Alcohol Recovery Without 12 Steps Community Group

This group was created to explore various recovery paths for Alcoholism. We generally chose to explore paths outside of the AA model, or ones which incorporate, but are not limited to AA. Anyone wanting to learn and explore how to become free from alcohol addiction are welcome. Our main goal is to support each other with compassion and decency, while remaining open minded...

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/ Alcohol Recovery Without 12 Steps Support Group

hey new to the group

danusa14
danusa14
Hey,
I'm new to the group. I'm Dan. Just wanted to introduce myself. I am an ex AAer. and all I'm gonna say about that is I'm super confused, but here I am. I find hope in talking to others that have recovered successfully, so that's what I'm looking for. It's been almost 8 months since my last drink, but I feel like today is day one, since I just left AA.

Dan
Community LeaderExJerseyGirl2
ExJerseyGirl2
Hey Dan,

Welcome!

I was never a part of AA so being sober without it feels just fine to me. So I know it can be done! :-)

What are you confused about? How do you feel about your sobriety? Is it strange to know that you've decided to stop using AA as a support system?

You are 8 months -- that is great! For me at about 8 months I hit a turning point where I realized I had changed from being a drinker who quit to a non drinker. My comfort level in my sobriety and in my skin increased. Some people talk about "normies" or normal people. I started to feel perfectly normal. I am not abnormal because I don't and can't drink -- it is just who I am.

So what's it like for you? What are you going through?

BTW -- this is a great group, very supportive people here.
Mandoman
Mandoman
Congrats on the 8 months and welcome to the group. Former AAer my self. Tried it many times for many many years and it just didn't work. Went through rehab 3 1/2 years ago, second time, and told them up front that I wasn't going to use AA. It's kind of slow here right now but there are a lot of posts to look at and lot's of good info.
danusa14
danusa14
Hey,

Yea, well I'm still confused on whether or not I need AA. I also miss some of my friends from there.

I'm struggling with thinking a lot and not really sure what to do. I haven't left my house actually since Monday, so I'm going to do that today. I think that would be a good thing. Everything is just very different, and I feel like I don't have any direction at this point.....my mind is going a million miles an hour thinking about everything from, AA, to politics, to money, to old friends, to school, to sex....you name it, I'm thinkin it. Anyways, thanks for the response. Talk to you soon.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi Dan-I left aa at six months, and was very afraid. I was afraid because I was told left and right that I would relapse. I did not, and I just celebrated five years. I did not leave out of anger though-and I think it is important to really consider what is best for you, not in response to others.

On a side note-you say your mind is racing. Do you just feel anxious or perhaps there are some mental health issues you are dealing with? I have not a clue of course-but thought I would throw it out there. Because AA certainly cannot fully address someone who has bipolar, severe depression, etc. Need a professional to address it as well imo.