Has anyone successfully remained sober without starting out in treatment or going to AA etc.

I suppose that means-doing it on your own.

i have read on the web that there are groups who do this - not sure how. there are books about it, though, and on tv, i saw an ad for "promises" (i think) in southern california, maybe (?) and they say they do not use the "disease" model of alcoholism.

Quirkyalone, I'm sure that it has and can be done...I'm not so clear on what determines the success of such...whether it depends on the person, the timing or both, or even some other factor...and I suppose it would be more the exception than the rule to be successful on one's own...since a major problem with addictive personalities is the lack of ability to be self-aware AND honest with oneself..though I certainly DO believe that it can be done..just not sure what it would take for it to be successful.

Is there anything specific you need? I mean are you asking the question because someone needs some direction or something or are you just curious about experiences of others?

Why would any one do it alone when thers help avalible? unless thers some issue with the 12 steaps, totale abstanesce (sp) or members within the 12 steaps programmes.


addictions a biggie and as suggested above it can transfeer from one thing to another thing that becomes addictive again.

i guess id also want to know is it personal, for a frend, or just asking becouse of couriositie and what the problem or issue (if their is one) with doing it with peer support or preofessional support. its quite a big disclosure thats being asked of from members so maybee some back ground might help.

I think some poeple may begin the journey alone, but eventually realize they need support. Anything can be a step in the right direction.

To answer your question, I don't know anyone who has done that. I know people who have slipped even with the help of AA so I imagine it could be hard, but definitely a step in the right direction.

I know two recovering alcoholics and they tell me you are always recovering. One did it alone and ended up worse off after sliding backwards. She said NEVER AGAIN!!! Once she went for the professional help offered it was so much easier and she has never backslided. Thew other, an oldrer male, a drunk for 30 something years went to AA and into a care physility for 90 days as well. Both have remained successfully sober, but still go to AA and he is a sponsor now for others who need help.

I have never taken a drink myself except for a swig of wine before dinner at Christmas. Can't stand the taste of alcohol.

chatty, it seems like the most successful are those who stick with AA. I know a gal who was a drug addict and alcoholic. A friend took her in and got her the help she needed, which took several years. After getting some education and a job she moved out and carried on alone. The woman is now in an excellent job and happily married to someone she met in AA. This has taken place over a 20 year period and she's still active in AA. There's a part of me that thinks it's sad that her life revolves around AA, but it's really what gave her her life back so what do I know?

quirkyalone,
I quit drinking many, many years ago. I partied like many young people, party. But I quit that and I quit smoking March 4, 1984. It is
possible to do it yourself. But you need the WILL to succeed.
If you want anything bad enough, you can do what it takes to
obtain that goal. Love and prayers and blessings...

quirkyalone,
I'm not saying it isn't a good idea to get help. I know members
of AA and that organization really, really helps folks. But the
desire to change has to start in your heart. That's all I'm
saying here. The dream to succeed needs to be birthed inside you. IMO! Prayers and blessings

I have tried AA and met many good people but it is just too faith based for me. When I had to choose a higher power--I chose myself and my sponsor told me that it wasn't acceptable. I feel like I have to have power over myself. Anyway, no insurance for rehab. I keep trying but 30 days seems to be my breaking point. I always feel like I need something! Everyone alters the way they feel with something, be it alcohol, food, prayer, sex, shoplifting, whatever. Too bad I couldn't become hooked on exercize!

Thanks for the responses

lol many others in earlie recovery do become hooked on exercise lol. it might happen yet.

Did your sponser explaine why it wase't acceptable to chose yourse;lf as your higher power? If they didn't or can't chose eanother sponser, sometimes its hard to accept stuff when its not made obviousie the good intenison or rasional behind the basic princiaple or idea of stuff. Explinasions may not make it any more easier but i think minds accepot easier once they have the rational.


was seeing the aa meeting and the power within the group suggested as a sutible alternative to the higher power being of a devine faith based nature?
I know may sucessfull 12 steapers who have this view and never view the HP as devine, just thir hp lies within the joint power of the positive from within the meeting.

id be happie to chat with you about this, just draw my attension to it if i don't see it or pm me or just have a wee chat in private if you feel uncomphortable with the publicness of this descusion.

your call so give me a shout if you want,

cheers

dotsie you can't see who is last poster heer or when the last post was. I am posting now to see if it will change things and to see if i can post.

wonderring if this is part of the problems earlier in the week, thats not resolved.

