‘All I can say to anyone thinking about [going sober] is it’s a wonderful way of living your life. Medications such as naltrexone can reduce cravings and reduce alcohol consumption. Talk to your doctor if you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol. “Isolation and depression from the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in increases in alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harms requiring medical treatment,” reflects Dr. Weaver.

I don’t revoke my AA membership.

If you plan to quit cold turkey (all at once), make sure you are well-stocked with everything you’ll need for the week—withdrawal can make you feel very ill. One of the challenges of getting sober with AA is about willpower. 12 step philosophy emphasizes surrendering control to higher power. Nevertheless, many people in the rooms end up “white-knucking” their way through sobriety, especially in the early stages. Strong cravings can make it feel like a battle of wills between you and alcohol.

Diary of an Alcoholic Housewife by Brenda Wilhelmson

• 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.
• SMART Recovery programs avoid labels, such as “alcoholic,” and shy away from the disease model of addiction.
• For many years, the accepted options were to send folks to 30-day inpatient treatment or told them to go to AA.
• Related to harm reduction, but also useful for complete sobriety, medications for alcohol use disorder are gaining increased popularity.
• ‘All I can say to anyone thinking about [going sober] is it’s a wonderful way of living your life.

You nor your loved one are under any obligation to commit to an Ark Behavioral Health treatment program when calling our helpline. Using meditation, you can discover the triggers behind your addiction. That way you can be aware of your responses to these triggers. Studies show that certain brain chemicals play a role in addiction. It also promotes confidence and structure, which are important to recovery.

Practice Healthy Living

• It’s important to find healthy ways to cope with stress and triggers that may lead to relapse.
• Rehab centers can offer a range of treatment methods, including counseling, therapy, and medication-assisted treatment.
• It requires dedication, commitment, and a willingness to seek out alternative methods of support.
• Also, with the exception of online rehab, these programs can be very disruptive to work and family life.

In some cases, there may be medication that can help with a drug or alcohol problem. In fact, the FDA has approved three drugs for treating alcoholism. Staying committed to your goal, even through setbacks, empowers you to overcome challenges and embrace your newfound sober lifestyle.

Build Healthy Relationships

• Stefanie Wilder-Taylor has always had a complicated relationship with alcohol.
• To find a treatment program, browse the top-rated addiction treatment facilities in each state by visiting our homepage, or by viewing the SAMHSA Treatment Services Locator.
• Women are encouraged to go over the 13 acceptance statements each morning and then work through them throughout the day, reflecting on them each night.

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. You might also prefer to drink coffee, tea, a seltzer with fresh fruit, or a soda with fresh lemon or lime. Once you start to reap the benefits of not drinking, it may be easier to opt for alternatives since your body may be feeling better without alcohol. You can learn more about treatment through some of our sobriety stories.

Addiction Among Teachers

If you have a drug or alcohol problem but don’t want to go to AA, keep reading. There are still plenty of ways to get the treatment you need and start the healthy lifestyle you deserve. It’s important to surround yourself with positive influences and seek help when needed.

It’s impossible to know how you’ll react and how your life will change when getting and staying sober. The most impactful and beneficial aspect of Alcoholics Anonymous or a drug program is the community. Lying to loved ones about what you’re doing and with whom, or feelings of shame about your problem can lead to feelings of isolation. The further you stray from who you used to be, the more you feel that you can’t relate to others (or that they can’t relate to you). Having peers who are going through or have dealt with the struggles of alcoholism provides much-needed emotional support.

It is generally the first step in a more comprehensive treatment plan. In fact, getting sober and sustaining sobriety is easier when you have a trusted support system motivating, encouraging, and supporting you along the way. A study from Substance Abuse indicates that having support from others can improve a person’s chances of engaging in and completing detox and treatment for addiction. This guide includes the steps required to fully support the path and the journey to addiction recovery.

For those struggling with drug or alcohol abuse, AA and its sister groups are some of the most popular programs for getting sober. In fact, as of 2019, over 2 million people worldwide went to AA. Celebrate every milestone and achievement, no matter how small they may seem. Rewarding yourself for staying sober positively reinforces your behavior and encourages you to continue on the path to sobriety.

• One of the best middle-ground options out there is online treatment.
• They offered testing, treatment, and sterile works nd injecting supplies.
• If you do not feel that AA is the program for you, the internet has many resources and may help people stay sober.
• For instance, if your substance use disorder is diagnosed as mild, an outpatient program might be recommended.
• There are also several other group support programs out there.

Author: Find Recovery Editorial Team

The internet is full of professional bloggers, motivation speakers, inspirational videos and quotes, podcasts among many things. Suck kind of valuable resources is designed to provide courage throughout your sobriety journey. Sobriety can be a fixed-term goal like staying sober for a set getting sober without aa period (such as Dry January), or a lifelong goal of staying sober from all substances. We do not receive any compensation or commission for referrals to other treatment facilities. Trained professionals can help you integrate whatever medication is available into your treatment program.