Can someone share a recovery plan that does not include AA?
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Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 86
Can someone share a recovery plan that does not include AA?
Title basically says it all. I have tried AA in the past and somehow feel that it's not for me for many reasons. I am stuck in building a recovery plan that does not include it. Any suggestions are welcome. TIA.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,025
Hi Tia,
I am fairly new to recovery plans, but the one I am using this time around is a more structured version to something I did years ago to (successfully) quit drugs.
I basically split it in two areas:
1) Things to stop me from drinking now: an exercise routine, meditation, a schedule of things I need to achieve in a weekly basis, healthy eating, checking this forum daily, opening up to those who are close to me (wife, family, close friends)...
2) things to make me be the person I want to be: I have set myself goals they will take years to achieve if I work hard. If I don't they are just not achievable. They link to the schedule of activities I mentioned above, but if it all goes well I will have done things that will make me happy, proud and potentially allow me to change my life completely if I choose to do so.
I don't know what your triggers for drinking are, but maybe focus your initial an on dealing with those? Number 2 is a lot easier to do once you've been sober for a while, so an initial clean period seems to be a must.
Once again this is only my view.
I am not great with posting links as I am always on mobile, but I am sure someone will post one soon with a lot of useful information on building plans.
Hope this is helpful and good luck with your recovery.
P
I am fairly new to recovery plans, but the one I am using this time around is a more structured version to something I did years ago to (successfully) quit drugs.
I basically split it in two areas:
1) Things to stop me from drinking now: an exercise routine, meditation, a schedule of things I need to achieve in a weekly basis, healthy eating, checking this forum daily, opening up to those who are close to me (wife, family, close friends)...
2) things to make me be the person I want to be: I have set myself goals they will take years to achieve if I work hard. If I don't they are just not achievable. They link to the schedule of activities I mentioned above, but if it all goes well I will have done things that will make me happy, proud and potentially allow me to change my life completely if I choose to do so.
I don't know what your triggers for drinking are, but maybe focus your initial an on dealing with those? Number 2 is a lot easier to do once you've been sober for a while, so an initial clean period seems to be a must.
Once again this is only my view.
I am not great with posting links as I am always on mobile, but I am sure someone will post one soon with a lot of useful information on building plans.
Hope this is helpful and good luck with your recovery.
P
Do your best
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 67,047
These links are excellent
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...ery-plans.html
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...at-we-did.html
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...ery-plans.html
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...at-we-did.html
Administrator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dancing in the Light
Posts: 61,510
Take a look at the links SW posted for you. There are many people here with many different approaches to recovery. The main thing is to find something that works for you.
I have used books and SR for my recovery and it's worked well for me.
I have used books and SR for my recovery and it's worked well for me.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 8,614
There are different "kinds" of AA.
I don't go to AA, I tried and it was not effective. However I was lucky enough to find a meditation based AA group that was very helpful, and it was not very "AA"-ey. I also would really, really recommend the "12 Steps On Buddha's Path" as this is a different take on things. I impart this not to "sell" AA as I do not attend AA, but in the hopes that it will help a fellow addict and enrich their life. There is not a whole lot of other recovery methods save for SMART that I know of and this is why I have shared what I have.
I don't go to AA, I tried and it was not effective. However I was lucky enough to find a meditation based AA group that was very helpful, and it was not very "AA"-ey. I also would really, really recommend the "12 Steps On Buddha's Path" as this is a different take on things. I impart this not to "sell" AA as I do not attend AA, but in the hopes that it will help a fellow addict and enrich their life. There is not a whole lot of other recovery methods save for SMART that I know of and this is why I have shared what I have.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 86
Originally Posted by cwood3 
I'm just at 18 days. I am curious though, is the "spiritual" aspect of AA one of the reasons it's not for you?
Hang in there.
Hang in there.
quat
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: terra (mostly)firma
Posts: 4,823
I found Rational Recovery(RR) and AVRT resonated with me, there are some great threads on these ideas here on SR in the Secular Connections forum, have a look and see what you think, it may just be what you are looking for 
wish you well and hope to see you around
wish you well and hope to see you around
Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 6
Day 4 guy
I also find this helpful had to do court mandated A/A for some dui's several years back. Didn't find it useful for me, and tried many different ones in my area just getting my court card signed. Have never been particularly religious and the day counting to me just seems like a stressor. Also not meaning to put the program down it seems to have worked for a great many and that's awesome. I would just want to find something that was more suited to me as an individual. I had developed a daily bad habit that's for sure but constantly being reminded I'm an alcoholic is not for myself productive. I do believe a structured excersise program has helped in my past recovery efforts. Setting goals short and long term helped me as well. Stick with it. I do feel tons better waking up this morning clear headed and finally slept pretty well last night. The first three nights sucked. But from what I read and have experienced in past efforts it does get better quickly for me it then becomes a battle with overconfidence. Sorry to ramble. Lol just felt like typing a bit thanks for reading.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Wareham, Mass
Posts: 7,067
There are a couple of podcasts that I listen to that are helpful to my continuing sobriety. "Unpickled" is Canada- based and very informative, tho it tends to slant for a female audience. "The Recovery Revolution" is good too. I went to AA when I first got sober. It helped a lot at the time, but...
