12 Step Rehab Alternatives – 9 Ways to Recover Without Meetings
12 Step support meetings, getting a sponsor, declaring oneself an ‘addict’ or alcoholic etc, helps many through recovery. But what about those who don’t feel they’re powerless or addicted for life? What’s the alternative to 12 Step?
Alternative 12 Step Rehab and non 12 Step support group programs exist in record numbers. I’ve listed the 9 basic principals of social education (non-12 Step) rehab that seem to reflect the basic philosophy of alternative drug and alcohol rehab.
What Is 12 Step and What 12 Step Isn’t
12 Step is factually not a full rehabilitation program. 12 Step is a support system for those in recovery. 12 Step is not a substitute for formal detox and rehab for those in need of these treatments.
Alternatives to the 12 Step program exist more than ever, but many of these programs cost money. For those looking for a ‘free ride’ through recovery, support groups or going to church / meetings, 12 Step and non-12 Step meetings and reading books on recovery is still your best route. 12 Step recovery was formulated as a fellowship and support group.
A ‘No Meetings’ Recovery Program
The major alternative to 12 Step programs are called social educational programs. Some other psychologically based programs are not technically 12 Step, but as the majority of them use 12 Step as an adjunct to their program, they are 12 Step dependent or based, so aren’t alternatives to 12 Step.
What is a social educational drug / alcohol detox & rehab program?
Social educational programs differ from the 12 Step method by focusing on improving latent or not learned and developed abilities.
Key Principal: Drug & alcohol addiction rises one out of the obsession and compulsions to abuse drugs and alcohol.
Social Education Rehab Simplified – 9 Principals Of Recovery
Warning Accepting these principles may end your addiction
Addiction is not a disease No one has to admit they are ‘powerless’ – factually one is fully responsible for their own condition Drug & alcohol abusers lack the skills and abilities to end their abuse, skills they can develop One can and should end their dependency to drugs / alcohol through their own efforts The person themselves are responsible for their recovery Participation in the process of gaining greater control, responsibility and knowledge of their lives will assist their own recovery Drug / alcohol abuse is just one of the issues to deal with in rehab, factually drinking and drugging is not the root of the problem, it’s a symptom Recovering is not recovered. Lastly addiction, like a bad headache or heartache, has an ending
Social Educational Rehab programs deal with root issues, not symptoms of these issues (like drug abuse). Properly, one can’t address these root issues while on drugs or alcohol. The very corner stone of improvement and greater ability is self control and accountability. With these corner stones in place, rehab has a foundation. Therefore Social Educational rehab programs build up skills, natural health, abilities and confidences in their students / clients.
Getting Help?
Can you gain self control and accountability without some help or specifically without help from a social educational rehab program?
If there have been many private and public attempts to regain control of oneself and there have been failures, look at the painting on the wall. If one can’t or won’t change, getting help is recommended as things are out of control.
Help can be initiated by oneself or by the family / friends of the drug or alcohol abuser. This means one can ask for help. Look closely at the different options as your recovery will be dependent on which method of rehabilitation you participate in. If the rehab method doesn’t meet with your agreement and understanding, do you think you’ll participate in it? Your participation is expected in your recovery.
Social Educational rehab is one alternative to the 12 Step approach that achieves 60% to 90% success rates. Social educational programs are based on becoming powerful again without drugs or alcohol.



