What is AA like, are there other options?

[DespondentOizys]

So, I self refered to a counselling service.
I've had one appointment, due to councillors holidays and when I'm available I won't have another appointment till more than a month later.
From what I've read AA doesn't seem for me but I'm really invested in getting more support. Can anyone suggest anything?

Theres a lot of different people, from different backgrounds and with different beliefs in AA.
It's worth going along to a meeting and seeing if it is for you. There is no obligation to do or say anything.
I have found it hugely helpful. My life is much improved due to AA.

AA is people like you. Who have a desire to stop drinking and build that sobriety up a day at a time.

I’ve met every type of person under the sun there but we all have one thing in common. We want to live sober. That bond is greater than anything else.

Your local nhs will have a service you can self refer to. Speak to your GP if an internet search doesn’t help

My friend was at AA about a year ago. It certainly helped him stay sober for a while, but he said it was ‘too religious’ for him.

I went just to prove I didn’t need to go and I wasn’t like ‘them’.

I stayed for years and it was the best thing ( personally) for me.

Im 14 years sober this year and I know it wouldn't have been possible without the kindness and mentoring offered to me through AA. I listened to their stories: so familiar when even different. And I picked up the phone instead of picking up a drink.

The 12 step programme also enabled me to sort out EVERY CORNER of my life so I didn’t need to go back to drinking again.

if I were you I’d go and go with an open mind (😂or a closed one like me!!) and see how you get on. They don’t ask for any money and there’s no sign up contract and if it’s not for you, then it’s not for you. What have you got to lose?!

It shouldn't be religious. It's supposed to be spiritual - they use the word 'God' but it's shorthand for any kind of power you want to find that will help you.

Echo advice to try a meeting and see how you feel.

If you phone the helpline they will put you in touch with a local lady who can meet you there or even pick you up and take you so you're not alone.

Alright, so everyone on this thread so far has said to try AA. I'm going to be different - there is a completely secular alternative. It's called SMART recovery and it operates on the principle of addressing the underlying reasons why you drink excessively, using CBT and talking therapy techniques. They have meetings both in person and online. Give them a go, and well done on deciding you want to stop.

Thanks for all the replies, I'll look more into AA. As people have pointed out I've nothing to lose by giving it a go. I'll also look at the SMART recovery as well it sounds useful.

I don’t think I’d ever have stopped if the only option was AA, I couldn’t see that I’d ever have gone to a meeting. I don’t agree with their premise of alcoholism being a disease and that I am powerless over alcohol. That said it is incredible the number of lives they have saved and that someone who needs help can attend a meeting every day if they need to is quite amazing.

Have a look at Club Soda and Over The Influence

Try your local alcohol service eg CGL, Turning Point etc.
Otherwise look at Alcohol Change UK. Should be able to signpost you to other avenues of support.
Good luck with changing your relationship with alcohol. Guarantee it will be one of the best acts of self-care you do.

Every AA meeting is unique, actually, each meeting gets its own culture going. The commonalities is a lot of newbies are pissed off at themselves and the lives they led themselves to. This frustration leads to brutal honesty which i find attractive but it's not for everyone. It's entirely a programme of attraction, no one will stop you walking out if you don't like it.

If you don't have a physical dependency on alcohol (ie you're not drinking to avoid withdrawal) coaching is an option. We talk about what's going on for you, get to the root of why you drink and change it from the ground up.

It works whether you want to stop drinking entirely or just moderate and as that goal is set by you, you're the one who feels in charge (which you are). This is hugely important as so many people feel they are out of control around alcohol. Once they start seeing they aren't then things can change very quickly.

This is doubtless not going to be for everyone, but I say all this as one who's seen it happen and lives change for the better. I coach people on this and every single time the moment they start to get a grip on alcohol they start to ask what else they're capable of.

Also going to encourage you to look into smart recovery. And seeing your Gp.

@SeaStatePhenomenal I've heard of club soda so will look into it thank you 😊
Thanks for all the other replies, I had a look at local AA groups to find one that I could fit round work etc. Even if I have been to a meeting before my next counselling session I'm going to ask for other support resources, more information the better etc.

I was looking at the online Smart recovery meetings, they have a few a week and you don't need to turn your camera on or participate if you don't want to. I had hoped to join one last week but wasn't able to, but am going to give it a go soon to see if it might be helpful for me.

@confusedlots, oh that's actually interesting about the camera. I know that meetings can be held online but I didn't like the aspect of sitting with a camera on (I know if you go to a meeting everyone can see you anyway but it just feels different having to be on a camera). Did you just look up online for smart meetings online?