Has anyone done it without AA meetings
AA member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 872
I stayed sober on my own for over 3 years,no AA,then drank again.
Since going to AA in 2003,I have not had a drink.For me the 12step programme is essential.I am an Alcoholic though,not just somebody who drank to much.
Since going to AA in 2003,I have not had a drink.For me the 12step programme is essential.I am an Alcoholic though,not just somebody who drank to much.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Baton Rouge, La.
Posts: 15,234
I never wanted to do recovery by
myself and needed to have support
and fellowship all in one place. Under
one roof with others just like me,
listening, learning, absorbing and
applying an effective program of
recovery in our daily lives.
To let AA go would have meant
me taking back my own will where
doing things my way, esp. trying to
quit alcohol, my addiction to it by
myself which never ever worked.
To me, knowing I never have to
figure out things on my own or
by myself is comforting.
AA, for me, has worked and continues
to work, each and everyday I work it.
It's a gift and blessing that gives me a
purpose and meaning in life.
myself and needed to have support
and fellowship all in one place. Under
one roof with others just like me,
listening, learning, absorbing and
applying an effective program of
recovery in our daily lives.
To let AA go would have meant
me taking back my own will where
doing things my way, esp. trying to
quit alcohol, my addiction to it by
myself which never ever worked.
To me, knowing I never have to
figure out things on my own or
by myself is comforting.
AA, for me, has worked and continues
to work, each and everyday I work it.
It's a gift and blessing that gives me a
purpose and meaning in life.
Guest
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 8,674
Originally Posted by Anna 
I haven't used AA.
I think the more important thing is your motivation, because you must be motivated in order to make any plan/program work for you.
I think the more important thing is your motivation, because you must be motivated in order to make any plan/program work for you.
That said, I want to respond to your question: nope, it is not the only way as others have said, and people "just" use SR (rather than it being an add'l tool as I use it), or AVRT or CBT or such. And JUST my $0.02, but I think trying to follow the steps on my own would have been tough, and cheated me out of the actual process of the program; for non-AAers, I would think it is a supporting text, so to speak, like recovery literature, the Bible, etc.
More importantly, though, I want to echo Anna's second comment: your motivation to be sober, completely and permanently, is critical, AND IME and IMO (and having watched people who use various methods), an ACTIVE program of your choosing, is absolutely crucial.
For me, living sober is an entire way of life. How I think, how I handle problems, the peace and joy I find in REAL life....it's all active participation not passive ingestion of anything.
You can get sober however you choose (key word) - some of us find one way "better" for us (read, more successful, easier to follow, or such) than another and IMO sticking with what works is your best choice.
Hope to see you around here!
Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 24
Originally Posted by Mummyto2
Thanks if AA was an option I would be there in a flash but it isn't, so have to grab all the other help I can get and find etc 
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: France
Posts: 3,040
Doctor always suggests therapy, its not for me, I have no childhood issues or dark underlying issues, I am an alcoholic and therapy I KNOW doesn't help me, but this site has been great and listening to AA online meetings etc has helped a lot THANKS
Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 24
Originally Posted by Mummyto2
Doctor always suggests therapy, its not for me, I have no childhood issues or dark underlying issues, I am an alcoholic and therapy I KNOW doesn't help me, but this site has been great and listening to AA online meetings etc has helped a lot THANKS
Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,476
SR, therapy and total commitment is what is working for me today. I have been to AA several times in the past, read the BB and worked the steps as well but I really wasn't ready to stop drinking at the time so nothing would have worked until I was ready to surrender.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 132
I'm so early in my recovery, I'm using all the tools I can get my hands on.
I didn't think I needed AA or going to meetings, until I went.
AA makes sense to me. Working the 12 steps seems like a fine way to change my life AND stay sober in the process.
I also think there are lots of other avenues for us alcoholics and addicts to utilize to find help in Recovery.
I started with SR, now I also go to AA meetings and have started working with a sponsor. I have also started journaling, formed a better and richer relationship with God and am thinking of yoga at some point. Both for exercise and for my head
I plan on utilizing every tool I can to keep me sober.
I say whatever keeps you sober and helps and works for YOU, is what you should do.
You're doing a great job, Mummy
I didn't think I needed AA or going to meetings, until I went.
AA makes sense to me. Working the 12 steps seems like a fine way to change my life AND stay sober in the process.
I also think there are lots of other avenues for us alcoholics and addicts to utilize to find help in Recovery.
I started with SR, now I also go to AA meetings and have started working with a sponsor. I have also started journaling, formed a better and richer relationship with God and am thinking of yoga at some point. Both for exercise and for my head
I plan on utilizing every tool I can to keep me sober.
I say whatever keeps you sober and helps and works for YOU, is what you should do.
You're doing a great job, Mummy
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: France
Posts: 3,040
Thanks, ive been brought up in the church and believe in God so that's never been a problem for me, but ready to do this any way I can, even when AV starts to say its ok etc which I am waiting for it to get stronger as it will, but I am ready to say to it, I dont want to drink ever again WHY THE HELL would I, nothing but a pain in the backside
voices ca**y
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: St. Paul Minnesota
Posts: 4,352
I've only used this site. I did use it about 3 hours every night for close to 2 years tho. I made some connections and felt accountable to the people on here. I did go to one meeting when I was a year sober because my mind was trying to convince me: Your not THAT bad. It's not like you had to go to treatment or AA. Well, I can't say I didn't have to go to AA anymore. I've been helped by people in AA and people who haven't gone.
Behold the power of NO
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: WA
Posts: 7,764
A lot of people on this board have quit without AA including dome with SR as a sole support. Dee74 who is one of the main mods on SR has double digit sobriety and never went to AA.
I started with AA but these days I use a mindfulness and Buddhist based approach to recovery.
The key is like Anna said to be committed and like Silentrun hinted at to be flexible and remain teachable.
You can do it
Check out the secular connections
Secular Connections - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information
I started with AA but these days I use a mindfulness and Buddhist based approach to recovery.
The key is like Anna said to be committed and like Silentrun hinted at to be flexible and remain teachable.
You can do it
Check out the secular connections
Secular Connections - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information
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