I am not powerless over my addiction. And the concept of GOD really cannot help me.

Getting sober is a remarkable achievement that can improve your life. While Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has been a valuable resource for many, it may not be the right fit for everyone.

If you’re wondering if it’s possible to achieve sobriety without attending AA meetings, the answer is a resounding yes. I tried to go to AA the first time I got sober, and it was not a good fit for me.

I couldn’t handle the fact that I had to:

• call myself an addict when I spoke.
• Believe I was powerless over my substance use disorder.
• Believe that turning my will over to a higher power would resolve the battle raging inside of me.
• Listening to AA people say the same crap every day. Most of it was about how many meetings they needed a week, how good ole JC was their savior, and that methadone was substituting one drug for another.

Eventually, I walked away and never looked back.

I know what you’re thinking: Why didnt you go to NA?

You see, I was what you’d call a “speedball junky,” so naturally, I thought Narcotics Anonymous (NA) was my scene. But it quickly became evident that it was just a revolving door of different faces sharing the same tales of newfound meaning through a higher power. Now, I’ve always had my doubts about the whole God concept, and to me, these programs felt as futile as the life of a “street junky.”

To make matters worse, NA meetings often turned into a bizarre spectacle. I found myself witnessing shady drug deals and conversations about doctors handing out Xanax and opioids like candy (because if it’s prescribed, it must be okay, right?). And as if that weren’t enough, the stigma around methadone was reinforced regularly.

I hung around NA for a week or two, never really embracing their demanding path to recovery.

Then came the day when a table saw had its way with my hand. Five shots of morphine, four shots of Dilaudid, and a fat prescription for OxyContin later, I was back in the race.

It wasn’t an immediate return to injecting heroin, mind you. No, it was more like basking in a weightless euphoria that reawakened the part of my brain that detested feeling anything at all.

I fought off the temptation to indulge in dope for a couple of years. Still, in that time, I developed a fondness for a weekly ounce of pot, embraced the bottle like an old friend, snorted my way through piles of cocaine, and eventually gobbled up 10mg methadone pills like they were candy. Until that fateful day, the illicit methadone ran out, so I resorted to quiet corners of upstate New York and copped a bundle of heroin.

However, recovery eventually snuck up on me. I’m 9 years sober, and I’d like to explore 8 powerful strategies I used to create fulfillment in a life of recovery.

Shall we jump in?

1. Seeking Professional Help and Support

One of the critical steps in your journey towards sobriety is seeking professional help and support.

The guidance of a substance use counselor or addiction specialist can be invaluable in providing you with the necessary tools and strategies to navigate recovery challenges.

They will address your specific needs and equip you with the skills to cope with cravings, triggers, and emotional struggles.

The personalized approach of professional help ensures that you receive tailored assistance on the path to sobriety.

I was already in a methadone treatment program for 4 years before I started working closely with my counselor. While in his office one day, he informed me that my bi-weekly toxicology report was negative.

It blew my mind. I went for 2 weeks with coke or dope. Crazy. After I left him, I texted my dealer, got a bundle of dope and a gram of coke, and celebrated my victory.

I started to meet with my counselor a couple of times a week for actual person-centered therapy sessions. Then, I enrolled in outpatient treatment so I could work towards sorting out my past trauma and self-hate.

While ramping up my therapy sessions, I started to gamify how long I could go without shooting drugs. The days grew into weeks and then months. I’d get high once in a while when I had to cop for friends driving down to NYC from upstate. As recovery became my focus, I eventually introduced these guys to my connections.

2. Building a Strong Support System

Surrounding yourself with a solid and understanding support system is crucial for successful sobriety.

Share your decision to get sober with friends and family who genuinely care about your well-being.

This creates a network of encouragement and positivity. People who believe in you and your journey can boost your confidence and provide emotional backing during difficult times.

In addition to friends and family, consider joining support groups outside of AA.

SMART Recovery and LifeRing are excellent alternatives that offer additional perspectives and a sense of camaraderie.

It’s important to set firm boundaries with people who may have contributed to your substance use issues and avoid those who encourage you to “have just one drink/drug.”

As I said earlier, I set up my friends with my connections, so I didn’t have to be around drugs as often. I got sober while living homeless in NYC. As I stopped using, more people noticed me when I panhandled on the streets. People started to stop and talk to me, engage with me, and bring me books to read, clothes, and home-cooked food during the holidays.

A church group also took notice. Their goal was to save me. Hell, I’d’ve been the ultimate sheep brought into their God’s fold.

Instead of shunning them, I was grateful for their kindness and went to Sunday worship for breakfast, warmth, and companionship. Eventually, I became close to one of their pastors. We met weekly for breakfast for several years until I lost contact. He is now working in Africa with his family.

I cannot stress enough about the importance of solid support whether you are still using drugs or getting sober for the first time.

As Johan Hari states,

“The opposite of addiction is not sobriety, the opposite of addiction is connection.”

3. Engaging in Sober Activities

Finding new activities that don’t involve alcohol is essential for staying sober.

