Addiction may feel like a hopeless situation, but if you or someone you love is struggling, there is help. While overcoming addiction can sometimes feel like an insurmountable challenge, there are effective solutions for treating it. Finding the one that is right for you is important, because it will increase your chances of success.
If you have tried to quit on your own and been unable to do so, an inpatient or outpatient rehab center may be the answer. Rehab has helped millions of people from all walks of life overcome their addiction. If you have reached to point where you are ready to change, and be free of addiction, there are many treatment options available to you.
Finding the rehab that best suites your needs is important. There are two basic types of rehab: 12-step based rehab centers and non-12 step rehab centers. Although 12-step programs have shown to be successful in treating addiction and alcoholism, there is no one size fits all solution to addiction. For this reason, you may want to consider non twelve step rehab.
Finding a rehab with a treatment philosophy that resonates with you can increase your chances of success. Many people have experienced success in twelve step programs, and continue to enjoy being clean and sober. However, some have found their core principles to either be lacking, be too restrictive or to not align with personal beliefs. In addition, there may be other reasons twelve step treatment may not work for a person.
About Non-12 Step Rehab Centers
There are different types of non twelve step programs, with different philosophies on treating addiction. Some rehabs focus on therapy, self-esteem building and physical and mental health. Some take a holistic approach. Some may be religious in nature. When searching for a non twelve step rehab, it is important that you find out what their treatment entails so that you can be sure that it aligns with your values and needs.
What Are Some Reasons To Choose A Non Twelve Step Rehab?
Again, while the 12-step approach to addiction recovery has been beneficial to many people over the years, for some, it simply doesn’t align with their beliefs and values. If you enter a 12-step treatment program believing that the twelve steps can’t possibly work for you, you will probably be right.
Attitudes About Addiction
A big difference between these types of rehabs is the belief that addiction is a disease. This is a core belief of 12-step programs. Many non-12 step rehabs dispute this, viewing addiction as a choice and a challenge that can be overcome. Another common theme among 12-step programs is that addicts are “powerless” over their disease.
Religion And Spirituality
Another issue that some have with 12-step recovery is the spiritual aspect of the program. Participants are encouraged to find a higher power “of their understanding” and to pray. While members are not forced or coerced into adopting a particular spiritual belief, and there are plenty of non-religious and athiest 12-step members, some still feel uncomfortable with the frequent mentions of God, spirituality, prayer and religion.
Curable Vs. Non-Curable
A disease is defined as being chronic, debilitating, progressive and incurable. This is the belief that twelve step programs have about addiction. For this reason, members who get clean and sober are encouraged to continue attending 12-step meetings and being involved with 12-step activities such as stepwork.
Non twelve step rehabs do not share this practice, and aside from some aftercare counseling, do not generally prescribe continued meetings or activities, although some may.
Medication
Some non-12 step rehab centers may take a more medical approach to addiction recovery. This may include prescribing medication for opiate addiction, alcohol addiction or addiction to stimulants.
Twelve step rehabs often frown on medication unless absolutely necessary, including psychiatric medications. For this reason, persons who have a mental illness, such as clinical depression, anxiety disorder or bipolar disorder may be put off by the sometimes negative attitudes about medication in 12-step programs.
Alternative Therapies
Non-12 step rehabs often offer alternative treatments and therapies that you will not find in a twelve step program. Because twelve step rehabs often simply focus on the disease aspect of addiction, they may not always treat underlying physiological or mental causes or issues.
Some treatment centers offer holistic treatments such as accupuncture, yoga and meditation classes, bodywork and more. Some may take a specific spiritual approach, incorporating Eastern spiritual or Native American practices.
One of the reasons that someone may prefer a non-12 step rehab is the wider variety of services and alternate treatments that are available.
Trauma Treatment
There is a strong link between trauma and drug and alcohol addiction. For this reason, many people who seek treatment for addiction find it helpful to address those issues in order to break free from addiction. Some non-12 step rehab centers specialize in treating trauma as an underlying issue. Intensive one-on-one counseling is offered, which is not generally a feature of twelve step rehabs.
Choosing The Rehab That Is Right For You
No matter what type of rehab you choose, it is important to ask questions and find the treatment that will work for you. If twelve step programs are not your thing, then you will most likely not benefit from them. It may be time to look into alternatives.
An easy and thorough way to search for non-12 step rehabs is through SoberRecovery.com. Here you will be able to browse through an extensive database of both non twelve step and twelve step treatment centers, including those that are specifically for teens, adults, men and women, along with other features and amenities.
Paying For Rehab
If you are concerned about paying for rehab, there is a good chance that your insurance will cover some or all of the costs of rehab. You can find out easily at RehabReviews.com
No matter what type of rehab you choose, know that there is a solution for you and your loved one. Freedom from addiction or alcoholism is possible, and a new life may be closer than you think.
[Source:Drugabuse.gov, Drugabuse.gov]