How can I quit drinking without going to AA, which I despise.?
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Start to do some research for your area. Look in the Yellow Pages. Look up the Drug and Addictions counselors in your area and ask them what other options exist (it says CAC after names of Certified Addictions Counselor).
A close friend of mine quit on her own. She hated AA, too. But she became a "dry drunk." That means she doesn't use alcohol, but she didn't resolve the things that lead her to use alcohol.
There is a new med now that helps people stop drinking. You could ask your dr. about that.
I am really glad you are thinking of quitting drinking, and that you know you have a problem. I agree that 12-steps can be a bit boring, but for a lot of people it's the best thing around. My older brother quit pot and booze 16 years ago and still goes to AA every week, sometimes twice. It beats his old life by a mile. Better to be bored than dead.
Not pick up the bottle or substitute it for something positive like exercise, music/art or something you like to do for fun
you dont necessarily need AA, and i agree with you, i dont think much of it either... NO research to back up ANYTHING they say.
my suggestion, if you dont feel you can do it alone (most people can't), then find a drug & alcohol treatment center in your area that has a DIFFERENT approach from AA, meaning something OTHER than 12 steps. they are out there. you can attend group session, individual sessions, or some combination. just ask what the approach is to treatment when you call.
tell your family & close friends what you are trying to do, dont be proud to lean on them for support through this.
good luck.
You could try non-alcoholic drinks, same taste ish, still got a glass in your hand. It might work.
hypnosis?
You're just going to have to put your mind to it yourself.All of us have the option of making choices in life and the only option you have is ...take it or leave it.Every time you want a drink just ask yourself.Do I really want it?How will it make my day better?Is it worth it?Will it really help my life or make my problems go away? As Nancy Reagan famously said.."Just say NO!"
I'm in the same position. Join a club. Take courses. Make a goal plan. And I will randomely go to meetings.
You have to see clearly (without judgment) that what you believe it gives you, it doesn't.
Once you realize more than intellectually, but have recognized deeply, that it doesn't give you what you believed it could, does, or can. it's easy to stop.
You've deeply recognized there is nothing to GET from it. And there's no point continuing from there.
Just believing this or intellectually knowing it isn't enough you MUST see it very clearly.
p.s.
Use a doctor's supervision to quit, or you may die.
First, you decide that you will not drink anymore no matter what. Then you find some other way of getting support. If you deal with people that understand where you are coming from and you can identify with them you're going to find it a lot easier.
http://www.whatwinnersdo.com is my personal addiction recovery site, feel free to stop in there, read some stuff and post some comments. Good Luck
don't let your emotions get in the way of your recovery. I firmly believe that addiction can not be overcome without some kind of spiritual connection. For you I do not know what that would be, but you need to find it. I personally attend a faith based (Christian) 12 step program. It is also a NA group. Meth was my problem, but i have also battle the alcohol demons as well.
if your line of thinking is I despise AA so I am not going to get help and drink anyway. You are not really trying to quit. stop lying to yourself and get on with the business of soberity
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