Not everybody drinks again or dies if they leave AA. Their only motive for saying that is to keep people in AA which is falling apart from what I’ve seen. Back to what you were saying, nobody can force you to keep going and nobody will chase after you either. I sometimes bump into people randomly who I’ve met in the rooms and they don’t seem upset that I don’t go anymore. My own counsellor from the early days of getting sober even said that she couldn’t see me wanting to stick around. Life is better without AA but I give credit where it’s Sober Home due, it did help me in the early days. I hope you make the right decision and do what’s best for yourself without being influenced by folk heavily indoctrinated by AA. You know, I am not perfect but I am not going to drink. I will go insane if I have to sit in any more aa meetings and listen to someone talk about “when I was drinking …” ok, that was 30+ years ago. Creepy 13th stepping sh$t, crazy abusive behaviors and aggressive, hostile gossip – I can’t handle it and it can take me several days to recover from some of their behavior.

Ruth says that’s another key differentiator for his program, which has “no stigmas” and focuses on “where they want to go and how we can assist them to get there.” Available throughout the country, AA meetings comfort people suffering fromalcohol use disorderby surrounding them with peers going through the same thing. Whether they are newly sober or have already been on the journey to sobriety for a long time, people dealing with addiction to alcohol can find AA helpful when it comes to staying on a sober path. Those who are more comfortable with a secular approach to addiction recovery may find the philosophy of SOS to be more helpful to them than 12-step programs. SOS has been helping people recover from addictive behavior toward drugs, alcohol and food for over 30 years.

What Is an AA Sponsor?

Therapy can help you tackle the root of your issues in a healthy way. If you can, avoid going to events where you know that drinking is going to be a big part. After all, people die from excessive alcohol consumption every day. Women For Sobriety is an all-women mutual support network intended to let women discuss the unique addiction challenges they face. Had I not been halfway around the world, in a different time zone and with spotty internet access, I definitely would have checked in with program friends. I definitely don’t want to be one of those people. I don’t want to drink, and so I take red flags and close calls seriously. Still, it’s decidedly weird to have taken a shot when you’re over eight years sober, especially after having been indoctrinated by AA. Instead, that night, I suffered through it until I felt completely sober again.

I wake up thinking about AA and go to bed thinking about it. Every thought or action is fueled by my ilness.. And I have accepted that Im powerless over a mindset which only wants to destroy me… but no more. We need a positive belief system rather than brainwashing guilt fueling propaganda that strips us of any self-empowerment & feeling of self-worth. All that matters is that it’s a group of individuals you feel comfortable enough sharing your struggles with and can relate to. Following an exercise program can help reduce stress and restore a sense of balance in your life. Addiction support groups, such as narcotics anonymous, can help you learn new coping skills, develop negative thinking patterns and remind you that you are not alone. You will also be required to participate in the group and talk about intimate and painful details of your life in front of strangers.

Why Have a Sponsor in AA?

I would really like to encourage people who think they have a drinking problem to seek help from resources where there is more accountability which seems to be 0 to none in AA. If AA has helped you to stay sober for a year and a half, than why do you want to leave it? Step one says that we “WERE” powerless over alcohol, and that I lives “HAD” become unmanageable. Before we came into AA, we could not control our drinking. AA gave us a way to regain that control through complete abstinence. Once we are no longer craving a drink, we are no longer powerless over alcohol because we have a choice of whether or not to pick up that next drink.

While there are certainly many theories as to why an Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor can be of great help, some may wonder if they are really necessary. Although choosing a sponsor is not mandatory, studies suggest that sponsors can increase the chances of success in recovery. 52% of people with a sponsor reported abstinence at one year, compared to less than 33% of people without a sponsor. People with sponsors at three months reported 21% more abstinent days during a 90-day period. Sponsors are people in recovery who offer mentorship to facilitate recovery. Native Americans as a whole struggle the most with AUD. For that reason, we want to offer people with this rich background a program that speaks to them. A Wellbriety program incorporates American Indian culture and spirituality into treatment.

SoberGrid

For this reason, straight individuals are encouraged to stick with sponsors from the same sex, while people who are gay find opposite-sex sponsors a better fit. Typically, the newcomer seeks out a person who seems compatible with their personality, sensibilities and passion for recovery. Once they identify this individual, the newcomer simply asks the person to become their sponsor. Rather than being bothered or annoyed by this request, many members aregrateful and humbledto be asked the question, as becoming a sponsor is something of an honor. Not all people will match with all sponsors, so some patience and flexibility is needed. Since AA is a faith-based program, it would work better for those who have a devotion to religion. People, like atheists, may not benefit from this program. The core of AA is using a higher power to overcome AUD. Alcohol.org needs to review the security of your connection before proceeding.

You may also need to change your route to work or home in order to avoid any triggers, or people, places, or things that make you want to use drugs or drink again. Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. My own company, Workit Health, has created our own recovery meeting format, called Workit Together. These meetings focus on personally defined self-care goals. We built out this option so we could include employees who weren’t in recovery from addiction to substances, but still might struggle with other issues. To be sober and happy, you can focus on your mental health, physical wellness, life goals, attend support groups, and find ways to help others. Going to a 12-Step program or other support group offers encouragement and support for your long-term recovery. Many treatment centers encourage you to find a support group that will work for you.

Sober Recovery

In sobriety, you are growing, which is often uncomfortable. It is common for people to feel like they need to replace one habit with another, like swapping out drinking for some other random thing to fill the space and time. Food, sex, cigarettes, gambling, and AA meetings are the most common habits I’ve seen as replacements for stay sober without aa problematic drinking. The real kicker is when one of my AA friends in a fit of anger told me that he didn’t understand why I get to stay sober because I don’t work a good program of AA. I kept feeling like I was the only one looking for the solution, and that was that life was good when you choose to change the your attitude!