I am almost 6 months sober, but have been doing it alone. I know it’s important to have a support system, and I have tried AA meetings, and group therapy, but it’s just not for me. I just try and stay as busy as possible and have been strong willed enough to stay away from a drink, but I know that’s not a permanent solution. Does anyone have any other ways of handling their recovery that they could suggest for long term recovery?
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I hear what you say about AA not being for you. I apologize in advance for suggesting you try it again. I just don’t know of any other program that works for long term sobriety. I know it has worked for millions of people. What exactly didn’t you like? I struggled with all the God talk and steps, but I found a great sponsor and group of friends that have helped me navigate my issues. Also, I found mens meeting very helpful. If you do try it again. I suggest you try some women’s meetings. Hope someone else has a better idea for you. Wish I had a different suggestion for you. Either way, I do wish you find what you are searching for 
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Hi Hayley! I created my own program when I got sober 3 years ago. I still do my own program, which now includes meetings through The Luckiest Club. I read a lot of quit lit early on to figure out what other people were doing to stay sober, and still do many of the same practices now. I do have to say that finding a community (for me it was The Luckiest Club), has been a huge help. Some of my favorite books are Quit Like a Woman (has a huge sections for building a toolbox), We Are the Luckiest, and Girl Walks out of a Bar. I also listen to a bunch of sobriety podcasts, some of my favorites are Tell Me Something True, Seltzer Squad, Recovery Rocks, and Rehab Confidential. Some alternative programs to AA are SMART Recovery, Recovery Dharma, and Women for Sobriety.
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Thank you so much! This is very helpful. I listen to a lot of podcasts and try and read books about recovery which I find helpful, so I will check out some of these. I am not familiar with the luckiest club.. I will look into this also. Maybe I will try another AA meeting, but maybe a female only group.. I’m not religious so I struggle with the “god talk” but I would love to find a sponsor to help keep me on track.. I appreciate everyone’s suggestions!
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Do you work out are you involve in any activities martial arts crass fit or any ripe of activity that you can set a goals? What helped me I joined a gym the money I would use to buy alcohol or drugs I used it to pay my membership and buy supplements. I did nit set a goal I just said I’m getting as big ass possible. After seeing my results i did not want lose or messing up my hard work.Next thing you know I got invited to compete in power lifting events. And I’ve placed 1st place in every event.I’ve competed. And that’s what helped me stay sober for 17 years
Stay busy get involved in activities hobbies any thing that involves you staying healthy and fit make friends set goals
I found Annie Grace's book (she also has YouTube videos), Jason vales book, kick the drink, and William porter's book helpful. They help to change the way you see drinking and why you do it. There's also refuge recovery meetings, they are a meditation based group. I'm not an AA person either, and I've found RR helpful. They have online and in person meetings, just look them up online.
Hey girl, your story sounds a lot like mine. Hang in there. I’m doing this alone too!
Had a feeling it was the “god talk”. I’m not religious either so I struggled with it too. It’s a spiritual journey to me. Try a few different ones, and definitely hit some women’s only ones. There is something very powerful about the fellowship. Can’t really explain it, but it feels so good to be with people that feel you…that know you. It’s a bond that our souls need. Either way, I love some of Jenn’s suggestions too! They sound like great readings for the women in recovery. Take everything you want from all the suggestions, and leave behind what doesn’t fit you.
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Almost everyone that is successful through AA has said in the beginning “yeah AA just isn’t for me”. (that I’ve heard from. That was me.) Do what you want I’m just trying to save you some time (and pain). Do yourself a favor and commit to giving it some time. Try different meetings in different places until you find what you like. I don’t get any money for recruiting you. I just want to help folks find what I’ve found.
Addiction is patient. It will wait for you to try it on your own for a while, before it jumps you.
Try reading the naked mind by annie grace. Counseling and a good church too.
I went to IOP meeting for 3 months it really helped me but you got this 6 months is long time keep it up
6 mths congratulations that’s the hardest part AA is not for everyone I would reach out to all groups church’s have a lot of different life groups you don’t need to talk about your addiction always but it’s good to communicate with others and learn to build relationships with people remember not every group is for you but there are ones and people for u the hard part can be finding the right people.
New Sober friends, pick up a hobby or 2, extra walks/runs, focus on one day at a time.
SMART recovery uses CBT techniques. And they have meetings and chats. Also there’s a good book called ‘Rational Recovery’
Read Alcohol Explained. This Naked Mind. They are very good easily readable books. They help cement and convince you that you have made the right decision. There are also websites by the same name.
I don’t know if it’s already been mentioned, but I benefited from having a recovery Coach and therapist (separately).
I’m not religious. AA works for me. A power greater than myself literally just means more than me. A group is more than an individual. The group helped me get sober when I couldn’t do it individually.
That being said, whatever works is the best program for you. Try them all until you find something that fits.
I'm not religious either. I try to think good orderly direction when God is brought up. I also didn't like the group meetings. But am apart of a small continue care group that works for me. As long as we have a good action plan for when the cravings hit. And a good sober environment I think we can make progress. I still believe step work is good for us also. We just got to find out what works for us and continue to move forward with our recovery. It's a life long process 