Being that I have been to multiple rehabs over 4 years to be where I am now (18 months sober.) I just had to respond to this thread, even if it is a few days old.
From what I have seen and heard thru my journey there is simply not one solution that fits all. We hear a lot about AA and its successes but the scientific data puts its success rate at 7-10%. There is no way to ever know how many people in the quiet of there own homes and suffering are able to stop and stay stopped. I have been taught the long-term recovery rate is only somewhere between 25-33% for all addicts. Maybe they were just trying to scare us or maybe it is true, I don't know but that is what all rehabs seem to use as the figure.
It makes sense that the 'solution' is different for all afflicted with this as we are all different people with different needs and beliefs.
For me AA was initially helpful as it kept me busy and with people who understood. I then found I needed to be around healthy people who did not focus on alcoholism all the time. Being immersed in the subject became bad for me, I needed to learn to be 'immersed; in the real world. Just some thought from someone who has 'been there, done that'.

congradulations on your time up green (18 months)

figures in the uk for addictes as diffrent from alcoholics run a lot less its between 4 and 6 % for long term recovery but this is based within narcotices annonimise figures. for addicts as opposed to long term users but are not addicts.

you being arounf "healthie people" did you joine any other support group? or start with some other group maybee religouse based? Or are you doing it compleatlie on your owen?

green, congrats, and I say that with all sincerity. I know poeple in recovery, and know what a huge task it is. Keep up the excellent work.

I'm glad you discovered what works for you. It makes tremendous sense to me. I hope it will help someone reading who needs a different idea about recovery.

We are such an addictive society that whenever aqnyone has a breakthrough it is such a happy event. Whether it be sex, food, drugs, or alcohol each is an addiction and hard as all get out to overcome, some never do. So BRAVO green415....!

Greene, I don't think it matters how old the thread is. I've seen dead threads get resurrected after months of inactivity. Just my observation. It's awesome that you are at the 18 month mark. As always, I appreciate your candor. My husband has gone no longer than 2 weeks without a drink in our 20 year marriage. He drinks 2-3 glasses of wine after work, and sometimes a beer on the way home from work. I no longer police him. He knows the high stakes. He is not destructive other than to himself. I do worry that if he tried to quit on his own is there withdrawal for that amount? I do understand that one cannot be one's own higher power. But I don't like the notion of being put on the spot to determine a higher power. I've noticed on the self-help and psychology aisles of the book stores there are lots of books and workbooks to help those who want to quit an addiction.

There is a great deal of good literature out there.
I don't know if he would go thru a withdrawal, none of the people I have been in rehab with drank that small an amount. But given that he has done it for so long has to make you wonder about it. After a day of not drinking I wonder if his hands are shaky or if he is sweaty and nervous. Those were my first signs at the beginning of my journey. Also, from my experience and talking to other addicts, we are very seldom, if ever, honest with ourselves and others about the amount we are actually drinking. My poor hubby thought I was drinking 2 or 3 drinks a night. He was in a state of shock the day I went to him for help and confessed it was actually more than a fifth every day. So you can see I was in much worse shape than your hubby. Just remember that the person in real trouble is seldom, if ever, honest about it all. The shame is too great.

Okay, this thread is a year old, but is a subject near and dear to me. I see above where I had 18 months of sobriety so I had to give an update - even if no one is reading it.
2 1/2 YEARS SOBER AND PROUD OF IT!!!!!!

I salute you and celebrate with you in your joy. You obviously are loving yourself (that's where it starts!) and your life and how many people can say this? You go girl! (Queen jumping up and down and doing a happy dance for Greene)

You need strong dedication to do this. Actually the habit of alcohol makes you do this and bars all reasoning capability. But still if you have to fight against drinking without treatment you will have to make yourself strong for that. You can do some yoga, and also check out the Anxiety Health Center for some advice.

welcome sanahenk. Tell us about yourself.

And congratulations, Greene. It's now over 3 years!

THANK YOU, Anno. It is 3 years now and I am doing just great. One of the best parts is regaining the trust of my family. They no longer have to worry each time I leave the house that I'm headed to a liquor store. Best of all I am doing a great deal of babysitting for my grandchildren - it amazes and honors me that they feel they can trust me with such a responsibility. So, life is good!

You must be soo proud of yourself, Greene. When I think how hard it is just to diet, I can't even fathom going through what you have accomplished.

Thank you Edelweiss, it has been quite a battle but, for the moment at least, I am winning it. Yes, I am very proud but am also careful not to get too self-assured about it because the disease of addiction is always lurking there in the background ready to take over as soon as I let my guard down! I have also been very blessed to have my family stick by me and support me as well as the resources to get the professional help that I so badly needed. I could never have done it alone!

WELCOME sanahenk to our cyber home. Thanks for the good advice too. Hope you remain and we get to know each other well.

Hip, hip, hooray greene...You are a champion.

Thank you, Chatty.