Alternatives to 12-Step Addiction Recovery

Exclusive Hawaii Rehab Addiction Recovery November 16, 2021

Alternatives to 12-Step Addiction Recovery

Non-12-Step Addiction Treatment

12-step programs ask members to admit they have a lack of control and have them give themselves over to a higher power and search for spiritual meaning in their lives. Although this may work for many people, others may prefer a program that is more secular in nature, or a program that encourages them to find strength and control within themselves to remain sober.

Why Choose a Non-12-Step Approach to Addiction Treatment

Some reasons people choose a non-12-step approach to addiction treatment include:

  •  They do not adhere to traditional methods, instead evolving their practice as new research and findings come out about addiction.
  • Some people prefer to remain in full command over themselves, rather than feeling powerless over their own future. Self-worth and self-control are restored through non-12-step programs.
  • Some people do not believe in a higher power, and it does not make sense to them to appeal to an entity they do not believe in.
  •  Non-12-step programs look at the underlying causes behind the addiction, rather than seeing the addiction as being the center of all the person’s difficulties.
  •  In general, non-12-step programs don’t see addiction as an incurable disease.

Alternative Support Groups to AA and NA Meetings

Some of the common alternative support groups to AA and NA meetings include:

Self-Management and Recovery Training, aka (SMART) Recovery

The most important part of SMART Recovery is its emphasis on self-empowerment over addictive behaviors. It is a self-help, research-based program, with four main points:

  1. Obtaining and maintaining motivation
  2. Learning to manage urges
  3. Handling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors
  4. Finding and striking a balance in life

There are 1.5-hour face-to-face peer meetings, as well as an online message board and a chat room that is open 24 hours a day. You are given homework assignments and a variety of tools, and there are usually socialization opportunities after in-person meetups.

LifeRing Secular Recovery

This group believes there are two people inside each person with a substance use disorder: the “Addict Self” and the “Sober Self” and focuses on weakening the addict and strengthening the sober. Members are asked to find strength and self-control within themselves and support one another through encouraging face-to-face meetings and a thriving online community.

Moderation Management

This group does not require 100% abstinence, targeting early problem drinking and inviting people who see alcohol becoming a problem to join. The idea is to change unsafe habits and problematic behaviors, acknowledging that many people can be healthy and drink alcohol in moderation, following simple rules about limits, obeying the law, risky behaviors, and moderation.

Women For Sobriety (WFS)

A non-profit support group strictly for women, WFS is based on thirteen acceptance statements that focus on responsibility for oneself, positivity, and emotional growth. WFS believes that each person’s actions directly follow their thoughts, so it is important to change the way you think to make long-term behavioral changes. Time is spent each day thinking on the 13 statements, and holistic therapies and treatments are also employed.

Secular Organizations for Sobriety (S.O.S.)

S.O.S. is a secular non-profit, with ever-evolving theories and practices that follow current scientific beliefs. Meetings are spent discussing sobriety, responsibility, and confidentiality, with members holding each other accountable.

Non 12 Step Recovery at the Exclusive Hawaii Rehab

At Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, we use an integrated, holistic approach to healing to bring about a core-level change that will stay with you for life. If you decide to attend our non-12-step rehab for addiction treatment, you will be immersed in a healing, uplifting environment. You will not be forced to share stories about your suffering, nor will you have to attend nightly meetings.

We rarely talk about drugs or alcohol at all in our programs because we believe that drugs and alcohol are not the core problem.  The focus is on addressing underlying beliefs and your mindset, which influence addictive and self-destructive behaviors. You will learn to change patterns of thinking and behaving that are no longer serving you so you can live from your true essence. Through one-on-one and small-group counseling, along with a variety of holistic practices and outdoor experiential therapy in a safe and secure environment, you will alter your outlook on life and gain the skills needed to remain in long-term addiction recovery.

To find out more about Exclusive Hawaii Rehab’s alternative to 12-step recovery, contact us today.