Many people in recovery find a lot of free time and need to fill it with healthy and fulfilling pursuits. Explore hobbies and interests that ignite your passion and sense of purpose.

Some ideas include participating in sports, honing your artistic skills, volunteering for a cause you believe in, or joining a book club.

Engaging in sober activities fills your time and helps you discover new aspects of yourself. It provides a sense of achievement and fulfillment, fostering a healthier and more balanced lifestyle.

I’ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life — and I’ve never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do. — Georgia O’Keeffe

When I started getting sober, I didnt spend time listening to the Big Bookers beat the 12 steps into my head. I found, in moments of anxiety or worry, that the best remedy was not sitting and stewing in my thoughts but rather launching my body into motion. Be it a brisk walk, a jog, or a sweat-inducing workout, each step was a step away from the lure of old habits.

Along this path, I stumbled into a CASAC 350-hour training program, a twist I didn’t anticipate but welcomed like an old friend, opening the doors to becoming a substance abuse counselor in New York.

I frequented gatherings devoid of the once-tempting siren call of drugs and alcohol, challenging my social anxieties to a duel and learning, bit by bit, to engage in the raw, unfiltered reality of sober socializing.

4. Avoiding Triggers and Temptations

Recognizing and avoiding triggers and temptations is key to maintaining sobriety. Identify situations, environments, or people that might prompt you to drink and establish healthy boundaries. This empowers you to stay focused on your sobriety journey.

Learning effective strategies to manage cravings and peer pressure plays a significant role in resisting temptations and remaining committed to sobriety.

5. Creating a Structured Routine

Building a structured daily routine provides stability and reduces the chances of relapse.

Plan your day with activities that promote your overall well-being, such as exercise, meditation, spending time with loved ones, pursuing your passions, and setting realistic goals.

A structured routine minimizes idle time and helps form healthy habits, reinforcing your commitment to sobriety. It instills a sense of purpose and accomplishment, contributing to a positive mindset on your sober journey.

6. Developing Healthy Coping Mechanisms

In the absence of alcohol, developing healthy coping mechanisms is essential for effectively managing stress and emotions. Practice deep breathing exercises, mindfulness techniques, or journaling to express your feelings and thoughts. Regular exercise releases endorphins, serving as a natural mood booster and providing a healthier outlet for emotional release. Explore various coping strategies to find what works best for you, enabling you to handle life’s challenges better and promoting long-term sobriety.

7. Educating Yourself on the Dangers of Alcohol and Other Drugs

Understanding the risks of drugs/alcohol can be a powerful motivator to stay sober.

Educate yourself about the long-term physical and psychological effects of substance use disorder. By becoming well-informed about the risks involved, you reinforce your commitment to quit using, gain the power to resist temptations and stay on course.

Seeking knowledge on use disorders also helps dispel misconceptions, fostering empathy and understanding towards those struggling with addiction.

Harm reduction was my pathway to recovery. I frequented syringe service programs, not just for sterile needles, but to congregate with harm reductionists and other peers who were ex-drug users.

I also spend time at a place called Swan. It was an HCV clinic. They offered testing, treatment, and sterile works nd injecting supplies. The best part about Swan was they also allowed us to use their facility as a safe place to inject heroin and other drugs. They would monitor us while we were in the restroom working up. There was always injectable Narcan at the ready. I went there for 3 years, and during this time, they reversed many overdoses and never lost a life.

I was also enrolled in a methadone maintenance program. Methadone kept me from getting sick in the morning, so I never had to take unnecessary risks to make money and ward off heroin withdrawal. It also provided me stability as I slowly stopped shooting heroin.

8. Celebrating Milestones and Progress

Recovery is a journey filled with progress, not perfection. Celebrate every milestone and achievement, no matter how small they may seem. Rewarding yourself for staying sober positively reinforces your behavior and encourages you to continue on the path to sobriety.

Embrace each sober day as a significant step towards a healthier, happier life free from alcohol’s grip.

Staying committed to your goal, even through setbacks, empowers you to overcome challenges and embrace your newfound sober lifestyle. Celebrating your progress reminds you of your strength and determination to maintain sobriety.

Conclusion

Achieving sobriety without AA is entirely possible, and these eight strategies can guide you on your journey. By seeking professional help, building a solid support system, engaging in sober activities, avoiding triggers, creating a structured routine, developing healthy coping mechanisms, educating yourself on the dangers of drugs and alcohol, and celebrating milestones, you can stay sober and lead a fulfilling life.

Remember, your path to sobriety is unique, and finding what works best for you is essential.

Embrace the power within you to break free from alcohol’s hold and create a brighter future for yourself.

Stay tuned for more insights and practical tips on emotional well-being in future articles and episodes. Together, we can unlock the full potential of our emotional goals and create lives worth living.

About the Author:

Hi, I’m Johnny, an ex-street junky with 9 years sober. I’m into multiple pathways to recovery, harm reduction, alternative health & personal growth — and loud, raw, noisy guitars. You can check out my band here.

I also create short guides to resources to help others live with more freedom and intent, work wiser, and recover out loud. Click the link to sign up for free.