Alcoholics Anonymous or AA has long been one of the faces of addiction recovery. Its group setting and 12 step design have helped inspire many other recovery methods throughout the years. However, some may now find it outdated or restrictive for their recovery needs. If this describes you, you may want to consider alternatives to AA. These programs have popped up over the years to help people in your situation get the kind of care that works for their needs.
Why AA May Not Be Right for Everyone
It’s hard to deny that AA has provided many people with the help that they needed to recovery from alcoholism since its origin nearly 100 years ago. The 12 steps have helped to shed light on the source of many addictions and have walked people back from alcoholism many times. That said, it is also hard to deny that AA is not always right for everyone due to its inherent structure.
For example, some people don’t do well in a semi-authoritarian group such as AA. The focus on religion often turns some people away. Moreover, the approach makes some people feel defeated or weak because the program requires them to admit that they have lost control of their lives. These criticisms are valid, despite AA’s long history of success, which is why alternatives to AA exist.
A Few Alternatives to AA
Over the years, new programs have originated to help either replace AA or serve as a supplement to its unique treatment option. These groups have yet to create the same kind of name recognition as AA. However, they do provide many benefits that make it easier to quit alcohol for good. Just a few of these programs include unique options such as:
- Alcohol Management Program – This confidential group focuses on helping people with moderate addiction and teaches them about the dangers of drinking
- Harm Reduction Therapy Center – Members of this group meet, like in AA, but create their own goals for quitting substances. These goals help you create workable plans that are easier to execute
- Moderation Management – Those who want to commit to recovery may appreciate this care option because it includes many types of support groups, tips, and activities
- Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) Recovery – Sign up for this plan to build skills that help make it easier to maintain your abstinence in a very self-guided manner
- Addiction Alternatives – This program focuses on teaching people how to beat addiction but allows them to continue drinking in small amounts
These alternatives to AA may be just what you need to overcome alcoholism. For example, you may appreciate the self-directed approach of SMART Recovery and the way it allows you to take your recovery into your hand. Alternatively, maybe you like the group-oriented setting of Harm Reduction Therapy and its dependence on setting your own goals. Whatever approach you take, make sure that rehab also plays a part.
How Rehab Provides a Unified Recovery
If these alternatives to AA intrigue you, but you think you need more focused recovery help, you should seriously consider rehab. A growing number of these facilities have appeared across the nation to help manage substance use. This treatment focuses on multiple elements of your substance use, including:
- Physical health problems
- Psychological and emotional concerns
- Spiritual damage and recovery
- Behavioral adjustments
- Aftercare treatment
It would be best if you addressed each of these elements and treat them simultaneously to manage your addiction. Many of these centers now work with some of the AA alternatives discussed here. In short, you owe it to yourself to take your recovery into your own hands and do whatever you can to ensure that you don’t remain addicted forever.
Make Sure to Contact Us Today
If you are interested in these alternatives to AA and want to work with a high-quality rehab center as well, please contact us at Crestview Recovery now to learn more 866.262.0531. We design our care center to provide many treatment modalities, such as partial hospitalization. Additionally, we can provide insurance-based payment for those who need it. Our beautiful setting in the Pacific Northwest should give you the peace of mind that you need to beat addiction for good.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
