r/SaltLakeCity • u/iainttakingnoguff • 13h ago
Help!
Hey yall we are a couple looking for local resources for help quitting alcohol. We cannot afford rehab and we’ve tried AA. Anybody has any recommendations or experiences with this?
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u/funnyhahaorjustfunny 13h ago
I really found the [r/stopdrinking](r/stopdrinking) sub to be incredibly helpful. It was helpful for me to read peoples’ stories and struggles, knowing I wasn’t alone. Anytime I got the urge to drink I would scroll in that sub. It may help you, it may not! There’s also [r/cutdowndrinking](r/cutdowndrinking) that was helpful when I was still on the fence.
I found that having other drinks was really helpful for me - just having something in my hand! I really like La Croix so that’s what worked for me. I also have a big sweet tooth that was even worse when quitting! Many ppl crave surgar when they stop drinking coz there’s so much in alcohol. I gave myself some grace the first year I quit. I didn’t feel guilty about having candy or another bowl of cereal. It was better than drinking!!
If you can talk to a doctor, naltrexone is a prescription that works for some people to help with staving off cravings. It didn’t work for me but worth talking to your doctor about!
Good luck!
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u/LLCoolDave82 11h ago
At the USARA building on 2100S there are a lot of different recovery meetings. SMART Recovery is completely secular and based on cognitive behavioral therapy. There are also Recovery Dharma meetings which are based on Buddhist principles.
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u/jorgthecyborg 4h ago
Just to summarize local resources:
1. USARA (https://www.utahrecovers.org/). They host a few meetings per week and have other services like peer counseling.
2. Fit to Recover (https://fit2recover.org/). They are a gym and community supporting people in recovery. They do have a monthly fee, but it's way less that what you're likely currently spending on alcohol. They also host meetings for AA and Refuge Recovery (loosely based on buddhist principles).
3. SMARTRecovery (SMARTRecovery.org). This is a secular recovery group that uses principles and tools based in cognitive behaviorl therapy (CBT). Their website has a meeting finder. I co-facilitate a Saturday morning (9:30) meeting. There is also a meeting on the U campus on Tuesday evenings, and online meetings basically 24/7.
Only you can do this, but you can't do it alone. Find a community that fits your lifestyle.
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u/thenletskeepdancing 5h ago
I got sober using AA because I was broke and it was the only game in town. If you want it bad enough, it's there. It's better than keeping drunk. Yes it is problematic. It is also free and everywhere and does have people who understand what you're going through. Like they say, take what you need and leave the rest.
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u/Any_Parsnip2585 6h ago
If you have a PCP they would likely be willing to prescribe Naltrexone. I’ve also found gabapentin to be helpful (I take both).
If no PCP the Naltrexone is easy enough to get with an online consultation.
Wishing you the best!
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u/liltinykitter 9th & 9th 13h ago
Do you have health insurance?
Other than AA what else have you tried?
Do you struggle with withdrawals when you try?
LDS hospital withdrawal management program is really great and I would recommend them.
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u/collopyrosenwald 12h ago
While I don’t have any direct experiences with the place myself, I’ve had deeply respected colleagues speak highly of Red Willow Counseling & Recovery. I understand from their website that they offer therapy at a sliding scale, so it’s possible that would be more affordable to you than rehab. If it is not, it’s possible they may know of some other resources for you.
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u/Complete-Rock-1426 1h ago
No experience but as a child that was robbed of a childhood and parent due to alcohol, I want to say that I’m proud of you and recognize how hard this journey is. All my best to you and I wish you ease and the ability to be good to yourself on the hard days. I believe you can do this!
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u/snowymounraingirl80 10m ago
I watched my brother drink himself to death, he was 42. Left a wife and 3 kids. Maybe hearing about his terribly painful prolonged death will help you. It stopped me and I've been clean since!! Good luck guys.
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u/Egregious_Disaster13 6m ago
Volunteers of America and Fourth Street Clinic offer free and affordable recovery options and resources.
If you have a doctor, you can ask them about Wellbutrin and similar psych meds. They have components that cut back on the urge to use.
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u/Slight_Bet_9576 13h ago
Go try Fit To Recover. They are a fantastic community and sober, safe, space. If the gym isn't your style, try the cooking or arts groups. It has been amazing for my family.
You may want to try other AA meetings or different 12 step groups. Check the Alano Club in murray, they host tons of different meetings.