A-listers you didn’t know quit drinking as Hollywood goes sober

Some definitions of sobriety call for complete lifelong abstinence while others focus on developing coping mechanisms that can reduce harm with the understanding that setbacks are common. Other definitions, however, often focus on the process of recovery and developing coping mechanisms and habits that support health and wellness over the long term. Total abstinence may be the goal, but the reality is that setbacks are common. If you’re in recovery from a substance use disorder, you already know how much work it took to achieve sobriety, and you’ll want to do everything possible to avoid having a relapse.

What Is Sobriety?

Other side effects may include headaches, nausea, vomiting, constipation, insomnia, pain, increased sweating, sleepiness, dizziness, coordination problems, physical dependence or abuse, and liver problems. For more information about Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) see Suboxone.com, the full Prescribing Information, and Medication Guide, or talk to your healthcare provider. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of drugs getting sober without aa to the FDA. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health, which sometimes includes substance use disorders. Because they are able to prescribe medication, psychiatrists can be particularly helpful if you believe you have underlying anxiety or depression you are managing with alcohol. All too often, alcohol takes up a major part of our leisure time, and can replace other healthy ways to unwind or socialize.

Oar Health Member Stories: Cutting Back on Alcohol

So, it’s extra helpful to have a support network available to you when you need it. It may help to pick a quit date, or a day when you choose to discontinue use of alcohol or drugs. It’s also helpful to change your environment—for instance, avoid going to bars.

• We’re not against AA, but we realized we needed to know how to manage the other 23 hours of the day.
• For those struggling with drug or alcohol abuse, AA and its sister groups are some of the most popular programs for getting sober.
• This empowers you to stay focused on your sobriety journey.
• Refuge Recovery is a Buddhist path to addiction recovery, spearheaded by Buddhist teacher Noah Levine as an alternative to 12-Step programs.

FAQ: Alternatives to AA and 12-step programs

• There is no one-size-fits-all approach to sobriety, and that needs to be said.
• After setting himself a six-month sober target, he soon realised he was the ‘happiest I’ve ever been in my life’.
• Embrace the power within you to break free from alcohol’s hold and create a brighter future for yourself.
• Group participants share understanding, advice, and encouragement.
• Different support groups exist to help you quit drinking without AA, some with a more secular approach.
• It also covers tips on how to deal with the challenges you’ll face on your journey to sobriety.

AA isn’t explicitly religious, but it did grow out of a Christian organization called The Oxford Group. There is no tried-and-true way to determine whether moderation works for you. In other words, try moderation for a short time and see how it goes. A 2014 study showed that “baseline motivation and self-efficacy” are key predictors of moderation success (5). In other words, those who are motivated and believe they can successfully moderate their drinking tend to have the best results.

Get Help With Alcohol Addiction

• 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.
• Drinking alcohol can create problems in every area of life, including your physical health, mental health, social life, work-life, and overall wellbeing.
• Residential treatment can last days, and gives you a chance for a full reset.
• Some aren’t comfortable with surrendering control to a higher power, or declaring themselves “powerless” over alcohol.
• Getting sober is a remarkable achievement that can improve your life.

Your sobriety is your own, and how you do it is entirely up to you. The fundamental belief of Alcoholics Anonymous, which is that we shouldn’t drink alcohol 100% of the time, works. I also think that, if possible, it is a great idea to make amends with the people and things that make you feel regret. We do not receive any compensation or commission for referrals to other treatment facilities. The helpline at RehabAdviser.com is available 24/7 to discuss the treatment needs of yourself or a loved one. This helpline is answered by Ark Behavioral Health, an addiction treatment provider with treatment facilities in Massachusetts and Ohio.

It’s a science-backed approach to treatment, and an empowering, modern way to quit drinking without AA. Some people may find that wearable devices and smartphone apps can support their recovery from alcohol use disorder. Biosensors monitor physical changes, detect alcohol use, and identify relapse risk.

Studies suggest digital health options can improve access to care for some of the 15 million people experiencing alcohol use disorder each year. There are common setbacks to getting and staying sober like withdrawal, craving, and pressure to use. Relapse rates for substance use addictions are around 40% to 60%. Setbacks don’t erase progress, though, and they don’t mean you’ve “failed” to stay sober. Remaining sober over time is about much more than willpower. Moderation Management (MM) is very different than many other recovery and support groups in that it doesn’t require complete abstinence to be a member.

Check out why person in long-term recovery and counselor, Chrissy Taylor, encourages exercise in early sobriety. Exercise will get your endorphins pumping, reduce cravings, and make you feel better. Loosid can be a primary support group if you’ve already completed an addiction recovery program or if you don’t struggle with clinical addiction but want to change your drinking habits. HAMS is a peer-led group that provides support and information to those who want to change their drinking habits. It’s an AA alternative that involves 17 steps instead of 12, and supports moderate drinking and harm reduction in addition to full sobriety.

If you are tapering off alcohol or pursuing moderation, it helps to give yourself objective data. Use a drink-tracking app, a notebook, or a breathalyzer to record how much you are actually drinking every day. This will keep you honest with yourself and your support system, and help you stick to your goals. Listen to one woman’s story of how Alcoholics Anonymous gave her hope and helped her to live without drinking. Taking a month or 100 days sober is a good place to start.