I had problems with the religious roots of the fellowship, and I found the Big Book very archaic and dated. Other things as well, but those were my two bigs. Ultimately, it wasn't for me.
I had problems with the religious roots of the fellowship, and I found the Big Book very archaic and dated. Other things as well, but those were my two bigs. Ultimately, it wasn't for me.
Catch 22
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: South Africa
Posts: 327
AA is also not for me. The god thing, the "sharing", the holding hands and serenity prayer etc. I really do not know what would work for me. At the moment I just white-knuckle and do not drink and to be honest, I hate it. I miss my friends, parties, talking nonsense and relaxing over a few drinks. It's tough.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 86
Originally Posted by Geo2d2
I also find this helpful had to do court mandated A/A for some dui's several years back. Didn't find it useful for me, and tried many different ones in my area just getting my court card signed. Have never been particularly religious and the day counting to me just seems like a stressor. Also not meaning to put the program down it seems to have worked for a great many and that's awesome. I would just want to find something that was more suited to me as an individual. I had developed a daily bad habit that's for sure but constantly being reminded I'm an alcoholic is not for myself productive. I do believe a structured excersise program has helped in my past recovery efforts. Setting goals short and long term helped me as well. Stick with it. I do feel tons better waking up this morning clear headed and finally slept pretty well last night. The first three nights sucked. But from what I read and have experienced in past efforts it does get better quickly for me it then becomes a battle with overconfidence. Sorry to ramble. Lol just felt like typing a bit thanks for reading.
quat
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: terra (mostly)firma
Posts: 4,823
To me the adjective 'alcoholic' means that something contains alcohol. I don't drink(anymore) , therefore I do not by definition contain alcohol, so I don''t apply that adjective to myself.
I no longer consume alcohol and plan on never again consuming it. I've ended my addiction to alcohol and believe that if I were to decide to consume alcohol in the future , that in effect I am deciding to start the addiction all over again, been there done that, so been there soo done that.
I don't need to know if this approach is right or not, I just know it works for me.
I no longer consume alcohol and plan on never again consuming it. I've ended my addiction to alcohol and believe that if I were to decide to consume alcohol in the future , that in effect I am deciding to start the addiction all over again, been there done that, so been there soo done that.
I don't need to know if this approach is right or not, I just know it works for me.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 86
Originally Posted by Darwinia
AA is also not for me. The god thing, the "sharing", the holding hands and serenity prayer etc. I really do not know what would work for me. At the moment I just white-knuckle and do not drink and to be honest, I hate it. I miss my friends, parties, talking nonsense and relaxing over a few drinks. It's tough.
Also, I upped my 401K contribution at work so that my booze budget is gone. Having extra spending money, a lot extra, makes it easier to just go out and buy it. When I know the money won't be there, it does stop me sometimes.
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Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Northeast USA
Posts: 1,021
I recommend working hard to change your perception about alcohol use, especially the idea that it provides benefits of some sort. If you understand that alcohol provides few, if any any benefits, you probably won't miss drinking and you won't spend your sober days fighting psychological cravings.
To achieve that goal, there are two books I can recommend: Jason Vale's book Kick the Drink Easily was mentioned above; however, I've read both, and I prefer Allen Carr's book Stop Drinking Now. Both are very similar in there approach; however, Carr's book is more succinct and better written IMO.
I also highly recommend looking into Buddhist principles and philosophy, as it can help a person to understand that our desires and cravings are often based on illusions and false perceptions.
Mindful meditation also is a part of Buddhist practice, and I've found it really helps me to keep my emotions and perceptions in check.
BTW, you don't have to be a Buddhist or believe in the spiritual aspects of Buddhism to benefit from Buddhist practices and philosophy.
There is much information available on non-12 Step recovery techniques and methods. Use the search feature here, as there is a wealth of information that you won't find elsewhere.
To achieve that goal, there are two books I can recommend: Jason Vale's book Kick the Drink Easily was mentioned above; however, I've read both, and I prefer Allen Carr's book Stop Drinking Now. Both are very similar in there approach; however, Carr's book is more succinct and better written IMO.
I also highly recommend looking into Buddhist principles and philosophy, as it can help a person to understand that our desires and cravings are often based on illusions and false perceptions.
Mindful meditation also is a part of Buddhist practice, and I've found it really helps me to keep my emotions and perceptions in check.
BTW, you don't have to be a Buddhist or believe in the spiritual aspects of Buddhism to benefit from Buddhist practices and philosophy.
There is much information available on non-12 Step recovery techniques and methods. Use the search feature here, as there is a wealth of information that you won't find elsewhere.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Down Under
Posts: 400
AA didn't do much for me either, used to head to the pub after an AA meeting but it works for so many other people.
Apart from the spiritual thing, AA is about mixing and sharing ideas with your 'own kind' on how to quit drinking .... MMMMmmmm ... a bit like SR
SR is part of my plan, as much as I can I'll be here.
Apart from the spiritual thing, AA is about mixing and sharing ideas with your 'own kind' on how to quit drinking .... MMMMmmmm ... a bit like SR
SR is part of my plan, as much as I can I'll be here.
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