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Beyond the 12 Steps

Non-12 Step Holistic Treatment for Addiction Recovery

The majority of addiction treatment programs are centered around the 12-step program, but what if this program doesn’t work for you? This was the case for our founder who tried countless residential and outpatient treatment programs and was unable to overcome his addiction because they never addressed the core underlying problem.  12-step programs can be useful, particularly in the early stages of recovery but are incomplete and most often unsuccessful.  This statement is evidenced by that fact that 12-step treatment centers exist in the first place. If the 12-step program was a complete model, people would be able to overcome their addictions by going to meetings.  If this were the case there would be no need for treatment centers, particularly those based on the 12-steps. 

When the Sanctuary was founded, there were no formal programs that were not based on the 12-steps so we had to pioneer one that could help a person identify and resolve the root cause of addiction, dual diagnosis and other maladaptive behaviors.  When considering a non-12 step program, it is important to understand the foundations of the program because the term only tells you what the program isn’t.   At The Sanctuary at Sedona, our non-12 step treatment is a holistic treatment for addiction supporting you fully with evidence-based clinical treatment combined with ancient wisdom and healing modalities. We understand that that the underlying cause of addiction is often based on trauma, family of origin issues or other unprocessed emotions which unconsciously drive our behavior.  

Unlike traditional programs, our pioneering approach treats not just drug and alcohol addiction, but also the underlying or co-occurring trauma and emotional causes of your condition. This allows you to find healing and the tools you need to return to home without the need to turn to alcohol, drugs or other substances or behaviors to meet your emotional, spiritual or mental needs.

Why Are Non-12 Step Rehab and Mental Health Treatment Important?

The traditional 12-step program was popularized in the 1930s, when Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith co-founded Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), originally to help people overcome addiction to alcohol. Eventually, the method was adapted to help people recover from over-reliance on drugs, gambling and other challenges. 

While many people have found the method useful, there are some limitations to the model that make it a poor fit for many people. At The Sanctuary we have incorporated The Science of Neuroplasticity and Epigenetics as foundational principals of change. 

12-step treatment models often anchor you to your past, requiring a lifelong identification as an addict or a person in recovery. At The Sanctuary at Sedona, we believe these labels can become biological and psychological ceilings that actually hinder your recovery, growth and evolution.

What We Treat

What Is the Non-12 Step Holistic Treatment Approach?

While many treatment centers have recently added holistic therapies like yoga or meditation, they often treat them as superficial “add-ons” or luxury bonuses bolted onto an outdated, 12-step foundation. This fragmented approach keeps healing fragmented addressing the mind in one session and the body in another without any true communication between the two. At The Sanctuary at Sedona, we have pioneered a fundamentally different model where every intervention is woven into a singular, seamless process. We recognize that the human system does not function in isolation; just as your nervous, digestive and endocrine systems work in a continuous, elegant dance to maintain life, our clinical, medical, somatic, and spiritual modalities are fully integrated to mirror that natural harmony. By aligning our entire process to work as one, we move beyond “treating symptoms” and instead facilitate a total system reboot that addresses the root of your crisis.

We recognize that a crisis impacts every dimension of your being. Therefore, your recovery must involve specific, specific interventions for the Body, Mind, Soul, and Spirit.

We  use science-based recovery methods, but we also use traditional wisdom and healing practices. We address trauma, existing addictions or mental health issues, nutritional needs, sleep needs, behavioral challenges and more. Instead of a regimented approach, we tailor a custom treatment plan to your needs and preferences.

Just as addiction or mental health can affect every part of your life, including physical health, nutrition, emotional health, relationships and everything else, we address all the parts of you and your life so you can heal fully and enter into full recovery. 

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Should You Consider Alternative Treatments for Your Anxiety Disorder and Panic Attacks?

What Can I Expect From Holistic Non-12 Step Alcohol Rehab, Addiction Recovery Help at The Sanctuary at Sedona?

