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Top 7 Best Alcoholics Anonymous Alternatives List

Kathryn Patricelli, MA Updated: Jul 8th 2008

In several blog posts over the past two years, we have examined Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and a lively discussion has followed those posts. AA is a group that many have very strong feelings about - both positive and negative. For some, AA has truly been a life-saver and allowed them to manage their addictions, while for others, the experience has not been as positive. Based on that feedback, we wanted to take a moment and provide information on the top 7 alternatives that we've found on the internet for addiction support. We hope these will be helpful to those out there that are looking for a new (or additional) support group solution to managing addictive behaviors.

AA Alternatives Listed in alphabetical order, they are:

LifeRing Secular Recovery LifeRing is a network of support groups for people who want to be free of alcohol and addictive drugs. They are a group for people who have learned through experience that the only solution that works is to abstain completely. They see the power to get clean and sober inside each person. Through the positive reinforcement of the group process, that power becomes dominant in each person and enables them to lead clean and sober lives. The website provides information about the group, including frequently asked questions, publications, an online forum area for support, and links to local meetings.

Moderation Management Moderation Management (MM) is a behavioral change program and national support group network for people concerned about their drinking and who desire to make positive lifestyle changes. MM empowers individuals to accept personal responsibility for choosing and maintaining their own path, whether moderation or abstinence. MM promotes early self-recognition of risky drinking behavior, when moderate drinking is a more easily achievable goal. The website provides information about the organization as well as links to live meetings, online support options, and tools/publications for assessing and managing your drinking.

Rational Recovery Rational Recovery is a worldwide source of counseling, guidance, and direct instruction on self-recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs through planned, permanent abstinence. The group believes that individuals are on their own in staying sober, so there are no meetings or treatment centers as part of the approach. The website provides information about the method (Addictive Voice Recognition Technique® (AVRT®)), frequently asked questions, free information for those trying to stay sober, as well as their families, and information about subscription based services.

Recovery, Inc. Recovery, Inc. is a self-help mental health program based on the work of their founder a neuropsychiatrist, the late Abraham A. Low, M.D. Recovery, Inc. offers its members a free method to regain and maintain their mental health and the program is designed to work in conjunction with professional mental health services. The website provides information and background about the group, links to resources for group members and professionals, forum boards for discussions/support, and a directory of the over 700 group meetings in the U.S. and several other countries.

Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS) SOS is an alternative recovery method for those alcoholics or drug addicts who are uncomfortable with the spiritual content of widely available 12-Step programs. SOS takes a secular approach to recovery and maintains that sobriety is a separate issue from religion or spirituality. The website provides more information about the organization, including the history and brochures about the group, as well as links to live meetings around the world.

Smart Recovery SMART Recovery® (Self-Management And Recovery Training) helps people recover from all types of addictive behaviors, including: alcoholism, drug abuse, substance abuse, drug addiction, alcohol abuse, gambling addiction, cocaine addiction, and addiction to other substances and activities. SMART Recovery® offers free face-to-face and online mutual help groups. The website provides more information about the group, as well as links to the 300+ face-to-face meetings offered around the world, 16+ online meetings per week and their online message board for additional support.

Women for Sobriety, Inc. Women For Sobriety, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women overcome alcoholism and other addictions. Their "New Life" program is based upon a Thirteen Statement Program of positivity that encourages emotional and spiritual growth. The website provides additional information about the group, the thirteen statements of the program, and links to find groups in your area.

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Pros and Cons of alcoholics anonymous - jaune sonnier - Jan 22nd 2010

I will be the first one to admit that i love A.A. I have been sober for almost 12 years and it has helped me immensly. I have met some wonderful people in A.A and i have a great amount of respect for the principle and the steps.

I will also be the first one to say the A.A. has its downfalls. I dont believe that relapse is a part of recovery, i dont believe that i am powerless over alcohol, i have met alot of judgmental people, relapse is a choice, addiction is an addiction no matter if it is to alcohol or drugs, there is more to sobriety than A.A, Alcoholics Anonymous is not a mental health provider nor do they know anything about it and have no right telling anyone not to take their medications, not everyone is in denial, and although i do believe in a higher power, the power of the human soul and will should not be undestimated or denied.

