AA helps a lot of people stop drinking. It is also only one route to sobriety. If the meetings, spiritual language or 12-step structure do not suit you, you still have other ways to build an alcohol-free life.
The important part is finding an approach you are willing to keep using.
Can you quit drinking without AA?
Yes. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism lists a range of treatment options for alcohol problems. These include behavioural treatment and prescribed medication, alongside mutual-support groups.
NIAAA also makes the point that there is no single approach that suits everyone. You can read its overview of alcohol treatment options.
Option 1: Follow a structured online programme
Some people want a plan to follow without attending meetings. An online programme can provide that structure while letting you work through the material privately.
We are currently trialling Craig Beck’s Stop Drinking Expert as our main recommended paid programme. Beck’s method focuses on changing the way you think about alcohol and reducing the feeling that sobriety depends on endless willpower.
Option 2: Use professional treatment
Professional help can include behavioural treatment with a healthcare provider. NIAAA describes approaches that work on drinking behaviour, triggers and motivation.
Medication can also be part of treatment for some people. That is something to discuss with a doctor rather than trying to manage yourself.
Option 3: Try a different peer-support model
Wanting support without AA does not mean doing everything alone. Secular peer groups such as SMART Recovery use a different structure and may feel more comfortable to some people.
If your issue with AA is mainly the religious language, our article on removing God from the 12 Steps may also help.
Option 4: Build your own quit-drinking plan
You can combine several forms of support. Start with a clear quit date or plan. Identify what normally triggers you to drink and decide what will replace that routine.
Our main quit drinking guide gives you a practical structure, while our article on methods to quit drinking compares different routes.
What if AA simply did not work for me?
Trying AA and deciding it is a poor fit does not mean sobriety is a poor fit. Treat it as useful information. You now know more about the type of support you want.
You may prefer private learning, professional treatment or another peer group. What matters is staying engaged with a method that moves you towards the outcome you want.
A private online option
If the main thing putting you off AA is the meeting format and you would rather work through a programme in your own time, Stop Drinking Expert is one option worth looking at.
If you have been drinking heavily for a prolonged period, get medical advice before suddenly stopping. Alcohol withdrawal can be serious and may require medical support.
