Do you think it’s possible to stay sober without AA?

Recovery
#22

I have yet to read the comments, I like to-before responding.

I do not go to AA on a regular basis and I have over a year and a half of sobriety.

I have nothing against AA.
I have simply found other tools which are more helpful to and for me.

AA meetings - the ones I have been to…lack diversity.
Primarily white Christians.

Nothing against white Christians-while in August of 2023-there are thankfully many options which exist to help one get…and remain sober.

Please do what you find to be most beneficial for you, support-wise/ stating the obvious, I realize!
All the best to you!

2 Likes
#23

It is, was refreshing to read about the different experiences relayed.

There are a lot of options now.
I mean…that is “ nice “ if AA has worked out for a number of people…while it is pretty inaccurate ( not to mention annoying ) when some people act as if AA is the “ only “ way.
How is your day going, Megan?

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#24

AA is not for everyone. But I will say it was the only thing that worked for me and I tried it all. You will only really know if it works by doing it all the way. It’s the faith aspect. That’s what did it for me. Finally putting my ego to rest and trusting the process.

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#25

I go to my my home group every week, never miss. The rest of the days are my choice

#26

Do what they did and get what they got.

#27

Anything is possible.

#28

I’ve tried lots of different things.. even becoming a yoga teacher. AA is what works for me. I need to get down to my causes and conditions and have a design for living that has depth and weight. I also need support. My disease wants me alone, thinking so it can talk me into a drink and eventually kill me.

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#29

AA doesn’t claim to be the only way. But I had to get involved in some activities and meet people who I could get to know through speaker meetings. I’ve been kinda isolating myself after a breakup with someone in the program and I know it’s not healthy nor was the relationship. But isolating or just going to meetings isn’t enough for me. Time to get uncomfortable to get comfortable.

#30

i totally get that. thx for sharing as always taylor !!!

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#31

It has worked for 104 days…. could be your disease telling you that you don’t need meetings anymore……

#32

Recovery is about reflection, character defects, sober networking.

In the past i didn't like twelve step meeting. But the number one killer of sobriety is boredom.

There are people who have and will stay clean. There is no correct answer. Twelve step groups have higher success rates.

Try going to different meetings. It took me months to find the ones i liked.

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#33

I have 2 years 5 months sober. I do not go to AA. I did for the first 90 days. However, my experience was that the meetings were super depressing. I stay very active. Go to the gym and spend time with friends and family. The key for me was re-training my mindset. And developing solid reliable coping skills.

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#34

I am not a huge fan of AA……that said, I go to the same meeting every week. Think it’s all about the individuals and format. The meeting I go, we try to be non traditional about it all. We do what is necessary in our dialogue to help others stay sober. We use the little red book as a reference to start, then the conversation goes where it goes. AA is incredibly outa date in my opinion, but does have a good baseline, I’ll say that. I agree with some things in this thread, to me, it is mainly wherever and however you find support and continue the ultimate sober goal. That’s what’s important to me. Thank you for bringing this topic up.

#35

I go to inner city meetings here in Cleveland every week, and they also lack diversity, I'm the only white person usually (unchristian though, by the grace of god). The message is the same as far as I can tell.

#36

Sometimes it's a case of the wrong group, sometimes it's a case of the wrong organization, and sometimes it's a case of them just not being a good fit. Everyone's recovery is different.

#37

Totally possible, in my opinion. But it’s worth nothing that it seems like most people who successfully remain sober are part of some kind of recovery group- maybe not AA, but there are other options (SMART recovery, refuge recovery, etc). Personally I’m also a big fan of the therapy/yoga/meditation combo :metal:t3:

#39

8 years sober after rehab, but I have had a huge support structure and went to rehab. Do what works best for you, just don't pickup

#40

Hi, Taylor-thank you for sharing what you did ( just now seeing, reading )…yes.
I hear you regarding the message being the same.
Hope that your week has been going well, Taylor!

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#41

Thank you Sarim! You as welll!

#42

My best friend is over 6 years sober and he did it all without the program. I myself I’m 5 years 5 months and I did the AA thing for the first year. I just didn’t feel comfortable listening to everyone’s stories and myself having to share mine. I have found other tools in my life to keep me sober. I guess everyone is different