Alternative Addiction Treatment

Just by looking online, you will see that there are countless rehabilitation options available for people struggling with alcohol or drug addiction. If you look further, you will see that addiction specialists advocate for non 12-step rehabilitation. If you have the option to enroll in the traditional methods (Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous) or these non 12-step treatment centers, what is the major difference? Are there benefits to selecting the non-traditional method? Does this matter as far as the success rate is concerned? We are happy to help you understand the differences between the two.

An Alternative Approach

We should begin with the biggest difference in non 12-step drug rehab. Whereas traditional recovery programs treat addiction as an acute problem on its own, these non-traditional methods take the approach that addiction has underlying causes.

Even though the drug and alcohol addiction, on its own, is a vital part in non 12-step addiction treatment, it is not the only component addressed. A major focus is on uncovering the underlying issues that cause the person to turn to substances. The problem with considering substance abuse as an acute problem is claiming it can be cured in 30 days or less, when the physical craving dissipates.

However, after those 30 days, the underlying issues may persist, and can’t be resolved by merely treating the physical reliance. Simply put, the non-traditional options believe that you cannot provide long-term change without addressing underlying causes.

A Different Motivation

The 12-step approach promotes the acceptance of subjection to addiction, emphasizes the need for a Higher Power and emphasizes little to no personal responsibility because of that reliance. Because the individual is treated as powerless, it means that they cannot make long-term changes themselves. Instead, they can only hope to contain the problem for as long as possible by going to meetings and admitting that they are weak and dependent. A relapse is treated as an expected inevitability.

In non 12-step addiction recovery, the goal is to empower the client. These programs aim to let them know that when ready to make a change, they can get as much help as they need, but any lasting change ultimately needs to come from within. By using internal motivation, the person gains another reason to push forward as they experience serious cravings. This is not always easy, and there are many who have to confront difficult truths about themselves in the process. Ultimately, this is the only way to live a sober life. Without this internal motivation to be a better human being, any change is likely to be temporary.

A Different Treatment Approach

Take a moment and look at the basic stages of the traditional 12 step plan. If you believe these look rather rigid and unforgiving, you are not alone. Every person receives the same treatment with AA and NA, whether they manage to keep up with the rest of the group in recovery or not. The individual receives the blame for any potential setback, because many followers consider the 12 step rehab to be infallible.

Keep in mind that shaming someone and blaming them for a relapse (especially at a time that they are likely to feel their worst) is only going to make them less capable of making a change. Imagine that the very people who are supposed to help you, tell you that the program is not to blame – YOU are. This makes people far less likely to return to therapy later on.

Meanwhile, many of the non 12 step programs have highly individualized treatment plans. They understand that no one started relying on drugs or alcohol for the same reasons, so they cannot be treated the same way. These plans are often more flexible. This means that if someone is progressing faster or slower than expected, recovery specialists who monitor non 12-step recovery are able to adjust the program accordingly.

You Can Recover with an Alternative Addiction Treatment

The traditional, 12-step approach suggests that the reliance on drugs and alcohol is an incurable disease. Addicts can only hope to suppress the problem temporarily. While some may feel that this is true for them, many more people feel disenfranchised by this view, believing that they should not subject themselves to being an eternal addict.

During non 12-step addiction recovery, clients learn that remaining sober is likely to be the most challenging thing they will ever have to do. However, the truth is that with non 12-step recovery, you can regain control over your own life. The individual is no longer an addict in recovery, but rather a person who was once addicted.

Time to Move Forward

Surely, we can and should credit the original 12-steps with being the first organized program to help those struggling with dependence and addiction. Unfortunately, the truth is that they have refused to evolve according to our latest understanding of what addiction is and how we can treat it successfully. Non 12 step rehab addiction treatment offers better results than the traditional methods because they have evolved with extensive research.

Non 12-step drug rehab centers across the country offer better long-term results than those facilities that use the 12-step approach. Many use long-term inpatient recovery, meaning that the user enrolls for three months or longer. Oftentimes holistic biophysical drug rehab is an option here as well.

If you are interested in learning more or want to know how non 12 step rehab can help you or someone close to you, talk to a professional right away. Call (866) 644-7911 for a free confidential assessment and review the alternative addiction treatment.