Recovery Options other than 12-Step.

I know a lot of people run from recovery when they have an alcohol or substance abuse problem because they are atheist, or just don't believe in the Higher Power 12 Step basics. 12 Step has worked for me, but I do know that it doesn't work for everyone... So here are some links for y'all to check out if you'd rather get into a recovery program that doesn't involve 12 Step Basics. Hope this is helpful!

Smart Recovery
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SMART Recovery? offers free scientifically based mutual help groups (face-to-face and online) for overcoming addictive behaviors.

Rational Recovery

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Rational Recovery is the concept of immediate self-recovery through planned abstinence put into practice, using an easily-learned thinking skill called Addictive Voice Recognition Technique? (AVRTsm). Drawn from the experience of people who recovered on their own, AVRT helps you take back your life from substance addiction -- and from recovery!

Life Ring

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The LifeRing program features an open architecture: how you maintain your sobriety and how you rebuild your life is your choice. There are no Steps and no sponsors. Building on the abstinence platform, you construct your own individual recovery program in a cooperative environment. Because you design and build it yourself, you become deeply invested in your recovery, and you grow into a resilient, confident, and independent person who lives life to the fullest, free of alcohol and other addictive drugs.

Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS)

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SOS is an alternative recovery method for those alcoholics or drug addicts who are uncomfortable with the spiritual content of widely available 12-Step programs. SOS takes a reasonable, secular approach to recovery and maintains that sobriety is a separate issue from religion or spirituality. SOS credits the individual for achieving and maintaining his or her own sobriety, without reliance on any "Higher Power." SOS respects recovery in any form regardless of the path by which it is achieved. It is not opposed to or in competition with any other recovery programs.

Moderation Managment

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Moderation Management (MM) is a behavioral change program and national support group network for people concerned about their drinking and who desire to make positive lifestyle changes. MM empowers individuals to accept personal responsibility for choosing and maintaining their own path, whether moderation or abstinence. MM promotes early self-recognition of risky drinking behavior, when moderate drinking is a more easily achievable goal.

hey thanks for these great links! i am going to verify all these and make a list of these programs to add to the list of resources we keep at work..

i am personally opposed to any addiction recovery or therapy that uses the 12 step program, so i will be happy to contribute information on programs that arent contradictory to my own beliefs.

Glad these links could have been of help to someone! I'm a member on another website and we had a topic up about drug usage, and a Secular lady sent those links to all of us and I thought it'd be great to post here.

Hi CottonCandyLocks,
Why are you personally opposed to the 12 step programs? I am just curious. I am glad to see non-spiritual alternatives, and would use those if necessary, but some people really get a lot out of 12 step programs.

ktj15061

I'm still in a 12 Step program, and it has worked for me... But I'm very spiritual and take the Higher Power of 12 Steps differently than most. A lot of people don't want to do the 12 Step because of having to rely on something/someone higher or more powerful than themselves and if you don't believe in it, it won't work... Which is why the alternatives are awesome.

first off, i dont personally agree with the 12 step programs because i am not religious.
i also beleive in taking personal responsibility for initiating the addiction and for the recovery (at least partially), and the "surrender yourself to a higher power"...that part is a bit questionable. my OPINION is that '12 step' is brainwashing in one of its many poorly disguised forms.
i think group and individual therapy focusing on breaking cycles of destructive behaviors, discovering their roots (abuse, trauma, stress, poverty, etc) and learning new coping skills would be effective....
in addition to treatment with medication for withdrawl symptoms ....

but i am not saying that 12 step doesnt work... if it works for you, or anyone else thats great.. go to it!

I also agree with the 'whatever works, do it!' philosiphy. I, myself, do the 12 step program. But I posted the links to other non-related 12 step programs because I do know a lot of people are more comfortable with getting clean without the higher power deal.

I would like to clear something up for you though... 12 Step isn't brainwashing at all. The Higher Power that is spoken of the the AA and NA books is a higher power of YOUR understanding. As long as it's stronger and bigger than your addiction, it can be your higher power. A lot of people refer to that higher power as god, some refer to it as music, some would much rather refer to it as life that they never quite got to really experiance from being doped up all the time. There's different meanings for everyone as to who their higher power is. Also, it does require you to take responsibility. It requires you to admit that after the addiction has started it's cycle, you must admit your powerlessness over that addiction and from that point on, take responsibility for any backslide you take.

ive never done a program, cuz i got over my "addictions" as they are fleeting depending on my bipolar cycles.... and also in response to a lot of abuse and no other way to cope at the time.. my continuous drug and alcohol use was over 7 years ago though.... and i wouldnt even know the half of what AA is all about.
so thanks for that info bama....

Knowledge is power, in my opinion. I try learning all I can while I'm still here! lol

I just wanted to add this www.aadeprogramming.com. important link to a front page thread. It is a pretty large site with additional links to support groups.

~Down