When you first arrive, you will get a series of evaluations from the clinical, nursing, and medical team to develop a specific protocols based on your specific needs, including blood testing.  Acclimating to our tranquil 22-acre space, you begin to detoxify your body, repair your brain and calm your nervous system.  Then we develop a plan to help you recover and we consider

  • Your past traumas.
  • Your family history
  • Specific information based on your blood work
  • Your addiction or mental health conditions or both.
  • Any aversions you have based on past trauma or experiences.
  • All the questions and concerns you have.
  • Any spiritual or faith-based practices you would like integrated into your treatment or daily life.
  • Other existing practices that are important to you that you want to include in your program.
  • Nutritional needs or concerns. 

We build a treatment program that addresses identified root causes and addiction issues together, treating you as a whole person. You never have to take part in anything that you don’t want to participate in, and we work to build a positive, healing experience that addresses mental health and addiction. We work closely with you to ensure treatment is working, and we add additional supports as you need them.

What May Be in Your Holistic Non-12 Step Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Rehab Program

Many conventional rehab centers now offer complementary therapies like yoga and meditation. These are wonderful practices that can be very supportive to recovery.

But at The Sanctuary, we don’t just offer alternative therapies as afterthoughts or add-ons. Our program is equally based on mental, physical, emotional and energetic approaches to improving health. And each of these aspects of healing is integrated into a highly organized program that elevates your recovery progress. To us, “holistic” means a complete experience that views you as a whole person and helps you make a significant transition into the next phase of your life.

Our practitioners are highly skilled in their areas of expertise and will work with you to customize a program that makes the most sense for who you are and what you need.

Non-12 step recovery and holistic treatment works through a combination of therapies, which can include:

Why Treating Mental Illness Is a Key Part of the Best Non-12 Step Rehab Programs

At The Sanctuary at Sedona, we are proud to offer mental health treatment as a stand-alone, holistic option to those who are not living with addiction, to help you address mood disorders, trauma and other conditions. However, we also offer mental health treatment to those who are seeking recovery because, in many cases, individuals seek to self-medicate with alcohol or other substances when they have a mental health issue. Treating the underlying condition then becomes essential to successful recovery. 

We know from our experience of helping many others that recovery is possible, and it is most likely when you treat the whole person. Helping you feel better overall is essential to harnessing the power of your brain and your genetic expression to realize dramatic changes. 

In traditional 12-step programs, you’re taught that you are powerless in the face of your problem and you will need to stay vigilant for a lifetime because relapse is always possible, but we know the opposite. We empower you with knowledge about how your thoughts, past traumas and beliefs affect your current life and behaviors. By learning how to tackle these issues, you can move toward a recovery you may never have considered possible. 

Who Can Benefit From Our Holistic Non-12 Step Program?

At The Sanctuary at Sedona, we pride ourselves on being an inclusive, welcoming space. No matter what your background, beliefs or identity, we have designed our customized programs with you in mind. We can work with your preexisting frameworks, preferences and needs.

You also don’t need any previous experience with therapy, mental health treatment or holistic healing. We explain everything clearly so you can choose the modalities that work best for you and meet you where you are. Whether you have taken part in 12-step or non-12 step programs or this is your first time seeking help, our down-to-earth team always meets you where you are.

We are proud to treat a wide range of conditions, including addiction, depression, PTSD, anxiety, sexual abuse and trauma. If you’re not sure whether we can help, reach out to speak to a compassionate counselor today.

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The Advantages of Non-12 Step Holistic Treatment at The Sanctuary

As the pioneers of the non-12 step approach, we have worked to develop a fully customized program that addresses you as a unique person and considers as many of your needs as possible. When you stay at the residential program at The Sanctuary at Sedona, you can enjoy:

  • A supportive community so you never feel alone, even after you return home.
  • Brain repair protocols.
  • Small, private and intimate community experiences that respect your privacy. 
  • A restful 22-acre space with plenty of room for mindfulness and deep work.
  • Plenty of personalized attention, including 160 clinical hours per 30 days.
  • Multiple therapies and modalities, including ancient wisdom healing and the most current science-backed methods.
  • Advanced treatment options through our biohacking lab and infrared sauna lab.
  • Comfortable and private luxury accommodations.
  • Post-treatment support and ongoing coaching from staff you have worked with during treatment, along with continued access to our team if you need additional support. 
  • Nutraceutical support as well as gourmet, organic meals that support healing your gut while providing you with the nutrition you need to heal. 
  • Trauma-focused care.  
  • A staff that includes experienced practitioners in energy medicine and licensed independent behavioral health professionals with specializations in addiction, trauma, dual diagnoses, psychiatry and functional medicine.

