Who can help me quit drinking?
Deciding to make the change can seem daunting and even impossible. When it comes to quitting drinking, it is important to consider all of the different approaches to recovery and to find the right approach for your needs. Additionally, relapse is a common part of recovery, affecting many individuals in their journey to sobriety. Studies have found that over 30% of the people who attempt to stop drinking will relapse in their first year of sobriety. Fortunately, however, the relapse rate decreases with time. The longer you stay sober, the greater your chances for long-term sobriety. Having a strong support system will help you achieve your sobriety goals, with studies showing that a positive peer support group is crucial to substance use recovery.
We’ve outlined below a few of the leading charities supporting individuals to help quitting drinking. Each takes a slightly different approach to the task, be it AA and its emphasis of group accountability or Loosid and its comprehensive digital platform, all of them arming you with a variety of tools and strategies to achieve sobriety.
Alcohol Change UK 🔗
Alcohol Change UK is a leading UK alcohol charity, formed from the merger of Alcohol Concern and Alcohol Research UK. Driven by a belief that every person deserves to live a full life free from alcohol harm, Alcohol Change UK creates evidence-driven change by working towards five key changes: improved knowledge, better policies and regulation, shifted cultural norms, improved drinking behaviours, and more and better support and treatment.
Instead of an anti-alcohol approach, Alcohol Change UK simply wants to change the way we view and use alcohol. They are aiming to create a future in which people drink as a conscious choice, not a default; where the issues which lead to alcohol problems – like poverty, mental health issues, homelessness – are addressed. Most importantly, Alcohol Change UK wants those who drink too much, and their loved ones, to have access to high-quality support whenever they need it, without shame or stigma.
Alcoholics Anonymous 🔗
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other in order to address a common problem and help each other recover from alcoholism. Every member at AA shares one common goal – to stop drinking. AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organisation or institution and maintains a primary purpose of staying sober and helping other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
AA provides a unique opportunity to connect with others, all under a shared goal of working toward the greater good of the group, as well as spreading the message to others who may need help.
With You 🔗
With You is a charity providing free, confidential support to people experiencing issues with drugs, alcohol or mental health. The charity works with you to support your individual goals, whether that’s staying safe and healthy, making small changes, or stopping an unwanted habit. Help from With You can come in the form of face-to-face interactions from a local service, meetings within your community, or online support.
With You’s approach is reflected in their name – providing a positive place where people can progress, connect with others and get friendly, expert help. It lets people know that they will work alongside them and treat them with warmth, compassion and respect through over 80 local services in England and Scotland.
Drinkaware 🔗
Drinkaware is an independent charity which aims to reduce alcohol-related harm by helping people make better choices about their drinking. The charity believes that change will come from arming yourself with strategies, knowing what triggers you to drink, staying within the low risk drinking guidelines and taking drink-free days.
Drinkaware offers information and advice to help people decide which practical changes are right for them and give tips and advice to form new habits and make those changes stick. They also have a MyDrinkaware app which can help you take the first step towards changing your drinking habits. By tracking units, calories and sleep quality, side-by-side, MyDrinkaware it will guide you towards a brighter mood and healthier lifestyle.
Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) 🔗
Self-Management And Recovery Training (SMART) is a global community of mutual-support groups. At meetings, participants help one another resolve problems with any addiction (to drugs or alcohol or to activities such as gambling or over-eating). SMART follows a four-point program with the following components: motivation for change, dealing with urges, what to do about unhelpful thoughts, emotions, and actions, and how to achieve balance in life.
SMART was created to provide people with a self-empowering way to overcome addictive problems. In our mutual support meetings, offered online and in-person, participants design and implement their own recovery plan to create a more balanced, purposeful, fulfilling, and meaningful life.
Women for Sobriety 🔗
Women for Sobriety (WFS) is a nonprofit organisation, founded in 1975, to help women overcome substance abuse by focusing on the role of identity loss, guilt, and depression. WFS is an abstinence-based, self-help program for women overcoming challenges with alcohol and other drug use. The New Life Program acknowledges the needs women have in recovery – the need to nurture feelings of self-value and self-worth, and the desire to discard feelings of guilt, shame, and humiliation.
WFS programs are based on “acceptance statements” that guide women in developing coping skills focused on emotional growth, spiritual growth, self-esteem, and a healthy lifestyle. Although the physiological recovery from addiction is similar across the sex and gender spectrums, the psychological (emotional) needs of women in recovery are very different from those of men. Women for Sobriety welcomes all expressions of female identity and our peer-supported resources are available to all sisters from the LGBTQIA community.
Secular Organisations for Sobriety (S.O.S.) 🔗
Secular Organisations for Sobriety offers an alternative path to sobriety The groups that operate within their framework welcome anyone looking to find a path to sobriety, including those who are religious; however, they are run in a secular setting.
S.O.S. recognizes that addiction thrives in isolation and emphasises the importance of group interaction in promoting recovery. In opposition to the traditional 12-step model, S.O.S. places the locus of control for achieving and/or maintaining a sober lifestyle within the individual. The network is based upon a respect for any path that is chosen toward sobriety and is not opposed to or in competition with programs offered through other networks.
Loosid 🔗
Loosid is a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive digital platform for the sober community that celebrates the sober lifestyle. Through Loosid, it’s easy to find other people who share your perspective, who know that being sober doesn’t mean life has to be boring. The company follows a philosophy of “live sober, love sober.” In order to live sober, you have to love and embrace the sober life, something you should do together with others.
Loosid includes categories such as sober dating, sobriety help, boozeless guides, chat groups, and rehab guides. Most recently, they’ve introduced SAM, the Sobriety and Addiction Mentor – recovery tool which tracks sobriety, builds habits, promotes connection with a centre or sponsor, produces sobriety reports, and forms a concrete social network.
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The Best Resources to Quit Drinking
Why should I give up drinking?
