What Is Tempest Recovery? Program Review

Key Takeaways

• Tempest is an online alcohol recovery program - Jump to Section
• Tempest is ideal for people wanting to quit drinking without AUD diagnosis - Jump to Section
• Pros include affordability and privacy; cons include limited support - Jump to Section
• Holly Whitaker, a blogger and author, founded Tempest Recovery - Jump to Section
• Tempest is among many alcohol addiction treatments, like Monument and SMART Recovery - Jump to Section

What is Tempest Recovery? Program Review

Tempest is an online alcohol recovery treatment program. The program is subscription-based and primarily includes online support. There is also access to local alcohol use disorder counselors.

The program uses a series of online lessons designed by AUD professionals. There is also an online community that offers peer support to members.  

The overall goal of the program is to help people who want to change their relationship with alcohol.

How Much Does Tempest Cost?

A basic Tempest membership costs $41 per month. Members can pay out-of-pocket or with their health savings or flexible spending account money. The program doesn’t accept traditional health insurance coverage.

Annual memberships are available at a 30% discount.

Additional services are available at a higher rate. 

For instance, four one-on-one counseling sessions are available for a flat rate of $299.

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Should I Use Tempest Recovery?

The program is ideal for people who want to stop drinking but have not been diagnosed with AUD. It’s also best for people willing to try non-traditional methods or blend traditional and non-traditional recovery methods.

According to Whitaker, the program can help people from all walks of life. However, she designed it with women and minority groups in mind.

Whitaker explains, “Besides Women for Sobriety, every single recovery system was created in the image of men, by men, for men. We built Tempest for individuals historically underrepresented or oppressed in our society, and with the assumption that you don’t have male privilege or need to be broken down. We assume you need to be built up.”

Whitaker continues, “[In the current recovery landscape], we don’t account for a spectrum, and focus on a binary—alcoholic vs. normal drinker—thus we have absolutely no effective system to treat those on their way to end-spectrum addiction. There is no ‘pre-addiction.”

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Pros and Cons of Online Addiction Recovery

Pros of online addiction recovery include:

• No need to qualify for or receive an AUD diagnosis from a medical professional
• Can be used by non-alcoholics who want to reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption
• Affordability
• Treatment access without leaving your home
• Privacy
• Access to free resources
• A blend of a traditional and non-traditional approach

Cons of an online addiction recovery program include:

• Limited accountability – you’re only answering to yourself
• Limited support
• Medication isn’t available to help with withdrawal symptoms and/or cravings
• Expensive, especially when someone needs long-term support

Tempest Recovery Method

Tempest takes a holistic approach to recovery. It addresses four factors in recovery:

• Thoughts
• Body
• Relationships
• Environment

Participants use a variety of tools to help with recovery, including:

• Breathwork
• Meditation
• Movement
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Positive psychology
• Yoga
• Self-care practices, including hot baths and tea
• Dancing
• Singing
• Aromatherapy
• Mantras
• Books
• Anger release practices

Additionally, the program is based on a seven-step manifesto that includes:

• Imagining their future without alcohol
• Accepting that alcohol can be a problem even without an official alcoholic or AUD diagnosis
• Hitting “rock bottom” isn’t necessary to seek support
• Knowing that you have multiple recovery options
• Learning and recovery begin immediately with no time spent on learning why alcohol is unhealthy
• Recovery experience of Tempest’s support system benefits program participants
• Community support makes recovery easier

A major part of Tempest Recovery is education and peer support. 

The program uses evidence-based practices and seeks to empower participants.

Each week, participants get a new recovery lecture, a Q&A with Whitaker, and a guided meditation.

Additionally, participants gain access to recovery tools, including podcasts and books.

After eight weeks, participants can enroll in Tempest Aftercare. This long-term support option provides access to additional content and an online community.

Who Founded Tempest Recovery?

Blogger, author, and recovering alcoholic Holly Whitaker founded the program. She began her recovery journey at what seemed to others like the height of success. But in reality, Whitaker felt her life was out of control. She struggled with anxiety, depression, bulimia, and alcoholism, as well as other drug use.

Whitaker’s doctor referred her to Alcoholics Anonymous. 

However, this wasn’t a good fit, nor was rehab. The modern-day disease model of addiction didn’t resonate with Whitaker, so she embarked on a customized recovery approach based, in part, on Allen Carr’s book Easy Way to Control Alcohol.

According to Whitaker, she wanted a “modern, affordable, beautiful, accessible, empowering, self-directed recovery.”

After 30 days sober, she began a blog about sobriety. She eventually wrote a practical recovery guide, Quit Like a Woman. The book gained popularity when celebrity Chrissy Teigen credited her sobriety to Whitaker’s approach in an Instagram video.

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Treatment for Alcohol Addiction

Tempest Recovery is one of many treatment programs for people struggling with alcohol use.

Monument Recovery

The Monument program is similar to Tempest. Monument offers a personalized approach to treatment. Participants have access to:

• Support groups
• Recovery professionals
• Medication
• And more

Monument offers long-term support for alcohol addiction. It takes into account each participant’s life circumstances and drinking habits. Different membership plans are available based on the support needed each week.

SMART Recovery 

SMART Recovery is a recovery approach available online and in person. The goal is to move people from their addictive lifestyle to a positive one.

People in the SMART program learn skills that help them overcome addiction. It’s a science-backed program that empowers participants. It provides access to addiction professionals and volunteers who used SMART to recover.

SMART participants attend online or in-person meetings, design and implement custom recovery plans, and achieve balance and meaning in their lives.

For those looking for something other than an online program, the options include:

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient treatment is a full-time live-in program providing round-the-clock medical supervision. Inpatient programs include:

• Medically supervised detox
• Group counseling
• Individual therapy
• Support groups, including 12-step program participation

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment provides onsite treatment without staying overnight. Participants spend several hours per week in treatment. These programs include:

• Individual counseling
• Group therapy
• Access to medication

When choosing any professional treatment program, consider:

• Location
• Cost and health insurance coverage
• Accreditation
• Philosophy

Summary

Tempest Recovery is a holistic recovery program created by Holly Whitaker. It includes various self-care tools and practices that help people reduce or eliminate their alcohol intake. 

It’s a great option for many people, especially those who prefer privacy. However, it’s not right for everyone. People with alcohol use disorder might need more support for a successful recovery.

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