I have chosen to believe these things and statement my opinions despite the criticism of others. Do you know that in Bills story he talks about his addiction to sedatives and int he story of acceptance was the answer, most of the chapter is about drug addiction, as a matter of fact, in the first three editions it was called Doctor, Addict, Alcoholic, and in the Doctors opinion and in some A.A. literature it talks about the importance of treatment and medications.

I have noticed that if i stick to my beliefs and opinions despite the opinions of others, the people that do agree and support me come out. My will to stay sober is stronger than the opinion of others and the 12 steps have helped me gained a new insight.

There are also a few other great alternatives to A.A such as reformers unianimous, celebrate recovery, and Social Reformers.

the god stuff - life j - Jan 11th 2010

I have been sober in AA for over 20 years, and I have always had trouble with the god stuff and just put up with it because I do know that AA has kept me sober, and still does, and it has given me a spiritual life without god which i think is inportant. I still do not like the god stuff, and think AA would be better off without it, but everyone in this country was bottlefed with the god concept and so the program is full of it and it will probably be impossible to rid it of the god stuff. it is designed around it, there are a billion bhuddists in this world, probably the most spiritual perople in the world and they do not really have a god, so why should I?

it was a bit hard in the beginning because paople would tell me if i didnt get a god i would get drunk, but now they don't tell me any more, becauser it obviously isnt so. but it is hard for a new person to get bashed over the head with slogans and big book scipture.

Ok, so if you don't get a god you won't get drunk, but here are a few things which seem necessary to me: don't drink no matter what. Seek support to help you not drink if youcant do it on your own. help others to not drink once you can. Get a spiritual life even without god, or maybe all the more so without god, it can be real simple - honesty openmindedness, willingness, humility, live by the golden rule, try help others in need etc, a spiritual life is something about how we act and conduct ourself with other people and ourself, not some nonsense about a god.

And go put up with the alligators in AA if AA helps you stay sober, and there ought to be someone at the meeting you can relate to. Even here in our small town of 2500, there are more of my kind.

A.A. (Another Alternative) - Still Trying - Jan 6th 2010

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you... I am so glad to have found this site and that I am not alone in my opinions on A.A.

First of all I am not a doctor, psychiatrist, or anyone special - I am a person with the disease or problem of alcoholism which has cost so much which is dear to me in life. At the age of 43, I am a software engineer. In my 30’s I went to jail twice for extended stays (9 months and 4 months), I have lost wonderful women, homes and possessions due to alcohol. I am just a person who wants’ with all his heart to get better and recover!!!!! I have been to court ordered rehab twice (6 months the first time and 60 days the second) as well as participated in an addictions program while in jail. I was determined at all times to stay open and really try to make it work and recover.

Secondly I am not against A.A. in any way shape or form, it has helped millions recover and for the ones it has helped that is a blessing. I can only speak for myself, so please what I am trying to say here is only my opinion and mine alone. If a loved one or friend was an alcoholic and wanted to get help I would highly recommend A.A. do to their longevity and millions they have helped. Because of the size of their organization they are able to immediately pick someone up, take them to a meeting, help them get food, support and even shelter. My best friend of 21 years and the one who taught me to drink has now been sober a year (he had 18 months, but went back out for 4), my other good friend (who I met in one of my jail stays), just picked up his one year medallion.

I have tried A.A. on and off for about 10 years at various locations and meetings. After recently trying A.A. again I managed to scrape up 70 days of sobriety, things started getting better with my ex-fiancé, who I owned the house with. However one night after she told me she still wasn’t sure if she wanted me back, the pain was too much and I started drinking again for a couple of weeks. I then tried quitting again and managed another 24 days, again more drama with her and my father passing this past Dec 21’st I started drinking again. I was still trying to stop and managed to get off the hard stuff (vodka) and down to 3 glasses of wine a night with a few days off completely here and there.

