Alternatives To AA: Getting Sober Without Alcoholics Anonymous

A number of people will have to face a drinking problem during their lives, and they usually look for help and support from other people, especially from those who have been through the same struggle and have found a way to stay sober.



One of the first things people will suggest is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), which has helped thousands of people get sober. However, for many people who start going to AA meetings, the program simply doesn't work. The spiritual side of AA just doesn’t mesh with some people, and they are sometimes left in desperation, wondering where to turn for help instead.



As luck would have it, there are alternatives to AA. This article examines some of the organizations that serve as alternatives to AA, as well as some alternative paths. Many of these alternatives to AA take a secular approach, but it's certainly possible to have a spiritual understanding of sobriety outside the rules of AA.



SMART Recovery, which stands for Self Management and Recovery Training, is one such organization. SMART takes a secular, scientific approach to sobriety through behavioral and cognitive methods. This basically means that they want to change the way you think about and react to alcohol. SMART focuses on four areas for developing life-long sobriety: building motivation, coping with urges, problem solving, and lifestyle balance. If you are interested in psychology, take a look at SMART Recovery.



LifeRing Secular Recovery is another alternative. LifeRing is also secular, and is centered on three principles: sobriety, secularity, and self-help. Each member is encouraged to find their own path to sobriety, and relapses are looked at as learning experiences. LifeRing is also designed to help people whose spouses are alcoholics.



Women For Sobriety is for women only, as the name implies. This program is also centered on changing how you think about alcohol through a process from psychology called cognitive behavioral therapy. Women For Sobriety also promotes a list of 13 aphorisms that harness the power of positive thinking and inspire women to achieve life-long sobriety.



Rational Recovery is yet another alternative, and its philosophy is pretty much the opposite of AA. The RR programs tries to counter what they call the "addictive voice," that tiny voice inside your head that says it’s OK to have another drink. It's a secular program for developing self-sufficiency in sobriety, so there are no official RR meetings.



If you’re looking for spirituality but still want to avoid AA, a lot of people have found a deeper understanding through Eastern philosophies like Buddhism. In fact, many people believe that the serenity prayer of AA reflects a Buddhist philosophy. The idea of focusing on what you can control and not letting the things you can't control bother you can be very helpful, and you don't have to be an AA follower to appreciate the wisdom of this saying.



In addition to these alternative programs, it is definitely possible to quit drinking without AA on your own. I know this because I’ve gone through it myself. I went to AA meetings for six months and really tried to work the program, but I just couldn’t do it while still being honest with myself. As time went by, I developed an understanding of sobriety that has helped me to remain solidly alcohol-free for over two and a half years without AA or any other sobriety program besides my own.



To achieve lasting sobriety on your own, I believe you need to realize a few important things. For example, you have to accept that you cannot have another drink. If you are still holding out hope that some day you can drink normally again, then you’re not ready to quit.



Acceptance is a huge part of my personal sobriety. The way I look at things, everyone is given a set of obstacles in life. For some, it’s a serious health problem, for some, it’s a difficult childhood, and for others, it’s losing a loved one too early. Alcoholism was one of the obstacles placed in my path, and it made my life very difficult for a number of years, but the whole experience has made me who I am today. That’s what I mean when I say acceptance.



To help those who want to quit drinking without AA, I wrote an ebook called Overcoming Alcoholism without AA. I present my experience and all of the ideas and realizations I had that allowed me to quit drinking without AA, and I hope the book can help others that want to quit drinking but can’t accept AA. You can learn more about the ebook by clicking the link to the ebook website below.



Thanks for reading and I wish you luck in sobriety. Life is to short to be wasted in a haze of alcohol and regrets.