Traditionally and historically, the 12 steps have always been incorporated into almost all treatment centers rehabilitation process. However, recently, more and more treatment programs are offering some form of alternative rehab program which are non 12 steps.
Non 12 step rehabs are designed for people who have tried the traditional 12 step method and either did not like it or it did not work from them. Some did not care for the Spiritual aspect, while others did not respond to the step approach.
Non 12 Step rehab programs seem to have a more clinical, scientific approach, rather than a Spiritual one. Since addiction is a disease, a non 12 step based rehab is often more effective for more logically oriented people.
Bill Wilson, the man most credited with founding Alcoholics Anonymous, was also the primary author of the 12 steps. The 12 steps are at the very core of the recovery program of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Briefly, the 12 steps start with a person admitting they are powerless over alcohol or drugs and admitting their lives have become unmanageable. The remaining steps take the person down the road of self examination and reflection as well as making amends to the people they have harmed during their alcohol drinking years. The twelfth step talks about having had a spiritual awakening as a result of working these steps and to go on and practice the principles of the program all the time.
Some people want a non 12 step program as a part of their drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. And this wish should be honored and respected. For some, the reason they want a non 12 step, alternative rehab is they have tried the 12 step approach already and it did not work for them. Others have heard that the 12 steps is based in large degree on God or a concept of a Higher Power and that idea does not appeal to them. Some may be atheists or agnostics and therefore the ideal of God or a High Power is not in keeping with their core beliefs.
One viable alternative, non 12 step program is SMART Recovery. SMART is an acronym for Self Management and Recovery Training.
The other major non 12 step based organization is RATIONAL Recovery. It is a family based model, using AVRT, Addictive Voice Recognition Technique.
Still other people who want a non 12 step based rehab is due to their need for a more holistic or therapy based treatment model. Traditional treatment centers focus on getting their clients comfortable with going to AA or NA meetings. They take them to AA or NA meetings 2 or 3 times per week. Many go so far as to work on the first steps, while in rehab.
