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Since then, I’ve managed to stay sober, in spite of being an unhappy member of the religious cult known as Alcoholics Anonymous. Recently, and luckily for me, I’ve given up on AA, after coming clean over the organization’s intent, meaning, and purpose. For those that haven’t read my tale of boozing woe, here’s the primer of those drinking days. I know these things are true because I have sat in rooms around the world and listened, for hundreds of hours, to the experiences others have had with alcohol.
What AA says about anger?
If our tempers are consistently bad, we arouse anger in others. If the pursuit of wealth tramples upon people who happen to be in the way, then anger, jealousy, and revenge are likely to be aroused. We have found that justified anger ought to be left to those better qualified to handle it.
They offer support groups both online as well as in person, and have volunteers who do one-on-one support over the phone. It’s a great place to connect with fellow ladies for some support in sobriety. get sober without aa 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.
Degrees for Mental Health & Addiction Professionals: Choosing the Right Path for Your Goals
It’s a great way to get to know others in your neighborhood—or anywhere else! One of the best features of the app was extra support during the holidays thanks to a “Burning Desire” button that allowed a user to alert others in the area that they need help when temptation arises. One of the nicest parts of this community is it focuses on recovery writ large. So, if you need sobriety support from harder drugs or other issues, then you might just feel at home here. In order to find a support group that works for you and start building your sober network, we’ve compiled a list of the top online sober communities and groups. These go beyond the groups you already know and can help you find what you need to get and stay sober. Our addiction specialists are always ready to answer your questions and help you access the care you need.
- You can increase the odds of staying sober by finding support and asober livingcommunity.
- AA members becoming tax funded employees and court advocates to help people skirt responsibility for criminal behavior, reduce time for treatment – AA taught me to take responsibility for my actions.
- I am simply tired of rehashing the same old sad story ….
- AA operates on the premise that individuals who are “addicts” remain addicts for life, even if they are not currently using substances.
- I quit drinking in 2009 without the help of AA or rehab.
Opposite-sex sponsors are discouraged or even prohibited in some groups. To answer your second question, I believe that something special happens any time an alcoholic person gets sober. Since I know this happens in AA, I’d have to say there is definitely something special about AA. It is a bunch of people who support each other and that is something pretty special too. Who could be more supportive of recovery than another alcoholic? They understand each other in a way someone without a drinking problem could never understand. They help each other make changes to their lives that will help them maintain sobriety and live a happier life as well.
The Relationship Between Schizophrenia & Addiction
I don’t even think it’s possible to love and believe in yourself 100% of the time. 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 celebrate with you. The fundamental belief of Alcoholics Anonymous, which is that we shouldn’t drink alcohol 100% of the time, works.
I haven’t died or ended up in an institution like members threatened. I’d say my life is healthier now than it ever was in AA. I have had continous sobriety and have been an active participant all this time. My life is good and I am a stable, strong and successful woman… a far cry from the shy young woman who could not cope with her life so many years ago. I have been cutting down on meetings in the past year, going to one a week and I am seriously considering quitting AA for good. I am simply tired of rehashing the same old sad story …. It ‘s been so many years… I fully accept that drinking is not an option for me, but I am tired of carrying the label of being a sick and broken person for life!
What Does It Take To Stay Sober Long Term?
It’s about creating lasting changes in your life to live a happy and healthy life. AA is only of many ways to achieve and maintain sobriety.
LifeRing Secular Recovery is a support group for people to share life experiences and success stories about sobriety. If these emotions become excessive, they can hold you back from recovery. If you are trying to maintain a sober lifestyle, those feelings can become toxic and contribute to relapse if you don’t deal with them properly. People in recovery from a substance use disorder frequently have problems meeting work-related responsibilities, maintaining employment, and managing money. If you were active in your addiction for a period of time, you may have developed financial problems. A therapist can help you learn new coping skills, develop new thinking patterns, and address any co-occurring mental health conditions that may make recovery more difficult.
Getting Sober Without AA—What Are Your Options?
Levine proposes that Buddhism is ideally suited to target addiction, since transcending suffering and “nonattachment” are at its core. Levine published the book Refuge Recovery in 2014, and since then groups and meetings have been popping up all over the U.S. as well as in Canada, Denmark, Finland, and the UK. There are also online and phone-in meetings for those who can’t make it to any of the physical locations.
- You may also need to change your route to work or home in order to avoid any triggers, or people, places, or things that make you want to use drugs or drink again.
- By helping you to uncover the root of your addiction, you can start the healing process.
- In addition, I practice secular Buddhism, which encourages its practitioners to abstain from alcohol.
- Even though AA hasn’t been the route I’ve taken, I agree that it works if you work it.
- That friendship dynamic used to work but no longer works.
They can also be an invaluable source of practical advice for things like withdrawal and or even repairing relationships with estranged loved ones. The SMART in SMART Recovery stands for Self Management and Recovery Training. https://ecosoberhouse.com/ It’s a worldwide support network and arguably the leading alternative to AA. It espouses a four-point program based on abstinence, the ultimate goal of which is to help followers to lead more balanced lives.