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Non-12 Step Treatment For Drug And Alcohol Addiction

If you’re weighing your options and considering whether a non-12 Step approach to addiction treatment is right for you, here are some frequently asked questions that can help you decide.

You are not alone. Many people take many steps on their journey before they find The Sanctuary at Sedona. The truth is that no one knows what the future holds, but if you have tried traditional treatment, you will find our methods different because we believe your past results are not because of you but because of the treatment typically offered.

We have seen amazing successes, in part because we treat the whole person and in part because we focus on long-term recovery, with ample support and an adaptive, multifaceted approach. We customize your treatment and adjust it as needed, rather than trying to make your recovery fit a one-size-fits-all plan. Because we take care of you as a whole, you may experience results you have not before. 

All we ask is that you arrive with a willingness to learn. If you are willing to be open and give recovery a try, we will meet you halfway and do all we can to support you, with genuine care and no judgment. 

We provide inpatient treatment and transition coaching. Your wellness coaching includes group calls and individual recovery calls to ensure you feel fully supported as you transition to your regular environment. We can also provide ongoing connection to therapists, coaches and healers if you require, and we can provide you with additional resources. You can always get in touch when you need more help, because we remain fully committed to your well-being. 

Our program is based on the belief that yes, you can move into complete recovery. Unlike traditional programs, we don’t believe that you will always be “in recovery” and unable to trust yourself. Instead, we believe that when you are recovered, you are well and may no longer need to rely on substance use or your past behaviors. Instead, you will be free to live life fully, without being defined by your past. We don’t see you as a victim. We see you as someone who may need a little extra support with parts of yourself that may not have gotten attention in the recovery process before. 

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Hear From Experts and Sanctuary Alums

Everyone’s recovery journey looks different, and The Sanctuary at Sedona is here to help you through it. Explore more about our program through the stories of other experts and alumni.

There is no way to put into words all that the Sanctuary can do for you. It truly changed my life in ways I didn't think we're possible. This is the future of genuine healing, but it's happening right now down Cactus Road. This is a place which will genuinely heal the pain that so many of us have thrust upon us. This is not a place you go to solve one issue, this will touch upon everything you're dealing with in such profound ways. Even things which may not be your intent when you first make the phone call.I am almost two months out and still just astounded at how profoundly my life has changed. I am genuinely excited about life and the universe keeps bringing me things I would have never thought I deserved.Aside from the fact it's going to altar the course of your life profoundly for the better, it's also just an enjoyable place to be. It's on a beautiful piece of land. The food is amazing. I made so many close, lifelong friends. The accommodations are very comfortable. Every single staff member, all the way up to the top, are some of the most genuine, caring, people you will ever encounter in your life. Healing is truly what they live for. Trust your instinct calling you here, enter, and surrender to the healing. I am so excited for all of you just starting this journey! A'ho!

Will Crowe

Jun. 7th, 2026
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I have struggled for most of my adult life with anxiety, depression and trauma. I had not made much progress within traditional western practices but found the Sanctuary to be life changing. They are the only place out of three prior residential facilities that made me feel loved, accepted and like I could do the recovery work. The staff to client ratio was about 5:1 which I had never experienced anywhere prior. The food was prepared by the most amazing chefs and the food was in itself medicine. The Transition plan is comprehensive as well as the follow up alumni program. I would highly recommend The Sanctuary to anyone who is feeling hopeless or has tried multiple modalities for cPTSD without success.

KBB

May. 31st, 2026
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My wife spent 30 days at the Sanctuary. The love, one on one attention and acceptance she received dramatically reframed how she sees herself and set the stage for moving forward in her healing from cPTSD. The emphasis on total health and well being was crucial to her healing. The facilities are very nice and relaxing. The food was very healthy and tasted excellent.

