I'm an alcoholic. How can I recover without going to AA?

Question

BESIDES just "STOP DRINKING". Recovering MEANS stop drinking.

Thanks a million, to those who've responded so quickly. It helps.

Answer 1

The operative word here is "support."

Without it, you'll have great difficulties.

Whether through AA or a different source, I'd recommend getting whatever works for you in place to help hold yourself accountable when times get tough and temptation arises.....because it will.

By the way...congratulations..the first thing to do in recovering from alcoholism is admiting to having a problem. You did it. Don't give up!

Answer 2

The first question is, why don't you want to use AA? If it's because you want to keep your alcoholism a secret and recover without anyone knowing there was a problem, forget it. That's an impossible dream. If you don't want to go to AA because you don't like the spiritual component, that is understandable. The reason AA works is not becuase there is a magical higher power that will cure your addiction. It is because you need to give up control to get control. That's a difficult concept to understand, so relying on a higher power is a way of doing that. There are other organizations, like Rational Recovery that are not spiritual. They are not widespread like AA. If you live in a major city, you can probably find an AA alternative, but otherwise that is probably your only option.

Answer 3

You must want it more than the drink . Avoid the activities in which you drank regularly and the people you drank regularly with -unless they can agree to stop drinking around you .
AA isn't the only way to solve your problem ; but I understand group support may be good for some people . If this is someone else's idea ( to quit ) and not your own-it won't work until you really commit and want it . Admitting you're an alcoholic is a big step . The most important thing when someone is trying to overcome an addiction , is to admit they have one . You are on the right track . God be with you in your success .

Answer 4

I am also an alcoholic who's been fortunate enough to remain sober for a few 24 hours now. Although I did use, and continue to use the 12 step program of AA I do know many others who have used different method of gaining sobriety. Some people use religion, some use family and some just have the will power to get and stay sober. There is no shame associated with being an alcoholic so please use whatever method will work for you. Best of luck in your recovery.

Answer 5

Good luck,without support it will be a long hard road.My advice is to try AA for awhile and see if works for you. I been sober 22 years.That where I started.I don`t go much anymore but in the beginning I went alot and learned how to deal with life on life terms.Also a higher power is the key.Read the promise on 83 and 84 in the big book.They do happen IF you work for them.Again good luck and god bless.

Answer 6

I would reccomend another source for recovery than AA. There are a lot of options out there. Go to AA only if you want to see the ugly side of collective group-think, game playing and power trips.

If you go to AA be prepared to put up with all kinds of dysfunctional people. If you are a person into power trips and like to push people around and manipulate them...AA is for you.

Answer 7

Going out to AA meeting isn't always easy, there are lots of online meetings.
You can search for any of the following;
friends of Bill W online meetings
friends of Bill W recovery
friends of Bill W
alcoholics anonymous
This site has alot of links and looks at things in a different sort of way SOBRIETY CENTRAL http://www.snjfobw.com
Sometimes it is easier to type than it is too talk. And that is one of the things that you probably need to do since you took the first step and posted here. I wish you the best of luck and remember you are important and you can turn your life any direction that you want. Remember do it for you and then for your family. I wish you the best of luck.

Answer 8

Its called self control. You choose to drink and you choose not to drink. You are stronger than a liquid in a bottle and if you don't want to be an alcoholic any longer then you don't have to be. You just have to "want" to quit (or simply control your drinking) and not just "need" to. Don't listen to those who say you are too weak to take control of your life. We all have free will to choose how we live our lives and you just have to decide what and who you want to be and do it. I've been both a drunk and a druggie at various times in my life and I stopped being both simply because that is not who I wanted to be anymore. Be strong and good luck.

Answer 9

They say that alcoholism is a symptom of a problem you are trying to ignore or hide. Figure out what alcohol helps you escape from, work on fixing it, and then you won't need alcohol as a crutch.
Can you say "What is Cold Turkey for 500, Alex?"

Answer 10

You may want to get some counseling. Some people who drink do so because they are trying to numb whatever pains they are feeling, mentally or physically. Some people drink so they don't have to deal with their problems or it can be a way of relieving stress. You need to get at the root of your problems and learn how to deal with them better. You owe yourself that much.