Exploring Alternatives to the 12-Step Recovery Approach

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This is the time of year when those who made lofty resolutions for the New Year might be struggling to find ways to keep them. One of those struggles may be the resistance to the traditional 12-step recovery program. 

The go-to programs of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) have helped countless individuals on the journey to sobriety and recovery. With a robust, supportive community and a guiding principals program, the 12-step method works for millions. But it’s not without issues, and it’s definitely not for everyone. However, until quite recently, alternatives to the 12-step approach to addiction simply weren’t available.

Today, other options have gained recognition as alternative approaches to the traditional path.

In this article, we’ll explain the traditional 12-step program, why it doesn’t work for some, and examine alternative methods. By taking a closer look at what these approaches offer, their effectiveness, tools, and resources, and how they can offer a different perspective on recovery, you’ll be able to determine which type is the right one for you.

What is the 12-step program?

The original 12-step program was first developed in the 1930s by founders Bill Wilson and Bob Smith as a tool to overcome alcoholism. The basic concept is a model where people help each other to achieve and maintain sobriety through community and to surrender to a “higher power.”

While Bill Wilson considered a traditional Christian version of God to be the higher power, the program has expanded the definition of a higher power to be your own interpretation—for example—God could be the universe or the natural world.

Twelve-step programs are still the standard treatment for various types of addiction. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) found that 12-step models are used by over 65% of treatment centres nationwide. In comparison, according to the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse and Addiction, 91% used the 12-step method as the most common recovery resource.

Nearly 100 years after its founding, the AA model of 12-step programs is a powerful and helpful resource for many people. Found globally in over 180 nations, the AA method supports all kinds of substance addictions and compulsions, from drug addiction and compulsive gambling to sex and overeating.

What are the 12 Steps?

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Developed initially as a personal and spiritual outline, the steps include admitting your life is out of control, believing in the strength of a higher power, making amends, helping others and taking your recovery one day at a time. 

The 12 Steps, as outlined by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), are:

  1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable.
  2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
  3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
  4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
  5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
  6. We are entirely ready to have God remove all these character defects.
  7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
  8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
  9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when doing so would injure them or others.
  10. Continued to take personal inventory and, when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
  11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
  12. Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and practice these principles in all our affairs.

Criticism and limitations of the 12-Step programmes

There is plenty of criticism around the traditional program as many people can’t get past the spiritual component and liberal use of the word “God.” The religious concept is simply too big of a deterrent and turn-off to pursue it further.

Others in the medical profession have criticized the 12-step programs, stating the cult-like approach that relies on the actions of God while ignoring the scientific approach to addiction research.

However, recent studies have shown the methods employed in AA programs provide similar benefits as those participating in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and motivational enhancement therapy (MET), with those attending 12-step meetings showing higher percentages of continuous abstinence and remission.

Whatever your feelings are—for or against the 12-steps—millions have found success with the community aspect of “Keep coming back. It works if you work it and work it ’cause you’re worth it.”

Alternative approaches to 12-step recovery programs

Alternative group therapies

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For those who aren’t religious or spiritual, there are now a number of secular approaches to addiction treatment.

The top five most popular social support group alternatives are:

  1. SMART Recovery
  2. Refuge Recovery
  3. Women for Sobriety
  4. Secular Organizations for Sobriety (S.O.S.)
  5. LifeRing Secular Recovery

These groups offer both in-person and online meeting options with social support.

Alternative holistic approaches

A holistic recovery approach examines the individual’s past, present, and goals for the future to formulate an individualized recovery plan. This personalized method encompasses a wide range of methods and philosophies and takes into account not just lifestyle and beliefs but also any co-occurring disorders that may be treated in addition to substance abuse.

Alternative therapies that address the body, mind, and spirit are also scientifically backed and linked to relapse prevention without any of the religious dogma you might encounter in a traditional 12-step program. Holistic therapies, such as mindfulness, meditation, nutrition, and movement, promote personal empowerment and self-awareness and develop the resilience necessary for long-term recovery.

Centres for Health and Healing: A comprehensive approach to the 12 steps

At CFHH, we understand that support groups can be helpful in long-term recovery but may not align with your core belief system.

As science-based addiction treatment evolves, our non-12-step program has gained recognition as an empowering approach. We offer an alternative to step away from the traditional path with our comprehensive Mindful Mental Health approach combined with individual treatment plans tailored to your unique needs and values.

Our treatment centres use a variety of scientific, evidence-based addiction therapies combined with holistic approaches to examine the root causes of your substance abuse — body, mind and spirit.

Your non-12-step tailored recovery program may include the following:

  • Comprehensive Assessment
  • Personalised Individual therapy
  • Group therapy
  • Family counseling
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
  • Motivational Interviewing (MI)
  • Co-occurring disorders treatment / dual diagnosis treatment
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and other trauma therapies
  • Mindfulness and Meditation
  • Yoga and Exercise Therapy
  • Nutritional Counseling
  • Skills Development
  • Aftercare Planning

Focusing on long-term wellness and offering an alternative to the traditional 12-step recovery plan, our approach is highly adaptable to each client’s individual goals and values. At CFHH, our clients learn the tools for lifelong recovery without lifelong meetings.

We understand choosing the right recovery center is a decision not to be made lightly. If you’re struggling with drug abuse or alcohol abuse, but the 12-step recovery approach doesn’t resonate with you, give us a call. We’ve helped thousands of people take back their lives from addiction every step of the way. We can help you, too.

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