Recovery without AA-Where do you get your support from?

Hey Everyone,

I’m just over 1 year into my sobriety at the moment. When I started out I had a a little bit of professional support (a psychiatrist and counsellor) and I’ve sorted drifted mostly into self-management now. I think I have some pretty good self-support and coping mechanisms built up.

Early on my psychiatrist strongly recommended AA meetings for me as a way to socialise with other people in recovery but I resisted because I wasn’t sure that the AA model was right for me. But the downside is that I’m quite cut off from people who are also in recovery, especially people who have been doing it long term.

I’ve used a lot of things, like reading books and articles and listening to podcasts around themes of mental health, addiction, substance abuse and recovery, talking to friends who are not sober as well. Exercise has been a huge thing for me too. I’ve started a few new hobbies and made huge changes in my life and my habits. These things are mostly solitary though.

I wonder what people’s experiences have been like in AA or in other support groups. Did you get something out of it? What worked or didn’t work for you?

What other sources of social support do you seek out? What kinds of self-support do you do?

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Hello and welcome :slight_smile: @mhalley I am nearly 1 year sober (6 days to go), my recovery started in a rehab who introduced me to aa, I don’t think I would have stayed sober without aa, even though in the beginning I wasn’t keen on going to aa it has changed my life because I have changed. Being biased I would suggest aa to anyone who wants to stay sober for the rest of their lives but that’s just me. I think aa gives you a whole new perspective on life, aa works if you work the 12 step programme, going to meetings alone isn’t enough. Aa helps remove yourself from isolation, isolation was a major problem for me and even now isolation has a tendancy to creep up on me and catch me unawares. Aa has taught me so much about my illness alcoholism and the great thing is that i will be always be learning. I think some people are perhaps afraid or whatever to give it a go and let go of their demons and egos. Either that or they don’t see themselves as an alcoholic. I think everyone needs a combination of things in recovery from support groups that are specific to addiction and outside activities, for me personally I find excercise really helpful, it relieves stress and stimulates happy hormones, I’d never tried it in my life before I got sober. Also anything that helps other people is great as it takes you away from yourself. Finding hobbies etc. I’v recently returned to work which a year ago I would never have even thought I’d be able to do, i’v put my career on hold for now (I’m a nurse) and am just doing a basic job, it’s helped loads with my self esteem and confidence being in the ‘real’ world. But without being sober I’d be doing none of these things. Peace :slight_smile:

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AA is the only thing that worked for getting me sober. I know it’s not for everyone, but I think it’s worth checking out. You may like it! The fellowship of AA is what I really enjoy. The people. Their stories. I love being surrounded by people who get, at a very basic level, a very basic part of me. They get it and they don’t judge me for it. They also keep me accountable and cheer me on. In addition to meetings, they host events (cookouts, parties, etc). My home group is throwing a Halloween party this month. :smile: There are also opportunities for service within AA.

Outside of AA, have you tried Meetup? You can join different Meetup groups based on your interests and get together with like-minded people. Just note that these are not sobriety-based, but it’s a great way to get out and be social. Obviously, you can pick events that have nothing to do with drinking.

I hope that helps!

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Before I was introduced to AA I tried many things on my own: exercised regularly, meds, psychologists, not drinking during the week, then only on saturday nights, only 3 drinKS at a time, changing from beer to vodka, swearing it off all together, reading self help books, etc. I’d have maybe a few days of sobriety but nothing substancial. AA offered me something i’d never found before…A real solution! A format (the 12 steps) that taught me how to let go of my past, change the way I thought about myself and about life. a guide and accountability partner (sponsor) to help me through it all, and a truckload of people (the fellowship)
to love, support me and who understood exactly what I was/am going through. In AA I have and continue to learn more and more about forgiveness of self and others, tolerance, patience and acceptance. Is it for everyone? Maybe not. For me, they have saved my life and I am forever grateful. God bless your journey how ever you choose to walk it🌹.

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Journal writing is a great self help tool also meditation. I’m in intensive outpatient therapy which I really enjoy as I now have many new sober friends who relate to my addictions and I found that friends in active addiction I had to let go because they are triggers and relapsing happens to the best of us, recently I have a friend who did after being a year clean and there is no willpower when it comes to addiction, of one truly want to stay clean they must have the drive to want life over a short high that’ll set you up for failure and all the hard work put into it. We are social creatures so my suggestion is look into some outpatient group’s in your area, there are people at all stages of recovery in those and you’ll learn invaluable tools plus maybe they have a program like mine to be a recovery coach if that’s something you’d like to do, next year I start my training for being one and I’m excited for it! I want to give back what has been given to me and help people stay clean and sober. God bless and I hope you find something where you fit in that makes you comfortable and stronger :muscle::two_hearts: in recovery! We are worth it one day at a time :v::laughing:

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I get my support from my girlfriend as she decided to stop with me, and of-course mommy dearest :slight_smile: including this forum.

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