AA Didn’t Work for Me; Queer Support Groups Got Me Sober
Routines also impart discipline and self-restraint which is a particularly valuable skill recovering addicts will need to relearn. How a Swindon cafe is helping people with mental illness back to work. She’s found sharing her sober journey on stay sober without aa her own podcast, Hangxiety, as well as listening to other people’s experiences has been a good way of helping her stick to it. Tom, Jamie and Kali all say their friends and family have been really supportive of their decision not to drink.
This recovery path features physical exercise, from CrossFit to climbing to hiking and running to yoga and cycling, and so much more. 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. What is important to remember here is that recovery is fluid. Our needs change, so our need for various support systems and interventions evolve as well.
Soberistas
It was the exact kind of feeling that, prior to sobriety, I’d have drunk more to get rid of… Of all the things I learned from AA, one thing I know for sure is that drinking and me don’t mix. If you think you have a drinking problem, you should check out AA. Without a doubt, going to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and being a part of the fellowship saved my life. There are a couple different ways to make an oyster shooter. Most of them involve an oyster swimming in its own juice or tomato juice, though sometimes it’s cocktail sauce.
- There are many resources available to help you stay on track and prevent relapse.
- This kind of soul searching can be scary at times—but it’s also thrilling.
- Once you are past the initial detox phase, rehabilitation programs (or rehab) are one way to go.
- Each person is encouraged to find their own method of encouraging their sober self within a LifeRing program.
Another way to stay sober without AA is to exercise regularly. Exercising can produce endorphins such as serotonin and dopamine. These substances are chemicals in your brain that help you feel happiness, pleasure, and satisfaction. HAMS is a peer-led group that provides support and information to those who want to change their drinking habits.
How to go sober at Christmas, from people who know
Café Re acknowledges that it is very difficult to quit drinking by yourself. That’s why this community is a private, confidential Facebook group for those who want to find a new life. Its goal is to get rid of the stigma surrounding alcohol use disorder for everyone who wants to quit, including those who have failed once or twice before (like the community’s founder, Paul). This Reddit community isn’t as big as r/stopdrinking, but r/redditorsinrecovery can be a great secondary Reddit resource.
My road to recovery from alcoholism, like so many others, is defined by its potholes. The first pothole was the deepest; in fact, it was the one I got stuck in for years. It was also one that marked the beginning of a new direction, for if I hadn’t hit it — if I hadn’t sunken into despair — then I wouldn’t have quit drinking. 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.
SoberGrid
We provide a list of treatment centers located within the United States that are JHACO or CARF accredited. Individuals can call the centers directly or call our Toll Free number for further assistance. Even if you choose not to do AA, that doesn’t mean you have to fight your addiction alone. A counselor can address your personal issues and hold you accountable for your addiction. Trained professionals can help you integrate whatever medication is available into your treatment program.
Sudden withdrawal from heavy drinking can be dangerous or even fatal, so it’s best to have a doctor’s supervision. If you have a milder drinking problem, you might be able https://ecosoberhouse.com/ to go it alone. Of course, you have to want to make a change for you to be successful. But you don’t have to go to rehab or AA meetings to meet your goal of getting sober.
I stopped attending meetings because a lot of stuff I was instructed to believe became less useful the more “sober” I got.
Of all the things that support my sobriety, one of the most critical is knowing that there are sober people are all around me, inside and outside formal programs like AA. Ironically, thanks in great part to the work I did in 12-step programs, I learned that alcoholism wasn’t my only problem — or even my biggest problem. I stopped attending meetings because a lot of stuff I was instructed to believe became less useful the more “sober” I got. The other day I came across this great article that spells out the very frustration I would feel in meetings. Start by talking to a doctor to make sure it is safe for you to go through withdrawal without medical care, and create a list of people to call just in case. If you think you can stick with it, creating a tapering schedule and gradually reducing how much you drink is usually the best approach.
- You can use the internet to realize your dream to sobriety.
- Get into a good sleeping routine and you will see major improvements in your mood and overall wellbeing.
- Unfortunately, that information isn’t as readily available as AA literature and references are.
The community reinforces that it’s okay to fail so long as you get back up again, which makes it feel non-judgmental and supportive. If you’re seeking a community that’s focused on positive health and behavior change, then Hello Sunday Morning might be right for you. This community supports anyone who wants to change their relationship with alcohol, in whatever form—whether abstaining, taking a break, or just better understanding it. The forums of Sober Recovery are a great place for people with substance use disorder to find assistance and helpful information. The community has more than 168,000 people who are recovering from substance use disorder and/or codependence, as well as their friends and family.
