If you’re ready to stop drinking but aren’t sure which type of support will help you succeed, keep this in mind: there isn’t just one “right” path to recovery.
“Many people thrive with therapy and medication, others find inspiration and community through peer support, and most people combine several different approaches to build a support network that’s right for them,” says Dr. Mandy Neeble-Diamond, a clinical psychologist specializing in addiction and recovery. “There are a lot of ways to live a healthy and fulfilling alcohol-free lifestyle. The key is to find the combination that helps you feel confident as you move forward.”
To get started, it’s important to begin by talking with your primary care physician about your goals. Having a general understanding of the treatment landscape will help prepare you for that conversation. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the following six steps are recommended evidence-based treatments.
Therapy as a Sobriety Tool
Therapy is one of the most widely used tools for achieving and maintaining sobriety. Seeing a licensed therapist can help you understand the patterns behind your drinking and discover if mental health issues have played a role in your alcohol use. Many people drink to cope with anxiety, depression or traumatic events. Treating mental health conditions with therapy, and in many cases, medication, can be key to successful recovery. There are multiple therapeutic approaches that help people recover from alcohol use disorders. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, for example, can help you identify the types of situations, thoughts and feelings that lead you to drink (triggers) and build new thought patterns and responses that help you to stay alcohol-free. Therapy can be one-on-one or group-based, and you can usually choose to see someone in-person or via secure telehealth appointments.
Medication Options in Recovery
If you and your therapist determine that underlying mental health issues have contributed to your drinking, treating those conditions with medication might be one of the first steps on your road to recovery. There are also three medications approved by the Federal Drug Administration specifically to treat alcohol use disorders, but according to the NIH, these medications benefit a lot of people and are usually not needed long-term.
Peer Support Groups
It’s usually easier to share about personal experiences or painful events with people who have been through something similar. If you’ve decided to stop drinking or reduce your alcohol intake, it can be helpful to build relationships with others who are living an alcohol-free lifestyle and have a unique understanding of the challenges and triumphs of sobriety. Peer support programs offer shared experience, community and accountability, which are all important ingredients for recovery.
The most established peer support program for those seeking to eliminate drinking is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), a 12-step program that has been around for many years and has helped a large number of people get and stay sober. AA, founded in 1935, is global, with groups meeting in 180 countries around the world. No matter where you’re located, it’s usually possible to find a meeting near you. Meetings are now held virtually, too.
If you would feel more comfortable being part of a group without spiritual or religious components, there are several options. The most widely known secular peer support groups in the U.S. are SMART Recovery, LifeRing, Mindfulness in Recovery, Women for Sobriety and more. According to the NIH, these groups seem to be as effective as AA.
No matter the group you choose, being actively involved will help you get the most out of it. Going to regular meetings, having a close friend in the group, or volunteering to help lead meetings or mentor another member of the group can be extremely helpful in remaining alcohol-free. Attending meetings is especially helpful early in sobriety, when loneliness or uncertainty can be intense and social support makes a big difference.
Recovery Coaching
Recovery coaches are not mental health practitioners and are not licensed to diagnose or treat mental health conditions. They’re also not life coaches, who tend to focus on personal growth, goals and motivation more generally. So, what are they? Recovery coaches are people who have lived experience with addiction and are trained to support people in recovery. They can help create recovery plans, provide emotional support during challenges, connect you to resources, and offer practical support for relationships, work and wellness. Recovery coaches do not replace therapy or medical treatment, but they can be a strong layer of everyday support, especially for navigating drinking triggers and establishing new routines.
Wearable Alcohol Monitoring Devices
Wearing an app-enabled alcohol monitoring bracelet can give you additional support and personal accountability on your recovery journey. For example, with SOBRsure, you can add trusted people as administrators like your sponsor, therapist, partner, coach, or a sober friend. If you drink alcohol or take off the wristband, the bracelet's technology automatically alerts them. Many SOBRsure users feel more secure just knowing that someone is in their corner and can strengthen their commitment to staying alcohol-free.
Building a Network of Support
As Dr. Neeble-Diamond, says, most people don’t choose just one path to recovery. They build a support network. That can include therapy, peer meetings, a recovery coach, wearable accountability tools, and sober friends. Recovery isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about being consistent, supported and kind to yourself as you navigate this new terrain.
One Step at a Time
If you’re ready to stop drinking but sometimes feel overwhelmed about the road ahead, you’re not alone. It helps to take it one choice and one day at a time, and to remember there are a lot of people and resources to support you along the way. Between therapy and medication, peer support group meetings, coaching support, and alcohol monitoring technology, you can build a personalized pathway that leads to a healthier, happier future. There’s no “right” way to recover. There’s only the way that works for you.
Take the First Step Today
Reach out to a professional to talk about the treatment options that make the best sense for you. And to learn more about the SOBRsure wristband for continuous alcohol monitoring and how it can support you on your recovery journey, visit our product page.