If you’ve been affected by the issues raised in this article, help and support is available via BBC Action Line. “Let the people that you’re with try it because when they love it too, you’ll feel validated.” Without drinking, she says she’s a more attentive friend but she admits getting sober without aa it’s a bit harder to find your feet on the dancefloor. So if you aren’t drinking this year, you don’t have to be limited to orange juice. “If you make it your personality, you kind of stick to it.” If Kali’s feeling tempted to have a drink, she just opens her notes app.

Every single path to recovery, even those that require the assistance of others, is deeply personal. Write your blog posts, eat your cake, and put yourself on the pedestal for a while. The people who cannot understand your moments of pride in sobriety aren’t the ones you need around you anyways. I assure you that if you surround yourself with other sober people, they will understand why you feel proud of what you’ve accomplished and (usually) celebrate with you. Regular exercise can help improve your mood and reduce anxiety. When you feel the urge to drink, try to distract yourself with something you enjoy doing.

Alternatives to the AA Approach

In communicating with people considering sobriety, preconceived notions about AA are the most common point of disinterest in making the change for themselves, and I understand why. It requires dedication, commitment, and a willingness to seek out alternative methods of support. Remember that Recovery is a journey, not a destination, and it’s okay to stumble along the way.

Hosted by therapist Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast shares how to avoid repeating mistakes and build better habits. John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine. For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Jersey to raise alcohol tax by 4.5%

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. At a glance, these messages make sense, but in reality, they are not practical. Yes, trying to love yourself and building routines that empower you with self-belief is essential. However, I know (from experience) that it doesn’t take self-love for other people to love you.

• Sober living programs are a great alternative for those seeking a structured environment to support their recovery.
• Coping mechanisms can be anything from meditation to hobbies, such as painting or playing an instrument.
• I was far more stubborn back then than I am now and would probably give a few different meetings a go if it was my last option or if I was faced with the possibility of relapse.

Identify some things you enjoy doing that don’t involve drinking, and cultivate those new rituals and activities. Medications can reduce these cravings by rebalancing your brain chemistry, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ and even blocking some of the effects of alcohol. This can help you move forward more quickly, and makes it easier to focus on behavior change or establishing new habits.

Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS)

Staying sober without AA can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. One effective way to stay sober is to develop coping mechanisms that work for you. Coping mechanisms can be anything from meditation to hobbies, such as painting or playing an instrument.

If you are not making healthy choices every day, you may find yourself craving to go back to your old habits—the ones that got you to this point in the first place. One of the challenges of getting sober with AA is about willpower. 12 step philosophy emphasizes surrendering control to higher power.