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SUD treatment executive, national news contributor & keynote speaker.
Navigation:
- Overview
- Why Might Someone Need Non-12-Step Rehab?
- What Non-12-Step Drug Rehab Programs Are There?
- How Else Can I Embrace Non-12-Step Recovery?
- Find Non-12-Step Rehab Centers
Overview
People tend to think of alcohol and addiction recovery as a strict and disciplined following of the 12 Steps. The reality is, however, that there are many different recovery resources that don’t follow the 12-step tradition. No matter what your source of strength and inspiration for recovery may be, there are programs out there to help you overcome substance use disorder.
Why Might Someone Need Non-12-Step Rehab?
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to substance use treatment. As more and more people find themselves in need of alcohol and drug rehab, they have complex needs that may not specifically align with the traditions and teachings of the 12-step process. Non-12-step rehab programs were established for people who want to pursue recovery but feel as though they need a different approach from the spiritual-based model at the center of 12-step recovery.
What Non-12-Step Drug Rehab Programs Are There?
Everyone embraces and goes about recovery in their own way. It’s important to have a process that works for you, even if it falls out of the standard processes of established programs. Whatever works for you is the best option. There are, however, multiple organized, non-12-step programs that can help you get started in your immediate recovery.
Here are some of the most common types:
- SMART Recovery : An evidenced-based recovery method grounded in rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), SMART Recovery empowers patients through a four-point process of motivation, coping with cravings, living a balanced life, and managing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to substance use disorder. SMART Recovery stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training.
- Secular Organizations for Sobriety (S.O.S.) : S.O.S. offers a nationwide network of meetings for a wide range of mental health issues, including substance use, eating disorders, and more. It is a nonprofit network of autonomous, non-professional local groups dedicated solely to helping individuals achieve and maintain sobriety. They’ve been around since 1985 and rely more on self-motivation and empowerment than spiritual anchoring to help people overcome substance use disorder.
- Lifering Secular Recovery : Lifering is one of the fastest-growing non-12-step drug rehab and recovery movements. It is governed by the “Three S” philosophy of Sobriety, Secularity, and Self-Help and is a volunteer organization offering a growing network of meetings around the country. Lifering guides people away from the belief that they’re powerless over their addiction and encourages them to focus on the life in front of them rather than on the mistakes they made when they were under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
How Else Can I Embrace Non-12-Step Recovery?
In addition to the above options, there are specific organizations for different groups that allow them to draw strength and solidarity from their fellow members. Women for Sobriety, for example, offers women-only meetings around the country to help their members feel safe and empowered to express their struggles.
If you’re not interested in aligning yourself with any specific philosophy in recovery, that’s OK. Your treatment center and therapist will help guide you toward a philosophy that works specifically for you. The most important thing is to recognize the impact that substance use disorder has had on your life and take the steps you need to rebuild a healthy and rewarding life in recovery, whatever that looks like.
Find Non-12-Step Rehab Centers
Use our directory to locate addiction treatment centers that have Non-12-Step programs.
