Has anyone afflicted with alcoholism successfully recuperated...?

Question

without going to AA or Rehab? Or there alternate resources perhaps on-line? Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Over 95% of all US rehabs are based on the 12 Steps of AA, so there's not much difference, except that you pay huge amounts of money to keep you away from the people and places associated with drinking. Getting though those first 30 days is a huge step.

I bounced in and out of AA and rehabs for 20 years, never piecing together more that a few months of sobriety at a time.

In 2001, I quit trying to use a program that obviously did not work for me, took responsibility for my addiction and for my recovery and have been sober since.

I did get involved with online support:
SOS:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/sossaveourselves/
Without AA:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/without_aa/

SOS:
http://www.sossobriety.org/
SMART:
http://www.smartrecovery.org/
Women for Sobriety:
http://www.womenforsobriety.org/

Read all you can, make up your own mind about how to approach it; ultimately it's all up to you.

Effectiveness of 12step programs:
http://www.orange-papers.org/orange-effectiveness.html

Answer 2

There are many alternatives--looks like someone else has given you the links. Go check 'em out if you want.

For the most part, they have one thing in common. They all "bash" AA, tell you it doesn't work, that it's a cult, that you'll be brainwashed, etc. But you've got to ask yourself: how is bashing AA going to help you get sober? The answer is: it won't.

I am here to tell you that AA DOES work . . . it may not be for everyone, but it certainly does work. I've been sober for many years now after being a hopeless drunk for most of my life.

Rehab can be helpful, if you can afford it.

If your reluctance to go to rehab or to AA is that someone else might find out about it, think about this: everyone else is there for the same reason. And . . . although you probably don't think so, your problem is probably obvious to everyone, so you're not likely to "shock" anyone by admitting you have a problem!

Answer 3

Alcoholism doesnt go away, you have to stop drinking alcohol period or else it will come right back.

http://www.bingetoblackout.com/

this is the story of a guy who drank through college high school and ended up in rehab. He was fine after that and then took a drink and boom he ended up drinking all night long and couldnt stop. He said being free of alcohol is a great relief for him and his mother. (i met them) He doesnt want people to have alcohol have a huge impact on their life like it did on him. This book will teach you if you choose to buy it, he has successfully rid himself of alcohol but he cant drink it again. Is that recupperation, i dont think you can.

Answer 4

I heard that Robin Williams went to rehabilitation for alchoholism and recovered fine!