For me I understand some of the principals in the steps of A.A., looking at and recognizing my character defects, forgiving myself and making amends to those I had harmed and letting go of the past, however every time I turned to someone in A.A. for help and to work the 4th step the response was always the same “you are still drinking, you are just not ready, you have not hit your bottom”, etc. I have mentioned to them that I am seeking an alternative way to work at my disease on many levels – get to the core of the problem. When doing so I am met with the A.A. “some of us have sought and easier softer way” and I will fail. I have always had OCD tendencies and learned that many with OCD are also alcoholics. I cannot help to wonder how many who have been diagnosed with the disease of alcoholism have been misdiagnosed from the underlying problem. I have also discovered that I may have a chemical imbalance that may be part of the problem. I am learning that natural remedies such as Folic Acid, Vitamin B’s, and things such as Melatonin, Chamomile, Valerian Root, Kava Kava and the like can help with the cravings and emotional distress which makes me want to drink. I have found that issues in my childhood have caused me to find feelings to be painful, Even though I put others ahead of me I may not truly have a love of myself. I am trying to get to the core of what really makes me predisposed to drinking instead of the problem of drinking. I have been to over 300 A.A. meetings and I distinctly remember one who a member with 15 years sobriety had had 2 drinks over the weekend and relapsed. It was like she was being chastised and had completely failed and was forced to pick up another “white chip”. If I had 15 years of not drinking and went and had a couple I would still consider that a success, yet it seemed to me she was looked at as a failure. What happened to “we seek progress not perfection” from the Big Book?? I can maybe come to the terms of I should never drink hard liquor again, but the thought of not being able to taking a mental break and time out (such as a glass of wine or two) forever is inconceivable and even painful to me. I know A.A. is just “one day at a time”, but in my opinion that is just code for “forever”.

In summation it is my opinion Alcohol may be considered a disease and it can and does kill, however, unlike most diseases it has its own uniqueness, as it is a disease of the mind (psycho semantic predisposition to an underlying mental disorder), body (predisposition via genetics), and soul (lack of communication with source, our higher power and highest self, lack of self esteem). Unlike cancer or a broken bone which is a malady of the physical body and can be treated or such, or a mental disorder such as schizophrenia, OCD, which is treated solely on a mental basis, it must be handled differently. I truly must be treated on all 3 levels for it affects our self esteem; it attacks our body physically, and attacks our minds leading to misguided and misplaced judgment.

If A.A. works for someone I think that is great, unfortunately I have really tried and have found many concepts I can use from it, but It has not worked for me. So I shouldn’t be chastised for finding something else in some form of combination that will work for me and maybe others. I almost feel as though A.A. has pushed me away. I apologize in advance if what I have written has offended anyone again these are only my experiences, thoughts, and opinions. If anyone out there has anything else for me please feel free to comment I am open to all opinions and suggestions. You may also email me directly at another.alternative@hotmail.com.

Thank you for letting me share my thoughts.

Sober New Year - john e - Dec 31st 2009

Any program CAN work, some even get sober without a program, some through their place or program of worship.

Yes the change has to happen inside to beat alcohol, unfortunately that change never came to the countless numbers who have died from this phenomenon.

"It" does kill, but the word "disease" is a tad distasteful isn't it . To the woman from India: while you're shopping around for a program which uses a vernacular to your liking or to the others who irked the spiritual concepts AA. Keep shopping around, try to find something exactly right, take as much time as you need but remember the phenomenon is progressive and ultimately fatal.

By analogy: If I had a fatal disease I would go to the hospital which cures the most people, of said disease. I would ask them what I had to do to get rid of the disease. I would follow their direction and if I chose not to (as is my option in this country) I would most likely die.

AA saved my life and ALL (repeat ALL) of the negative issues mentioned on this blog are idiotic when compared to the gravity of the phenomenon of Alcholism

HAMS - Harm Reduction for Alcohol - Kenneth Anderson - Dec 23rd 2009

The HAMS Harm Reduction Network is the newest kid on the block when it comes to AA alternatives. The letters H A M S stand for Harm reduction, Alcohol abstinence, and Moderation Support. HAMS supports every positive change - including goals of safer drinking, reduced drinking, or quitting. HAMS is lay-led and free-of-charge. For more info please visit our web site http://hamsnetwork.org.

