How to stop drinking on your own

If you want to stop drinking on your own, congratulations! The reality is that more people stop drinking on their own than through AA and all traditional treatment programs combined. Much more. And those who quit alone stop drinking permanently without cults, "steps," meetings, labels, or stigma.

What does the research show?

Research shows that less than 5% of those trying to quit drinking by joining AA, or going through traditional alcohol rehab, which is based on the Minnesota AA / 12 Model, manage to quit drinking alcohol, while 30 % of those who are successful quit drinking on their own. What group do you want to be in?

Because the difference?

Traditional treatment is based on the long-contested myth that alcohol abuse is a disease and that you are a helpless victim. Instead, research shows that alcohol abuse is an option: a behavior you've adopted to deal with loneliness, boredom, anxiety, passivity, and other conditions. Once you see that you are choosing short-term solutions for long-standing problems, you can start making other decisions.

It works?

Recognizing that alcohol abuse is a symptom of unresolved underlying conditions provides you with a firm foundation, based on research and experience, to eliminate your alcohol consumption on your own. Basically it is a process of substituting long-term solutions for short-term escape. When you stop drinking, that is what you are doing to be successful.

How to start?

Getting started means solving exactly what conditions you self-medicate. Once you've done that, you can start researching how to fix problems instead of escaping from them. At first, this may seem overwhelming, but remember that you don't have to fix everything at once. Recovery from alcohol abuse or dependence, "alcoholism," is a process and can take some time as you adjust to a new daily life.

As a practical matter, you can start tracking your alcohol consumption. This allows you to identify triggers, situations, and conditions that induce you to drink. You can also start listing the costs and benefits of quitting drinking and quitting so that you can realistically compare the benefits of quitting.

Motivation is also a factor and it helps to be clear about what you will gain by quitting drinking that really matters to you. Health? Better relationships? Fewer family, work, legal and financial problems? More self-esteem? An improved sex life? Writing down what matters to you and how not to drink will help you improve your chances of achieving these personal goals.

What to avoid?

Avoid "traditional" solutions that turn out to be cheating instead of real solutions. AA, Alanon and traditional treatment are designed to prevent you from recovering and leading a normal life. In fact, they all reinforce the myth that you are powerless and must resign yourself to maintaining a life focused on alcohol, being "in recovery", forever. Don't gobble down this self-defeating and depressing beer. You deserve much better than that.

Should they get help?

There is real help available if you decide that quitting drinking on your own is too difficult or just doesn't work for you. Look for research-based, non-12-step programs or books like "How to Quit Drinking on Your Own."