View Full Version : Choosing the best rehab option- secular recovery programs?
Hey guys, what's up?
I'm wondering if there are any rehab programs out there thatare notbased onthe 12-stepplan because I know it wouldn't work for me. I don't believe in a higher power nor do I like the idea of giving up control. I firmly believe in and take comfort in having control over my decisions in life, good or bad. Are there any non-religious based programs out there that are accessable on an out-patient basiswhichwould allow me to focus onrecovery as a regaining of power as opposed to an acknowledgement and acceptanceof a loss of power? If anyonehas any suggestions I'd greatly appreciate them. Thanks!
Coke is the main problem, butI drink a lot andI take Xanax too, usually to come down. I've been able to control the latter two fairly well but once I start I just don't stop til it's all gone with Coke. Any suggestions on what program would be the most helpful? I can't do anything inpatient though. Thanks so much!
I haven't much information on rehabs but what i do know is this..Unfortunatly you have to be patient, there is no way you will succeed if you think you can just give up with some amazing cure, and thats it, it takes dedication, you have to want to give up, and you need patients, self dicipline and will power, if you wan't to give up that much you will be willing to go to a rehab no matter how long it takes or what way you do it. And from what you have just said, its not just coke its alcohol and Xanax too, which will take even more time as you wil have to deal with one problem at a time. You are looking for an easier way out than the rest of us there isn't one.
I know it will take a lot of work and discipline. That's why I was wondering if there is a specific program that is the most likely to support me through it. I'm just curious if anyonehas first hand experience with C.A. or some other program and if it helped at all. Thanks guys!
K, for example, are there programs out there that will be able to help atheists? Are there any recovery programs that don't refer to a higher power? I definitely won't rule those out either as long as they could adapt the steps to my own spiritual beliefs. Nevermind, I should just ask them directly. Haha, that would be the easy thing to do. Thanks for the input! =)
sexybabe04
11-05-2004, 08:46
I go to AA/NA/CA meetings a lot. They all teach 12 step recovery. Also, in meetings you will learn that you don't have to believe in God. It is refered to as a higher power.. And that higher power can be a tree, the sky, your CA group, anything.. You dont have to "give up control", but the first step is to admit you are powerless over drugs and alcohol.. Its hard but I really reccommend trying it out. Going to meetings will work for you if you want to get sober.. Its not just about quiting coke.. its about not using any type of drug or alcohol. I just got sober and at first it was hell. But it really does get better. Try going to some meetings. Even if you dont like it at first, keep going because it will get better, and you will be more comfortable there. I hope this helps.. Message me if you have any other questions.
inrecovery
16-06-2004, 01:08
I'm wondering if there are any rehab programs out there that are not based on the 12-step plan because I know it wouldn't work for me.
How do you know that it wouldn't work for you?
Have you tried it? Or are you just trying to avoid taking any action?
The reason that most rehabs use 12-step programs is - because it works! And they have found - after many years of experience, that these programs work.
I don't believe in a higher power nor do I like the idea of giving up control.
Do you take any drugs? Ever had any problem with quitting?
If you can't quit on your own - then those drugs are more powerful than you are. They are your higher power right now.
As for giving up control - you already have. Drugs control your life - not you.
Think about it.
As long as your excuses are more important to you than getting clean, you will stay addicted.
The only answer is to detox. Get in to treatment NOW. At some point in the future when you have been clean for a while, come back and read your original post - you will laugh your ass off at your [former] self I guarantee it.
Good luck. Get treated now. You will feel good again.
I do agree that it is best to try all the options before deciding what works best. That said, twelve step programs are not for everyone, and there is no reason to force oneself to attend a program that does not correspond with one's belief system or is not helpful. Everyone's different- it's just a matter of trying different things and finding what works. It's a process. To get the thread back on topic, there are plenty of non-religious recovery programs, although less prevalent than AA/NA.
Some I have heard of include:
SMART Recovery is one option.
This is "Self Management and Recovery Training"
It focuses on four points:
1) Enhancing and maintaining motivation to abstain
2) Coping with urges/cravings
3) Problem solving (managing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors)
4) Lifestyle balancing (balancing long term and short term satisfactions)
This program is a blend of group support and individual work, and is based in psychology and science, focusing on techniques like Rational Emotive Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
It supports individuals both committed to abstinence and also individuals who are considering quitting or changing their behaviors.
Rational Recovery is another secular recovery group. Their main premise is AVRT, addiction voice recognition technology. They believe recovery is an individual process and do not host any group meetings, promoting instead written materials an online materials. They believe that addiction is defined most importantly as the ambivalence felt- acknowledging that an addict both has the desire and capacity to remain abstinent and live a healthy life, as well as the fact that an addict is still going to desire their drug(s) of choice. Their program is about accepting and overcoming this paradox and recognizing which thoughts and behaviors are coming from addiction (any thought or behavior which does not support recovery, basically).
One more program is called LifeRing secular recovery. They believe that an individual's religion is private; thus their members come from all faiths (or lack-of faiths) and this does not impact the recovery process, which relies on the positive process of group therapy as well as inner strength and growth as the factors which allow an addict to recover and remain abstinent. They believe addiction, whether to alcohol or any other drug, is the same issue and do not differentiate between "addicts" and "alcoholics" or which drug(s) of choice are the problem.
I am currently writing an article on all the different recovery options, and there is more information on these as well as other programs and strategies, but for now I wanted to put this overview out there, as this is an important question, and I believe that all options should be acknowledged and discussed, as there is no "one size fits all" for recovery. Best of luck!!~