AA in my experience... - Max - Dec 10th 2009

has been pretty positive. Stick with the winners and you won't be harassed or talk down to or preached at. I am from a famous distillery town and we have great AA meetings every day of the week. Cliche's abound because they always contain a kernal of truth,otherwise they would quickly be forgotten. Why remember lies? The main thing is that recovery only comes to people who are willing to work for it and change their way of thinking about themselves and their fellows. Keep what you can use and ignore what doesn't seem right and eventually you see why so many people keep comin'back!

Beware the group-think - Tim C. - Dec 9th 2009

I have struggled the majority of my adult life with excessive drinking and self-defeating behaviors and mind-sets.

In late 2004 I became willing to give AA an honest go. For awhile it worked. I took solace in the meeting in New York City. Even considered myself lucky to be an alcoholic. But no matter how much I tried to keep an"open mind" there were certain things that I just could not adopt as my own.

To be sure, I met some very decent, real people in AA. But the ones I felt most confortable with were the free-thinkers. Those who felt as I did that the AA Program was not above criticism. But I met many more who seemed to lapse into AA-speak and with those I found myself feeling it necessasry to edit my speech lest I be called out as "one in denial".

After reading the article and these posts, I've come to realize that maybe the real culprit is "group-think". I am apprehensive of any ideology that comes together and forms a group. Before long, it becomes a run-away train that continually picks up more concepts and truisms no matter if they conflicted with the original idea or not. AA is rife with this(just try meetings in different parts of the U.S and here the things that are givben as tradition even though some seemed to have been crafted out of whole clothe) and I believe, in time, any addiction support group will suffer the same fate.

Additionally, the founders of said groups are eventually imbued with such legend and are lionized to the point of near deity/prophet. I find it increasingly necessary to surround myself with people of considerable diversity for my head and neck can only take so much nodding in agreement.

P.S. Please don't tell my sponsor you saw me here. I still feel subversive for posting such comments.

Agnostic NYC Link - Bob W - Nov 30th 2009

Ed C's link, "http://www.agnosticaanyc.org/worldwide.html", does not seem to work any more. However, "http://www.agnosticaanyc.org/" does. For me, it is quite an interesting site and thank Ed C for posting it here.

rules verses suggestions - - Nov 23rd 2009

I have attended enough AA meetings to know that there is a message in the "fellowship" that it is the only way to stay sober. To not follow these "suggestions" will lead to relapse or death, to not embrace it's doctrine is to be in denial, to have questions, doubts, or concerns is to be entrenced in "alcholic thinking". I believe that AA does do more harm then good because it is far too rigid, fear based, and exclusive of additional support systems that help people who use alcohol as a coping mechanism. To label someone as diseased is ultimately unproductive. There are alternatives. SmartRecovery can be helpful, but don't expect to discuss your upbringing. That is unacceptable in that program. It is the here and now. Again, too rigid for me. Good luck to everyone who is struggling to find happiness and peace of mind without alcohol or drugs. A holistic approach is the best approach, in my opinion.

The Sinclair Method - Rapper - Nov 20th 2009

For anyone who wants a great way to help an alcoholic, look up The Sinclair Method. It may sound to good to be true but it is true. And it is good. If you know someone struggling w/ alcoholism this may very well save their life.

Look it up now!!!

This is not an advertisement, money scam, etc. The medicine used, naltrexone, is a generic drug. A book written about it costs like 10 bucks. No counselers to pay. It can be done by the individual. It is an easy method to follow. It will change their life.

I implore everyone that comes across this to Google "The Sinclair Method" read the wikipedia. If not to only use as an adjunct to other treatment.

Once again, save a life!

Some things people might be overlooking - Ed C (an Agnostic in AA) - Nov 15th 2009

I have at times been angry/disilluioned about AA because of all of the "god stuff." (Still, I've stayed in AA and stayed sober 6+ years and truly believe I might have been dead or in prison by now without AA.)

