The debate over the efficacy of 12-step programs has been quietly bubbling for decades among addiction specialists. McCarthy has worked at large enterprise recovery centers across the country spearheading business development teams. Melissa McCarthy is the Vice President of Business Development at Amatus Health. With a decade of experience in the behavioral healthcare and addiction treatment industry, McCarthy is passionate about recovery. She has her finger on the pulse of marketing trends, with the end goal of helping businesses grow so they can serve more people in need. Everyone who comes through our doors is in a moment of profound struggle in their lives.

For those struggling with drug or alcohol abuse, AA and its sister groups are some of the most popular programs for getting sober. In fact, as of 2019, over 2 million people worldwide went to AA. After their first splash of surprise stay sober without aa (or lack thereof), I had to accustom myself to my peers viewing me through the distorting lens of alcoholism. My experience has taught me that most people—even intelligent, worldly people—have bad data about alcoholism.

The Power of Supportive Relationships and Social Networks in Alcohol Recovery

The organization is upfront about the fact that 30 percent of its members go on to abstinence-based programs, if moderation didn’t work for them. If you’re worried but haven’t yet reached your bottom, it could be worth checking them out. Acknowledging and celebrating the hard work of recovery is helpful for keeping you motivated and reminding you why you took this brave step toward sobriety in the first place. Just be sure that your rewards don’t involve drugs or alcohol. Instead, focus on things, experiences, and activities that will support your new, healthy lifestyle. If you find it difficult to make new, sober friends, try joining a support group.

He has successfully drunk in moderation on occasion, without any loss of control or desire to consume more the next day. And he has more at stake now—his daughter was born in June 2013, about six months before he found Willenbring. There is no mandatory national certification exam for addiction counselors. No other area of medicine or counseling makes such allowances. I visited one of three private treatment centers, called the Contral Clinics, that Sinclair co-founded in Finland. (There’s an additional one in Spain.) In the past 18 years, more than 5,000 Finns have gone to the Contral Clinics for help with a drinking problem.

Ways to Show Support to Your Spouse with a Mental Illness

Building creative approaches to reach more people will take our company to new heights. This is why I am pleased to announce that we are officially rebranding. Our new national name, TruHealing Addiction & Mental Health Treatment, will eventually replace Amatus Recovery Centers. It’s difficult to find statistics on success rates for people who use AA versus those who don’t. For one, Alcoholics Anonymous is, well, anonymous—some members don’t participate for fear of breaking anonymity. Additionally, according to Scott Lilienfeld and Hal Arkowitz writing for The Scientific American, 40% of AA attendees drop out.

We need to support our individual right to a self-directed recovery, and no one should shame you into taking a pathway that no longer works for you. While it is one of the most widely accessible and free pathways of recovery — and most commonly known by people who are not part of the recovery community — it is not representative of the entire recovery landscape. The fundamental belief of Alcoholics Anonymous, which is that we shouldn’t drink alcohol 100% of the time, works.

Can You Get Sober Without AA?

Whether or not you do 12-step along with it is up to you. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health, which sometimes includes substance use disorders. They can be particularly helpful if you believe you have underlying anxiety or depression you are managing with alcohol. You might need to decline invitations to events if you don’t feel comfortable. Sometimes, your friends and family members might think that you can have just one drink.

Many people who have AUD don’t want to abstain from drinking entirely and instead seek treatments that reduce drinking. And others have a goal of drinking less or quitting, but don’t find other aspects to align with their values. The best way forward for your recovery from alcohol or substance use is to incorporate a wide variety of strategies that will help foster success. Remember to care for yourself, seek supportive relationships, and consider seeking help from a therapist. One common mistake for those who are new to alcohol and drug recovery is substituting a new compulsive behavior for their old one.