12-step recovery programs are a quite common choice for those who want to drop addictions. However, if you want to explore some alternatives, you have come to the right place.
Why Do People Go With 12 Step Recovery?
This recovery option is not popular for nothing; it has been advertised heavily by doctors, judges, the media, and even politicians.
The major thing that draws people to this option is the price. This recovery program is absolutely free and has no fees for admission or membership. However, the member does contribute to things like the coffee and room rental.
This recovery option also encourages people to make new friendships. While this is not a bad thing, it is not recommended. For instance, if you are in a recovery group for alcohol, staying around your former drinking friends could end up triggering a craving.
Anonymity is another reason most people go with 12-step recovery. Individuals who have issues with substance abuse feel attacked and ashamed due to their problem. Maintaining anonymity helps them feel more open about discussing their problems.
Persons with substance use disorders (SUD) usually feel abashed or oppressed by their dilemmas. Anonymity aids them to acknowledge their issues.
People also go with this option because it is widely available. For instance, a program such as AA will be available in various places in a large community. 12-step recovery is also common because of the lack of judgment.
In an AA program, for instance, everyone in the room has the same issue. As a result, no one will be subject to judgment or criticism.
What Are the Alternatives To 12 Step Programs?
If you want a different approach to rehab non-12-step recovery options are listed below.
- Medication-assisted treatments (MAT)
MAT involves using drugs to manage and control the craving for the psychoactive effects of opioids. These drugs will be administered until the patient is weaned off the opioids.
Here are some of the drugs used in this kind of treatment…
Methadone
This drug is a low-dose opioid. It prevents withdrawal; however, it will not have any psychoactive effects on the patient.
Antabuse (Disulfiram)
This drug acts as negative reinforcement. If the patient consumes alcohol while taking this drug, he/she will experience severe symptoms of a hangover.
Suboxone (Buprenorphine)
This drug is a bit like methadone. However, it can be obtained in various forms. For instance, it is available as a tamper-resistant compound which includes Narcan (naloxone), a drug that reverses opioid reversal.
Vivitrol (Naltrexone)
Naltrexone is usually administered in the form of an injection. This drug can block the psychoactive results of opioids for up to an entire month. A patient on naltrexone cannot get high even if they keep using the opioids. Visit https://www.drugs.com/ to learn more about this drug.
- MM (Moderation Management)
This nonprofit organization teaches alcohol abstinence and moderation. This group has a tool to monitor your alcohol intake in uncomfortable abstinence, contented abstinence, or moderation. You can keep this ledger public to lend and gain support, or you can decide to keep it private.
- Matrix Model
The matrix model is an inclusive and intensive recovery method driven by a therapist. It is designed mainly for patients who are dealing with substance abuse involving stimulants like meth (methamphetamine) and cocaine.
- LifeRing
LifeRing is a non-profit organization that provides addiction recovery groups run by peers. This program stands by the “3-S” principles: Self-Help, Secularity, and Sobriety.
- SOS (Secular Organizations for Sobriety)
With sobriety taking the highest priority, SOS approaches abstinence and recovery in a cognitive way.
- Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART)
The SMART program is a science-based abstinence plan designed to help with cravings and issues without the use of alcohol or drugs.
- Behavioral Therapy
These are evidence and science-based programs which include talk therapies and medically monitored detoxification. Here are the common types of behavioral therapy.
Group Therapy
Although it is similar to peer support groups, group therapy involves the guidance of a trained therapist.
The presence of one’s peers gives the individual more support and challenges them. As a result, group therapy is a significantly more effective method of treatment for patients dealing with substance use disorder.
MET (Motivational Enhancement Therapy)
MET has proven to be a highly effective method of treatment for individuals dealing with alcohol abuse. However, it can also greatly benefit patients struggling with other SUDs by helping them overcome the resistance to treatment.
DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)
This treatment method is similar to CBT. DBT is mainly used to treat women suffering from alcohol abuse, especially when it co-occurs with BPD (borderline personality disorder).
- CBT (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy)
This therapy method helps patients recognize inaccurate and negative thinking, then teaches them how to change them.
This behavioral therapy is also used when dealing with patients with mental health problems such as PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder). Bear in mind, treatment for OCD particularly is also available. Click here to learn more about CBT.
Non-12-Step Drug Rehabilitation — What Are the Advantages?
The biggest thing which separates other addiction rehab programs from 12-step programs is motivation and responsibility.
12-step programs dictate that addictions are a result of wrong choices and the effects which abused substances have physically. On the other hand, other rehab programs teach patients that their addiction might not entirely be caused by them.
Patients are taught that their full rehabilitation is their own responsibility. To prevent a relapse, they will need to maintain vigilance and be ready to do the involved work.
Non-12-step programs have proven to be an effective way of helping patients dealing with substance use disorders and other mental health issues.
Conclusion
Non-12-step rehab programs are without a doubt, an effective means of treating patients suffering from addictions and disorders. Regardless of the program a patient goes with, he will need to be committed and diligent to get the full benefits of the treatment.
There are various rehab programs out there, and every patient will find the method which works best for them.