However, there are meetings geared toward agnostics ( here's a listing I found: http://www.agnosticaanyc.org/worldwide.html )

A couple of things that other posters may not know or have forgotten:

Any group of two or more people (as long as they have no other connection) can form their own AA meeting and run it however they want. So, if your local meetings are "too heavy," "too Christian," "too late at night," or whatever... there's an easy way to fix that -- start your own meeting.

Also, some posters seem upset about various parts of the steps. Much overlooked even among many of my fellow AA members is that the steps "are SUGGESTED as a program of recovery" (that's taken verbatim from the "Big Book", a.k.a. "Alcoholics Anonymous.") Okay, so they're often STRONGLY suggested... but many newly recovering people are really full of themselves, are resistent to help/treatment, and NEED some strong suggestions.

One thing you might hear in and around lots of AA meetings is: "Take what you like and leave the rest!" You don't have to agree with anything in particular, and you don't have to like everyone. (I certainly don't!)

The alternatives to AA all seem to be worse (paid "recovery" systems pushing expensive treatment centers, programs that really are geared to a particular religion, etc.), or continuing to drink, which, for anyone who's truly alcoholic, nearly always ends with jails, institutions and death.

And, like another poster has pointed out, AA has never claimed to be the only solution to alcoholism. In any case, I hope every alcoholic coming to this site finds whatever they need to stay sober.

Blatent Sex harrassment in AA - - Nov 4th 2009

I have been in AA for almost a year, and I have been dogged and stalked by a sexual predator in that organization for almost the entire year. I repeatedly said no to his advances and was actually handed the "Acceptance" speech to read out loud. I've been fargone before, but I'm not THAT far-gone. All that said to me was that I was supposed to accept his sexual advances, and be his friend against my will. I've even had to call the police since the all mighty AA group won't do anything about him and haven't for 10 years. I have started to go to other locations and sometimes he even follows me there! The ones he hasn't been kicked out of that is. I fortunatly have a great sponsor, and a few decent people in there who are friends, but this is ridiculous. I'm too busy having to defend myself to concentrate on my sobriety, and most really don't care, as long as he's not doing to them. I am stongly considering other alternatives to Keep Me Sober. Thanks for the article!!

"It works if you work it!" - recovering AA'er for 13yrs - Nov 2nd 2009

AA is a "free" program for those that want sobriety. AA only works for those who are "willing" to let it work. The twelve steps were created as an outline of steps that need to be taken to know why we drink, whom we have harmed and how to forgive ourselves. AA is a program designed to free of us of ourselves and our selfishness. Some have no desire to be free, or what that freedom would mean to them. AA taught me a new way to live, one day at a time. It took years for the transformation, but it took twice as long to turn into the person that I had become. I will pray for all of you. "Keep coming back, it works if you work it!"

International Christian Recovery Coalition - Richard G. Burns, J.D., CDAAC - Oct 31st 2009

We have no problem with A.A. or alternatives. We do advocate that all in recovery should learn the Christian origins of A.A. and know that this alternative is available for those who want God's help.

Founder of St. Christophers Inn - Paul Dougherty - Oct 28th 2009

Father Pau, founder of St. Christophers Inn at Graymmor has on his tombstone "That one day we may all be one".

Much genuine, much very superficial - PJ McJorma - Oct 23rd 2009

If you've read the old testament, the levite priests job is to get his parishoners into the meeting tent with tassels on the corners of their cloaks (two cylinders firing) not in the grip of sin. Catholic teaching is ailment, affliction, disease, disorder. My drinking for a period of a few years was disease, but I do not believe that this means I'll be diseased for the rest of my life, particularly when I have stopped drinking. Present problems are blood sugar control and depression. Too much of aa has a protestant church superficial bent and I feel the solution will be acheived when the catholic church restores the priesthood to levite priest and six classes of priests free to marry.

The inscription on the tomb of Father Paul, the founder of Graymoor/St. Christophers Inn (oldest alcohol & drug rehab in the country) has "That one day we may all be one".

