12-step rehab programs are a popular choice of treatment amongst those struggling with addiction, as well as several other behavioral health issues. Of course, some people prefer a more secular approach to recovery.
There are quite a few non-12-step recovery programs that cater to those who prefer less traditional recovery support. If you are looking for a program like this, we can help. Royal Life Detox offers an extensive continuum of care. This provides our clients with the help and support they need.
What Are Recovery Support Groups?
Recovery support groups are communities for people who are going through similar recovery processes. These groups provide a safe and supportive space for individuals. These spaces allow them to share their experiences throughout recovery.
From their challenges to their successes, these groups help them connect with others who understand what they are going through. There are recovery support groups for a variety of issues, including:
- Substance abuse recovery
- Mental health conditions
- Eating disorders
- Chronic illnesses
These groups are facilitated by peers who have experience in recovery themselves. Here, people can find a sense of belonging and encouragement. This can be crucial for people who are trying to overcome challenges.
How Do Addiction Recovery Programs Help?
Addiction recovery programs can help those struggling with substance abuse issues in many ways. Not only do they offer the structure and routine people need during the early stages of recovery, but they also provide a sense of community and education opportunities.
Structure and Routine
Structure and routine are two major components of the recovery process. Without this, staying committed to the recovery journey can be hard. Recovery programs offer the structure and routine individuals need to stay on track and avoid distractions and temptations as they re-adjust to sober living.
Sense of Community
Recovery programs create a supportive environment. They allow people to connect with others who have also struggled. These individuals understand the hardships that can come with recovery. Having a strong community can be a powerful motivator for lasting sobriety.
Education
Recovery programs also teach individuals about their addiction. This includes factors that can contribute to substance abuse and how to identify triggers that could lead to relapse. Through this education, individuals can develop the necessary knowledge and recovery strategies. These can help them navigate the challenges of recovery more easily and avoid relapse.
What Are 12-Step Recovery Programs?
12-step programs are self-help groups designed to provide support for individuals in recovery. This can range anywhere from recovery from addictions to compulsive behaviors. The 12 steps were originally written in the 1930s for the organization Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
This model has since adapted to address various dependencies, including drugs, gambling, and overeating. The programs emphasize a step-by-step approach to recovery, group support, and a higher power. This, of course, can be interpreted spiritually or non-religiously, depending on the person.
12-step groups have much to offer those in recovery. They can provide a sense of belonging and mentorship from those who have successfully gone through their own recovery journeys. They also offer tools and help build healthy coping mechanisms to prevent relapse.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship focused on helping individuals who struggle with alcoholism. Founded in 1935, AA is a global network of group meetings. These offer a space where alcoholics can share their experiences and goals with each other.
Their core text, often called the “Big Book,” outlines the program’s philosophy and methods. This includes the famous Twelve Steps of Recovery. Anyone who is looking to stop drinking is eligible for membership.
AA emphasizes a non-professional, peer-support approach to recovery. The program incorporates a concept of a “higher power” to help individuals achieve sobriety. It is up to each individual member how they choose to perceive this higher power.
Narcotics Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a support group program created to help people who are struggling with drug addiction. This nonprofit fellowship provides a safe and supportive space for people to share experiences and help each other overcome addiction.
Similar to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), NA uses a twelve-step approach. This offers a framework for achieving abstinence and living a fulfilling life. NA is open to anyone struggling with any kind of drug addiction, including prescription medications.
NA meetings are held regularly in various locations, both online and in person. Meetings provide a platform for members to connect, share their stories, and offer encouragement to each other on the road to recovery.
Adult Children of Alcoholics
Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA) is another popular 12-step program. It aims to help people who grew up in a household impacted by alcoholism and other forms of dysfunction. This group provides space for people to share their experiences growing up in unsafe and toxic environments.
Gambling Anonymous
Gambling Anonymous (GA) is another well-known support group program. It is specifically designed to help those who struggle with compulsive gambling. This fellowship allows people to share their experiences with gambling and receive support from people who understand this struggle.
GA meetings take place in safe and supportive environments. The organization offers both online and in-person meetings, allowing members flexibility in their healing. Their primary goal is to help members stop gambling and live fulfilling lives free from addiction.
What About Non-12-Step Rehab Programs?
12-step programs have been a mainstay in addiction recovery for decades. However, they are not the only option available to those in recovery. Non-12-step programs offer different philosophies and methods than a traditional 12-step approach.
