A 12 step program is designed to help people recover from their addiction problems. It is a program that outlines a course of action that should be taken to reach ones goal of becoming addiction free. It can best be described as a guiding set of principles.
12 Step Programs Effectiveness
Now that we have went over the 12 steps I bet you are wondering how effective it actually is. Research shows that after a year only 5 percent of the people that start on it continue with it. In reality, it isn't much more effective than any other alternative. The primary benefit that you get from these meetings is a support group; however, if you have friends that are willing to help you out with your addiction problem, I think that they would be a much better alternative. The main thing that you need to admit to yourself is that you have a problem and you just have to commit to resolving it. The 12 step program takes the power out of your hands and puts the power in the hands of God. Personally, I don't think that you should look at yourself as some powerless individual because that is not true at all.
The fact that you are even looking into 12 step programs shows that you have more power than you even realize. It means that you are looking for a solution, and YOU were the one to make that decision. With that said, I absolutely believe that you should have faith in God to reward you for all of your hard work during your journey to sobriety but I don't think that it's fair to ask him to do all of the work for you.
Alternatives To 12 Step Programs
To start, I don't think that you should feel like your by yourself on your path to sobriety. I think one of the first things you should do is go to a friend or family member that you trust and admit to them that you have a problem. Let them know what your situation is and tell them that you need help. By help, let them know that you just mean their support and understanding. Let them know where you are at now in your life and where you would like to be( which is sobriety). You will be surprised by how willing people are to help and you can keep them updated with your progress. Also ask them if there's anything that they would like to improve on in their life. And create an action plan to help each other out. Part of your action plan can consist of some of the following alternative methods to the 12 step program.
Smart Recovery
The Smart Recovery approach focuses on teaching you self-empowerment and self-reliance. They provide meetings that are educational and supportive. They also include open discussions and teach techniques for self-directed change.
They focus on four main points:
1: Enhancing and Maintaining Motivation
2: Coping with Urges
3: Managing Thoughts, Feeling and Behaviors
4: Living a Balanced Life
Rational Recovery
The basis for this program is based on recognizing and conquering what the program refers to as the "addictive voice." The Addictive Voice Recognition Techniques attempt to demonstrate that you are in control of the addictive voice and not the other way around. The Rational Recovery method does not regard addiction as a disease but as a voluntary behavior.
The program is offered on the internet through books, videos, and lectures.
LifeRing Secular Recovery
This program emphasis that the addicts mind is split in two. On one side you have your addict self and on the other you have your sober self. Essentially, these are two voices that you have. The goal of this recovery program is to make your sober voice stronger by making it interact with other sober voices in meetings.
Secular Organization for Recovery
This program was specifically designed for those who are uncomfortable with the spiritual nature of the 12 step programs. SOS, also known as "Save Our Selves" credits the individual for maintaining his own sobriety rather than a higher power.
In conclusion, I recommend that you chose the program that is the best fit for you. All of the methods mentioned above are great alcohol and drug treatment programs. Furthermore, the best drug rehab programs are the ones that you feel most comfortable with because those are the ones that are going to get through to you the most.
I would also like to state that the recovery programs I mentioned above are not limited to drug and alcohol addicts. They are meant to get rid of any kind of addiction you may suffer from.
For more information on drug treatment programs and alternatives go to addictsapple.com
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