AA Made me Drink! - laosui - Oct 20th 2009

I know, anything makes an alcoholic drink. We'll take any excuse so that was a stupid thing to say but I swear, going into that sad and pathetic place surrounded by people who had transferred their addictions to meetings made me walk right out and buy a bottle. I have a life, an identity and friends and family who drink who are fine because it does not run in their blood like it does in mine. I don't want to lose them just because AA says they are "enablers" or whatever. Nobody can know how you are feeling unless you draw the line yourself. It's nobody's responsibility except yours to not accept the drink being handed to you. I need a program that allows me to exist on the planet with everyone else every day and stand strong and not have to run to a meeting every time I pass a liquor store. Thank you for posting these alternatives.

alternatives - - Oct 18th 2009

AA is just so much nonsense that is makes you want to die......

Knowing there are alternatives is a good thing.

Thank you.

To anonymous who says, "Really?" - Judi - Oct 16th 2009

We love when someone from AA, such as yourself, makes a comment like this. You take the heat off - and make it effortless to shed light on the ignorance and delusions that runs rampant within the halls of AA.

Really? - - Oct 15th 2009

Come see us when you have all had enough. We'll still love you.

AA is to neg and religious - victoria - Oct 6th 2009

This concept is foolish most likely why it has a low success rate. I am so happy to see other ideas relating to this subject. To believe you are ill encourages you to be ill. To stumble in life with making judgement or decisions does not make me "disease ridden" , it makes me part of the world. Alocohol is evil and I do not want to cripple my life or cramp my style so I avoid partaking in it. It is that simple , to sit and discuss all my issues and why I am ill at these 12 step programs does more harm than good. The bottom line is don't drink and you will not be drunk. If you are not drunk you can find healthy ways to enjoy life, which is up to you. I am no different than any other person so perhaps we all have a disease? What about over eaters, self abusers, depressed You tell me where the perfect well rounded level headed person or family is it only exists in fairy tales. So just be yourself and find more positive things to do with your life instead of supporting bud

My Opinion Of AA - GB - Sep 29th 2009

I just got out of detox today. I feel great. The worst part was sitting through 5 AA meetings and listening to the party line. In one meeting one of the patients I detoxed with disgreed with the speaker. He was told something like( I was sick for this meeting but the others told me about it later) " Maybe you shouldn't be here if you feel that way." Last time I checked it was still America. The rigid worship of the 12 steps and the holier than thou attitude made me sick. When the prayer the our father was recited by the group to close the meeting I was shocked. I was quite vocal with my detox staff about this and some agreed. it's not for me.

Thank you for the info - Tina - Sep 28th 2009

I am really glad to see this article. While I'm currently actively involved with AA I'm having a difficult time with some of the fundamently concepts. Someone earlier mentions that AA is not religious. That isn't true. It just isn't. God is mentioned more times in the 12 steps than in the 10 commandments. It is difficult for me to try to practice "rigourous honesty" when the program itself seems deceptive.

And, I'm a believer, but in God, not AA. It just feels weird to me, like I'm supposed to worship AA now. Its very uncomfortable sitting in meetings and hearing people say that the Big Book is divinely inspired.

I'm an alcoholic because I drink too much, not because I am morally flawed.

Thanks for the article.

Alternative to AA in Des Moines, IA - Martha Varrs - Sep 23rd 2009

I enjoyed your article, I thought it was well thought out and thank you for it. I appreciate the fact that people are starting to look towards non aa treatment programs. 12 step programs have so many problems, as you are aware.

One program that helped my teenaged daughter was the Life Process Program by Dr. Stanton Peele. It is advertised as the most succesful alcohol and drug treatement program available. all I can say was that I was very happy with it. It changed my daughter's life and I will reccomend it to everyone who needs drug and alcohol treatment in Iowa http://www.stgregorycrt.com

In response to.... - Robin - Aug 18th 2009

In response to the person who wrote this: "while reading subjects on recovery i almost always notice it begins with the example of how AA has failed the person or persons writing in. sell your program of recovery on it's own merit. why does something that works ever have to be compared to anything else. it's only going to help those who want what you have anyway, just like anything else that works."