They may not emphasize a higher power or the concept of complete abstinence for everyone. These programs often take a more individualized approach. They tailor treatment plans to address the specific needs and causes of each person’s addiction rather than treating these issues singularly.
Women for Sobriety
Women for Sobriety (WFS) is another secular peer-support program. It was designed specifically for women overcoming substance use disorders (SUDs). Founded in 1975, WFS is the first program of its kind. It addressed the unique challenges and experiences that women face in recovery.
Unlike some programs, WFS has a secular approach. This program emphasizes self-empowerment. This allows women to develop a sense of personal responsibility and achievement in overcoming addiction.
LifeRing Secular Recovery
LifeRing Secular Recovery (LSR) is a great option for those seeking addiction recovery support without a religious or spiritual component. LifeRing promotes complete abstinence from alcohol and drugs as a core principle for recovery.
Rather than referring to a higher power, LifeRing focuses on individual empowerment and self-help strategies. Meetings provide a safe space for people to share their stories and learn from each other.
Refuge Recovery
Refuge Recovery is a unique program that blends Buddhist principles with addiction recovery. This program draws inspiration from the teachings of Buddha. It offers a path to understanding the causes of addiction and cultivating inner peace to overcome it.
Refuge Recovery offers a structured program with various tools and practices. This includes meditation, personal reflection, and group support. The program helps individuals understand the nature of suffering and the path to alleviate it, including addiction.
Secular Organizations for Sobriety
Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS) is a network of self-supporting recovery groups. These aim to help those in recovery from addiction without the use of a religious or spiritual component.
Unlike 12-step programs that often reference a higher power, SOS focuses on individual empowerment. It encourages members to take personal responsibility and build practical tools for achieving and maintaining sobriety.
The Freedom Model for Addiction
The Freedom Model for Addiction is a more controversial approach to addiction recovery. It differs significantly from traditional methods, claiming that addiction is a behavioral issue caused by misinformation and faulty beliefs about substances.
They emphasize individual choice and personal responsibility. This model argues that people can choose to stop using substances if they understand the negative consequences. It emphasizes self-help through its materials and coaching programs. Their ultimate goal is to change individuals’ thinking patterns about addiction.
Do Non-12-Step Programs Use Religion in Recovery?
Non-12-step programs typically do not use religion in recovery. Traditional 12-step programs prioritize a spiritual component in their approach to sobriety. In these programs, a higher power serves as a key aspect of recovery.
Non-12-step programs, however, generally take a secular approach. This focuses on individual empowerment, self-help strategies, and building a solid support system. They may incorporate elements like mindfulness or meditation. However, these practices are usually presented from a non-religious perspective.
Where Can I Find Non-12-Step Rehab Programs Near Me?
If you are looking for a non-12-step drug rehab, there are several options available. Many secular recovery programs offer in-person meetings across the country, as well as online meetings, to ensure you can access the support you need.
The best non-12-step rehab option for you may vary depending on your specific situation and needs. Royal Life Detox can help you understand your recovery options and help you find a non-12-step treatment that is right for you.
Other Recovery Options
If you are struggling with addiction, there are many recovery options available to you. While non-12-step rehab can be helpful, you may require more intensive support during the early stages of recovery.
In this case, a professional treatment center like Royal Life Detox can provide you with the support you need. We offer the support and structure you need to address not just your surface-level addiction but its underlying causes as well.
Aftercare at a Treatment Center
Aftercare is a crucial part of the recovery journey that begins after you complete a treatment program at a center. Royal Life Detox incorporates several traditional 12-step and non-12-step frameworks into our aftercare programs.
We have you covered from partial hospitalization (PHP) to intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) and our various therapy formats. Our facility is equipped with the tools and resources you need to achieve lasting sobriety.
Sober Living
Adjusting to independent sobriety after completing treatment can feel overwhelming for many people. That is why we offer sober living opportunities to our guests after completing higher levels of treatment.
This provides them with stability during early recovery and the ability to practice accountability and responsibility for their behaviors and actions. At Royal Life Centers, guests practice important life skills. These include impulse control and communication, which can be essential for their recovery.
If you are interested in learning more about our programs, you can reach out to us at any time. Our devoted admissions team is available 24/7 to help you understand your treatment options and get you started on the road to recovery as soon as possible.
