Dont Like AA? 6 Community Alternatives to 12 Steps Groups

These programs offer various approaches to recovery, from science-based methods to secular and gender-specific support systems. MM believes that early intervention is key, and through their Steps of Change 7-step program, members must continually reflect on their relationship with alcohol. Completing the program includes 30 days of self-monitoring your drinking via a personal journal while noticing trigger patterns or repeated negative behaviors. This is preceded by 30 days of drinking abstinence, where each member must continue monitoring their feelings.

Offers Support Through In-Person Meetings and Online Resources

It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers. Like some other groups supporting those who abusealcohol,Moderation Managementtakes a harm reduction approach to recovery. It is directed at non-dependent problem drinkers that do not want to stop drinking but want to reduce their alcohol use.

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Inevitably there will be some significant experience or unresolved issue that reminds us that we used to rely on alcohol as a solution to that old problem. These powerful triggers can re-emerge at any time, and cause us to relapse and alternatives to alcoholics anonymous aa: including both quitting and moderating drinking start drinking again. Over the years, there has been a lot of scrutiny into the alternatives to AA, because there has been seen to be a need to fill the gaps.

The HAMS Approach

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is “a fellowship of people who come together to solve their drinking problem.” It’s free and open to anyone. Community members bring a wealth of knowledge and personal experience that can be incredibly beneficial. From sharing what has worked (and what hasn’t) to providing tips on handling specific situations like social gatherings or stressors, the collective wisdom of the group can be a rich resource. For more information about Women for Sobriety and to explore joining a group or accessing online resources, visit WomenForSobriety.org. To learn more about LifeRing Secular Recovery and to find a meeting near you or join an online group, visit LifeRing.org. When searching for a therapist, it’s a good idea to look for one who specializes in AUD or addiction.

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One of the strengths of Moderation Management is its adaptability to individual needs. The program acknowledges that each person’s relationship with alcohol is unique and thus, allows for personalized strategies rather than a one-size-fits-all solution. Moderation Management challenges the traditional view that all problem drinkers must fully abstain from alcohol. MM is built on the belief that with the right support and tools, some individuals can learn to drink moderately and lead a balanced, healthy life.

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Common medications include Disulfiram, which causes unpleasant reactions if alcohol is consumed, Naltrexone, which blocks alcohol’s euphoric effects, and Acamprosate, which stabilizes brain chemistry. For severe withdrawal, inpatient detox programs provide 24/7 medical monitoring to manage symptoms safely. Seeking professional treatment improves recovery success and reduces relapse risks. Whether you’re struggling with daily drinking, experiencing negative health effects, or simply questioning your relationship with alcohol, taking the first step toward sobriety is crucial. Alcohol dependence affects millions of people, leading to physical, emotional, and social consequences.

Emphasizes Meditation, Mindfulness, and Ethical Living

However, if you are diagnosed with AUD or suffer from alcohol dependence, MM may not be for you. By providing practical and actionable steps, LifeRing believes that each individual has the power to take control over their drinking and provide themselves with a life they are proud of. Because support is a necessity during recovery, finding a support group where you feel welcome and encouraged is vital. When choosing between support groups, it is important that whichever you pick follows the key pillars of addiction treatment. When it comes to managing drinking habits, Moderation Management (MM) is a key player.

• While not for everyone, the Sinclair Method, developed by Dr. John D. Sinclair, is an evidence-based treatment that uses medication that can help curb cravings.
• Refuge Recovery views addiction as a form of craving and attachment that can be overcome through the cultivation of mindfulness and the development of a strong ethical foundation.
• SOS describes itself as empowering the individual to find their own tools to maintain their recovery.
• Measuring progress and staying motivated while quitting alcohol involves tracking milestones, setting clear goals, and rewarding achievements.

These practices can help manage stress, improve emotional regulation, and support mental clarity. Smartphone apps like Headspace or Insight Timer offer guided meditation options. Trimpey later decided that support groups were an addiction in and of themselves and disbanded the RR support groups, many of which become SMART Recovery groups. HAMS recommends Trimpey’s The Small Book (Rational Recovery Systems) as having many useful tips for people doing abstinence–whether long term or short term.

Anderson holds a master’s degree in mental health and substance abuse counseling from the New School for Social Research in New York City and has worked in the field of harm reduction since 2002. But the longer term goal is to train our brain into new thought patterns, and this takes more time. The path to re-wiring the brain is a literal minefield of triggers and unresolved issues.

• Their services are designed to provide emotional and psychological support that fortifies the recovery process.
• It also doesn’t make it okay to invalidate or minimize others’ experiences with alcohol use disorder or their treatments of choice.
• If you can’t avoid them, substitute alcohol with non-alcoholic drinks or alternative activities.
• By offering an alternative to traditional abstinence-based approaches, Moderation Management provides individuals with a choice and a path towards regaining control over their alcohol consumption.
• These practices can help manage stress, improve emotional regulation, and support mental clarity.

Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS) is an additional AA alternative that focuses on a secular approach to recovery. Unlike the AA alternatives that came before, SOS is not a specific organization but instead a collection of individual organizations or programs to utilize. Fortunately, they have resources like their guide for the “First 30 Days” of recovery and pamphlets to pass on to friends and family as you go through this new part of your life. The realm of addiction recovery support is as diverse as it gets, with various programs designed for different needs. Among these, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), a program known for its 12-step approach, has been at the forefront.