I'd like to point out that I searched the internet with the term "alternative to AA" and found this page. It had exactly what i was looking for and i will check out the links. If this article did not compare itself to AA, then it wouldn't have been top of the search results list, it would have been buried and i might not have seen it. So, i am glad it compared itself to AA because thats what i was looking for.... an alternative to AA. There are people out there that are not interested in joining AA for whatever reason but are still looking for solutions. Sometimes comparing it to AA is how those people can find these other solutions.

Thanks

Need rehab centre - NishaIndia - Jun 13th 2009

I live in India and my husband is addicted to alcohol. with limited resources I am doing my own research. I read the AA approach and quite shocked by the concept that alcoholism is treated as a disease and that the individuals are asked to surrender their control and told they are powerless. The 12 steps are almost a religious mantra and feel like a very outdated approach to treating what is a common problem. I believe that addiction is a massive issue that an individual can learn the skills to control.

My husband is a fun successful man and a wonderful father and hisband. He is simply addicted to alcohol and it is starting to destroy his health. I need a rehab centre that is not traditional for him to go to for some time to learn these skills. I have been looking into the Stanton Peele centre in Iowa, which puts the addict at the centre of his own recovery rather than this 'higher power'. I like his ideas, but this is all new stuff and as my brother in law is AA, I am not being offered alternatives to this in a circle of those who may know more.

love to hear your thoughts,

Alternative to AA - Terence - Apr 16th 2009

What is best Alternative to AA.?I have been to AA for almost 4 yrs & are unhappy many aspects of it.Pls let me know.Rgds,Skype: adaman1954Mobile:94-777-519420 Sri Lanka

Editor's Note: We recommend you view our article, "Top 7 Best Alcoholics Anonymous Alternatives"

LifeRing Secular Recovery is another great alternative - Michael Walsh - Feb 22nd 2009

Bill W states, "the roads to recovery are many." However, several AA types I have come across would lead you to believe that AA is the only way which is really sad. There are a multitude of ways to successfully be in recovery and one of them that I found is LifeRing Secular Recovery.

There were no meetings in my hometown of Victoria British Columbia a year ago so I started the first chapter and now there are now five successful meetings going with more under construction.

LifeRing believes that everyone should have a choice in how and where they recovery — that people should choose recovery tools that fit each individual.

www.unhooked.com

AA - - Jan 31st 2009

I am a recovering alcoholic. AA has saved my life. However, I don't think AA has a monopoly on recovery. We of AA have never said we are the only way. What we say is that we have a way that works for us. AA in not religious in any way. What we do is follow a simple set of steps and principles that helps us change. You see, changing the person you are, the person who has to drink or drug is the key. Take it from this crack addict, needle junkie and drunk AA works, it really does

on your own merit - friend of all recovery - Jan 26th 2009

while reading subjects on recovery i almost always notice it begins with the example of how AA has failed the person or persons writing in. sell your program of recovery on it's own merit. why does something that works ever have to be compared to anything else. it's only going to help those who want what you have anyway, just like anything else that works.

Problem with AA meetings - In Michigan - Jan 10th 2009

I have been attending AA for 7 months. The problem I have is sitting at meetings and listening to speakers make general statements along the lines of " ... and we all have been through this." At that point to feeling of commonality in the addiction starts to end.

It might seem like a trivial point but it is repeated too often to be ignored by me. If I should ignore that part of the sharing or presentation, well, what else should I ignore? The demand for total abstinance? Attending meetings regulary or frequently?

So I don't think one size fits all, so to speak. I am looking for an alternative in the Detroit Metropolitan area.

Another option.. - Spencer Bright - Jan 8th 2009

I'd also like to add Allen Carr's methods to substance abstention. I've been cigarrette free for over 3 years using 'Easy Way'. It's simular to Rational Recovery but I like Allen's style a little more. Carr also has a book on alcohol. Of course, applying the 'Easy Way' method I learned from his cigarette book, I applied to booze and it worked the same. Booze is progressive and sneaky --- also easy to leave behind if you get your frame of mind right.

