alcohol you allow yourself to consume.

Moderation Management

In addition to friends and family, consider joining support groups outside of AA. I started to meet with my counselor a couple of times a week for actual person-centered therapy sessions. Then, I enrolled in outpatient treatment so I could work towards sorting out my past trauma and self-hate. They getting sober without aa will address your specific needs and equip you with the skills to cope with cravings, triggers, and emotional struggles. The guidance of a substance use counselor or addiction specialist can be invaluable in providing you with the necessary tools and strategies to navigate recovery challenges.

Community Support

• Absolutely, there are many alternative methods such as sober living programs, therapy, and lifestyle changes that can lead to long-term sobriety.
• Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) involves withdrawal symptoms that persist past the detox period.
• Our staff are highly trained with dual mental health and substance use licensing.
• If you are wondering how to stay sober without AA, you have many options.
• LifeRing believes that each individual holds their own key to recovery, and it is not necessary to then place control in the hands of a spiritual being.
• Rehabilitation centers, also known as rehab centers, are facilities that provide treatment for individuals with substance use disorder.

SMART Recovery Groups for Alcohol Addiction