Successful Recovery Programs Other Than AA

Maybe you (or your loved one) have already tried an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) program, but are now looking for more addiction recovery support than a 12-step program can provide. Or maybe this is your first time seeking addiction treatment and you want to explore options beyond what AA is able to offer.

Whatever the case, you’re in luck—while AA may be a household name, it is certainly not the only viable path to recovery. In fact, there are many recovery programs other than AA that are available these days. Not every treatment program works for every person or addiction, so it’s important to explore your options.

Every Path to Addiction Recovery Is Different

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating addiction. The most intriguing question is which one offers the best path forward specifically for you or your loved one?

While humans may all be made up of the same basic atomic building blocks, we are each genetically unique, and one person’s body may respond very differently than another’s to a particular substance or physical therapy. Likewise, no two minds work exactly the same way, and no two people share exactly the same lived experience of addiction—even if the circumstances may seem similar on the surface.

As such, treatment programming must be individualized in order to maximize the possibility of successful long-term recovery. Sometimes, this means incorporating several different programs into one overall treatment plan and adjusting, adding, or removing elements as time goes on. This is why recovery programs other than AA may be preferable to you or your loved one—or, at the very least, a powerful supplement to your 12-step program of choice.

Recovery Programs Other Than AA to Consider

As our understanding of human psychology and physiology increases over the years, our options for addiction treatment continue to expand and improve. While 12-step programs may be the most well-known among these, they don’t work for everyone. Let’s take a look at a few other recovery program options.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Within the context of addiction treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy was first used as a relapse prevention method for individuals struggling with alcoholism. It was later adapted specifically for coping with cocaine cravings. Over time, CBT has been found effective in helping individuals struggling with different addictions, as well as mood disorders.

Part of the reason for CBT’s effectiveness lies in its wide applicability. CBT focuses on changing thought patterns by encouraging the client to challenge negative and self-defeating thoughts. In terms of addiction, this may involve weighing the pros and cons of using, learning to recognize triggers and cravings, and learning to rely on healthier coping methods than drug or alcohol use.

Holistic Healing

Many comprehensive treatment programs wrap holistic healing methods into an individualized recovery plan in order to truly honor the whole person and their unique needs. These approaches may include movement-based therapy—including yoga or other exercise—meditation and mindfulness, and wholesome nutrition. These activities serve as powerful complements to clinical interventions.

Community-building within the treatment center also helps clients to develop a greater sense of personal awareness and responsibility. In general, healthy habit-building during active recovery helps to support the transition back to daily life. These well-rounded activities and support systems serve to treat the whole person and help them to feel more engaged with their recovery. The creativity inherent in many of these holistic options also helps the treatment plan evolve with the individual.

Family Programming

While addiction can be isolating, its effects are far from isolated; addiction affects entire families, not just individuals. A strong support system is crucial in the journey to recovery, and every family member plays an important role in the process. Family programming can help ensure those roles have a positive impact on the healing journey.

Typical family programming primarily involves two things: education and talk therapy. It’s often difficult to tell the difference between helping and enabling; trained addiction specialists can work with family members to clarify that distinction. Meanwhile, family therapy provides a safe space in which family members and addicted individuals can work through difficult issues together in order to heal and find a healthier path forward. Support groups and other external resources may also be recommended for those family members who are most affected by the situation.

Finding the Right Addiction Recovery Program

So how do you know which addiction recovery program is right for you or your loved one? Identifying the particular approaches that may offer the best hope for long-term success will require a thorough clinical assessment and the guidance of a trained addiction specialist. In other words, it is not recommended that you try to determine this on your own.

However, there are certain things you can look for that will tell you whether a treatment center offers the quality of care and expertise necessary to provide the best opportunity for recovery. An ideal treatment program will include:

• 24-hour access to medical support from experienced addiction specialists
• A comprehensive approach to treatment that addresses mental, emotional, and physical recovery
• Individualized programming that meets clients where they’re at and adapts as necessary to suit their unique recovery needs and goals
• Empathetic, dignified care in a safe, non-judgmental setting

Recovery may seem a distant and difficult goal to reach when you’re living in the trenches of a battle with addiction, but the reality is that it may be much closer than it seems. With the help of an experienced, empathetic team of specialists and the right recovery programming, anything is possible—even life beyond addiction.