Heartbreaking diagnosis - - Jan 3rd 2009
It was heart-wrenching to hear the counselor diagnose my teenage daughter with the disease of alcoholism - a progressive, incurable, life-threatening disease. I felt totally powerless to help her. All I could do was put her in a treatment program. This program was run by a very reputable, nationally known hospital. But when I started going to the meetings with her, I realized it was really just AA. Nothing against AA, but why was my insurance being charged hundreds of dollars for this treatment, when AA meetings are free? I hope the treatment helps her, but I feel much better knowing that maybe she doesn't have an incurable, life-threatening disease. Maybe she can get past this problem, and go on to live a normal life.

Alternatives to AA - JR - Nov 14th 2008

To Douglas Eby - thanks for the link. This appears to be an interesting site, and I shall certainly spend a bit of time there when I get the chance.

To Ray Smith - for myself, I am a believer in self-actuated recovery. In fact, my personal belief is (as I think is yours) that all alcohol recovery is really self-actuated. That having been said, I have no particular argument with those who find AA, or any other approach or technique, in some way helpful to them in facilitating or supporting their recovery (note lower case). My problem with AA and its program is that they present themselves, and are presented by much of the "treatment industry" as the only way through which "Recovery" (note higher case) can be achieved - and that "only way" is essentially a non-rational program of "spiritual" (actually "religious") practices that sits ill with very many people (including many religious believers) whose principles and beliefs are inconsistent with AA practices, and/or who require a rational approach to dealing with their problem.

As regards "alternatives", the pedant in me is tempted to say that since self-actuated recovery - even at its simplest - is an active process, this itself constitutes an "alternative" to the "AA One-Way". Beyond that, I would be slow to reject the idea that other systematic approaches to promoting recovery may assist at least some people who find AA unacceptable. If somebody finds some form of group support, or of personal therapy, helpful, well, fine.

I am not a "groupy" person myself, and have not been particularly comfortable with therapy as I have encountered it. However, I have a lot of time for one of the "alternatives" mentioned in the head article - Rational Recovery. RR presents itself as "an aggressive self-recovery program" involving the use of certain essentially rational and simple approaches and techniques. Accepting that some people, at least, find AA useful as a means of support to their own resolution to quit, RR is certainly an "alternative" means of support, and does present itself as such. Given that the RR approach could hardly differ from AA more than it does, and that its founder, Jack Trimpey, is notably and fundamentally hostile to "Steppping" and "Recoveryism", it is a bit hard to accept that giving credence to this "alternative" in any way implies giving credence to AA.

Not, mind you, that the rather harsh, relentlessly individualistic approach of RR will prove helpful to all, any more than does AA. But for some (including myself) it has, at least as an "assist", been a helpful "alternative".

With my very best regards,

Alternatives - Ray Smith - Nov 13th 2008

Just the word 'alternatives' is giving credence to AA.

AA's most successful lie is that people cannot get sober without AA. Forget about all the people who have gotten sober on their own for thousands of years before Bill & Dr. Bob got together.

I see the alternatives useful for those who have left AA yet still have many AA beliefs internalized. Learning that one is powerless, that one has a disease, and that one cannot stop without a group make stopping by yourself difficult if not impossible.

Empowering people to believe that they can, in fact, the only one who can, overcome addiction means tossing away everything that AA has been telling the public for decades.

AA works no better than no treatment. Telling people that if they do not use AA they must use 'alternatives' is repeating AA's lie. 5% of people who try on their own are successful when it comes to quitting alcohol. 5% of people who join AA are successful. But most people never get around to trying AA, 80% of all people who quit for a year or more do so without any program.

5% of all smokers quit each year. Should we start telling them that they need to have a spiritual awakening in order for them to quit? That they need to find God, go to meetings, pray for a daily reprieve? Do we tell them that they cannot stop on their own and that while God cannot cure them of this addiction, He might grant them 24-hours of not smoking at a time?

More alternative resources - Douglas Eby - Jul 17th 2008

These groups can be very helpful in recovery from addictive or self-limiting behaviors. For additional help: the AddictionInfo site was created to bring together the most current and progressive thinking in non-12-step, research-based approaches to drug, alcohol and other behavioral addictions. The site includes over 2,500 articles and news reports, self-help oriented books and products, and a directory of alternatives to AA and 12-Step treatment in the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe.