Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) are two types of therapy that have been shown to be effective in treating addiction. 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. This can help you focus on something positive instead of turning to alcohol. For some, this means cutting back slowly or choosing low-risk drinking goals. It’s a secular program based on science and cognitive behavioral strategies.
- I incorporate a lot of things, including the 12 steps, and enjoy reading about Buddhism and the 12-steps, which is interesting and rewarding.
- This can help you focus on something positive instead of turning to alcohol.
- Likewise, scheduling time for regular self-care, repairing relationships with loved ones, and taking on more responsibilities at home or a sober living facility can all help structure daily life.
Go to Mutual Support Groups
You possess the strength to overcome addiction, and alongside other tools and methods, Sober Sidekick will be there as your loyal sidekick, supporting you every step of the way. Alcohol withdrawal is a reaction how to stay sober without aa that occurs when a person who has been drinking heavily for weeks, months, or years suddenly stops or significantly reduces their alcohol consumption. Symptoms can range from mild anxiety and fatigue to severe complications like seizures and delirium. Understanding them can help you manage these challenges effectively.

You Can Learn How to Stay Sober Without AA

Kali Lux is a consumer marketing leader with a focus on healthcare and wellness. She has over a decade of experience in building and operating metrics-driven brand, demand generation, and customer experience teams. There are endless options to try for support and guidance if you’d struggling with alcohol. “Acamprosate, marketed under the brand name Campral, is an orally administered drug available by prescription in the U.S. and throughout much of the world for treating alcohol dependence. It targets neurotransmitters involved in alcohol dependence, such as glutamate and GABA, providing support for a successful recovery journey.
- You can try different meetings for the different groups to find one that’s right for you.
- Some people who are on their way to recovery post positive messages on social media and internet groups.
- Mental health professionals can provide evidence-based therapies and support to make your transition to an alcohol-free lifestyle smoother.
- This leads to a buildup of acetaldehyde, a toxic compound that causes unpleasant side effects when alcohol is consumed.
COVID and My Mental Health
It’s a reminder that you’re not alone and helps reinforce your commitment to sobriety. Offering encouragement to others can provide a sense of purpose and satisfaction, and it strengthens the entire community. Many of the activities that make for a healthy routine are also effective for relapse prevention.

Program Links
- It is important to know that this is not an overnight process or an easy journey.
- Changing your drinking habits and embracing an alcohol-free lifestyle can be transformative.
If you experience relapse, the most important thing to do is pick back up with treatment and keep developing coping strategies to prevent the chances of relapse happening again. If you have struggled with alcoholism and are hoping to achieve sobriety for Halfway house good, there are many ways to do it without attending AA. The best way forward for your recovery from alcohol or substance use is to incorporate a wide variety of strategies that will help foster success. Remember to care for yourself, seek supportive relationships, and consider seeking help from a therapist.
Identifying personal triggers and working with professionals and loved ones is necessary to have a plan to navigate triggering situations without turning to the use of drugs or alcohol. AA meetings, NA meetings, and 12-step programs can all be great places to start finding a sober community. Relapse is very common during recovery, and it does not mean that you failed.
