The Atlantic reported an Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly survey indicated 81 percent of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) newcomers said they stopped attending program meetings within the first month. Furthermore, the survey revealed only 10 percent of respondents continued to attend AA meetings after 90 days.
To date, 12-step recovery programs have helped millions of patients overcome addiction. However, it is important to note that these programs are not ideal for every patient, and those who are searching for an effective alternative may want to consider a non 12-step recovery program.
What Are the Key Differences Between 12-Step and Non 12-Step Recovery Programs?
Like a 12-step recovery program, a non 12-step plan will require hard work and effort. Comparatively, 12-step and non 12-step recovery programs emphasize different approaches to help a patient overcome addiction.
In a 12-step program, a patient will take a step-by-step approach to identify and evaluate an addiction based on his or her behavior and substance abuse. The program emphasizes the idea that a patient is helpless to control his or her addiction and must rely on a “higher power” to manage this addiction.
On the other hand, a non 12-step program involves analysis and treatment of a behavior that leads to addiction as well as the cause of the behavior itself.
The underlying cause of addiction is a combination of cognitive and emotional issues that manifest themselves into behaviors. If a person changes the way he or she thinks and develops new and more adaptive behaviors, the person’s feelings will change. As a result, this will change the subsequent addictive behaviors, and long-term results will become a reality.
What Is Non 12-Step Recovery?
In a non 12-step recovery program, a patient will receive treatment for substance dependency and the underlying causes of dependency. There are many different approaches to non 12-step recovery, and some of the most common non 12-step treatment programs include:
1. Art Therapy
Art therapy, aka art psychotherapy, blends traditional psychotherapeutic theories and techniques with a deep understanding of the psychological elements of the creative process. It encourages patients to embrace the healing power of the art-making process and express their inner creativity to drive personal fulfillment and recovery.
With art therapy, a patient can use art as a symbolic tool for communication. Art therapy emphasizes the use of chalk, clay, markers and other art materials—all of which can help a patient produce powerful artwork that expresses complex emotions, conflicts and communication issues.
2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) promotes the exploration of the beliefs, images and thoughts associated with an addictive behavior and the coping process behind it.
Typically, a CBT program consists of functional analysis and skills training.
The functional analysis portion involves collaboration between a patient and therapist to discuss the feelings, thoughts and circumstances that a patient experiences before or after using drugs, along with identification of behaviors that could lead to a relapse.
In the skills training phase, a patient will examine ways to cope with addictive behaviors and learn methods to deal with with challenging circumstances and situations that otherwise could lead to alcoholic or drug episodes.
3. Family Program Therapy
Addiction affects both a patient and his or her family, and family program therapy enables a patient to address the damage to his or her personal relationships while still in treatment. Family program therapy also allows family members to understand how a patient is working to improve these relationships as part of a treatment program.
Ultimately, family program therapy lays the foundation for the renewal of family relationships. It encourages a patient to explain his or her addiction recovery to family members. Plus, family program therapy allows family members to support a patient and help him or her remain sober.
4. Pain Management Therapy
Pain management therapy teaches patients about the differences between chronic pain management and addiction. By doing so, it encourages patients to find safe, healthy ways to control emotional and physical pain.
As part of pain management therapy, a therapist will help a patient discover a long-term solution to pain. A therapist will use one-on-one consultations to help a patient identify the psychological characteristics behind pain and ensure this individual can find ways to minimize pain without alcohol or drugs.
5. Positive Approach Therapy
Positive approach therapy is designed to help a patient overcome the cycle of negative thinking. It teaches a patient about positive thinking, personal freedom and moving forward from past failures.
With positive approach therapy, a patient can embark on a journey of self-discovery to understand his or her strengths and prepare to deal with day-to-day challenges. That way, a patient will be ready to identify challenges, remain calm, cool and collected in difficult situations and circumstances and maintain a positive outlook.
In addition, psychoeducational group therapy remains one of the most popular non 12-step treatment programs.
Group therapy enables a group of six to 10 patients to engage with one another and can be informative, entertaining and nurturing. It allows patients to learn why people do the things that they do and how to alter the negative internal dialogue that often keeps a patient from breaking free from addiction.
A patient may realize that he or she is not the only person struggling with addiction after participating in group therapy. In fact, group therapy can serve as a collaborative brainstorming session, ensuring a patient can speak openly about his or her problems and learn from peers at the same time.
Group therapy encourages a diverse group of patients to work together to resolve problems. It enables patients to talk and listen to one another, which commonly allows an individual to put his or her own problems into perspective.
Non 12-Step Recovery Offers a Viable Option for Addiction Treatment
For patients who are searching for addiction treatment but have struggled with a 12-step program, a non 12-step plan may be a strong alternative option. Compared to their 12-step counterpart, some of the bigger distinctions of non 12-step recovery programs include greater flexibility, additional control and complete treatment.
With non 12-step, patients can choose from multiple treatment options that support their behaviors, emotions and thought processes. One-on-one counseling, rehab programs and other treatment options are available, and a patient can participate in a custom non 12-step treatment program to overcome addictive behaviors and reduce the risk of relapses. A non 12-step program also gives a patient the ability to select a treatment program based on his or her individual needs and identify and address the root causes of addictive behaviors.
In a non 12-step program, a patient receives treatment for the behavior of an addiction along with the thought processes behind this behavior. A non 12-step program patient is fully supported throughout his or her addiction treatment—emotionally, physically and psychologically. Non 12-step programs are ideal for patients looking to understand the underlying cause of an addiction, learn coping skills to deal with the behavior and resolve the underlying conflict.
Dr. George Cave is a psychotherapist that specializes in addiction treatment and the family dynamics involved in rehabilitation. He works with patients at Malibu Hills Treatment Center and Prominence Treatment Center, two non 12-step rehab centers in California.
The views, opinions and positions expressed within these guest posts are those of the author alone and do not represent those of Becker’s Hospital Review/Becker’s Healthcare. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The copyright of this content belongs to the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with them.