Chuck Braucher

May. 31st, 2026
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Honestly, five stars isn't enough for this place.Sanctuary of Sedona didn't just help me get soberit helped me remember who I am.When I arrived, I was carrying decades of addiction, pain, trauma, and self-doubt. The staff met me with compassion, dignity, and genuine care at a time when I needed it most. From the moment I walked through the doors, I felt seen as a human being, not just a diagnosis or a problem to be fixed.The healing I experienced went far beyond sobriety. Sanctuary provided a safe space to look at the underlying wounds that had fueled my addiction for years. Through their holistic approach, supportive community, and dedicated staff, I found hope, self-love, and a renewed sense of purpose.Today, I am living a life I never thought was possible. I have my family, my recovery, my home, and a future I am excited about. Sanctuary of Sedona played a profound role in that transformation, and I will carry gratitude for this place and the people who work there for the rest of my life.If you are struggling and wondering if recovery is possible, know that it is. Sanctuary helped me find my way back to myself, gave me tribe, and for that I will be forever grateful.

Nicole Dorris

May. 31st, 2026
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It has been a long while since I have been back to sanctuary for sweat lodge. It was such a great reset and renewal being welcomed by community and feel at home. The humanity and love and continuing education, the connection that continued learning. The overall authenticity of helps reset your battery to handle the chaos that surrounds us! Aho

DeAnna

May. 31st, 2026
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A couple of miles down Cactus Road is the place that changed my life. All the other roads had led to dead ends, darkness, and despair but this one steered me back to my soul.The Sanctuary did far more than heal me, it provided me with the tools that I needed to thrive. The modalities used don't construct you into who you or others think you should be, they deconstruct you into the purest, most authentic version of yourself. They provide the framework for you to rediscover who and what you truly are.The holistic approach cleansed me from the inside out, achieving not only sobriety but a profound inner peace through the balancing of all aspects of the self physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.The energy here is just different. The land heals. The community heals. The food heals. The work you do heals. The staff's dedication to you heals. The love that radiates from every being and everything at The Sanctuary heals. There is a tangible magic in the air that envelopes the entire property. As crazy as this may sound, once you feel it you will believe it.What Dean created is not just a sanctuary, it's an oasis. It's the type of place that you didn't realize you had longed for until you experience The Sanctuary and all it has to offer. If you show up, do the work, and commit to yourself and the process you will leave transformed in the most incredible way. You will return home with a sparkle in your eyes and an overflowing heart.I am forever indebted to this place, all the staff, and the other clients who sat beside me throughout my recovery. Who I am today is a direct reflection of the thirty days I spent in Cornville, Arizona and that person is the one that I've always dreamed to be.If you're suffering in any way. If you feel lost. If you're empty and close to giving up then call the Sanctuary. It's the greatest gift you could ever give to yourself.Michael D

M D

May. 30th, 2026
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Overall great experience and life changing. I came in feeling not who I really am and after the treatment left feeling more connected to myself, the world, and my people. A very immersive and detailed treatment. Thanks to Dean and his vision to create this beautiful place and the many many staff members that each play their part in maintaining the grounds and cultivating my own personal growth through the program. From one on one session to group classes I was guided step by step to better understand myself, my circumstance, and my brain (mind). I was given practice tools and practices to implement on a daily basis that help to continue to expand my awareness and personal power. Through a series of "journey work" sessions I was allowed to better glimpse the aspects of my past that caused many of my limiting beliefs and through this process became much more capable of recognizing certain things within myself. All in all these things and many more aspects of the facility encouraged me to come back to myself, be more curious about my internal as well as external world, and set me on a new trajectory in life where I feel more confident and assured of my own power and ability to follow a higher path. Thank you!

nolan reifsteck

May. 30th, 2026
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There is a rare kind of strength in the work Dean & Kelly are doing at Sanctuary at Sedona.Not the strength of control but the courage to dedicate their lives to helping people who feel lost, disconnected, broken, or trapped in the darkest nights of their souls.In a world that often rewards numbness, distraction, and disconnection, they chose the difficult path: awakening consciousness, holding space for healing, and reminding people that life can still be reclaimed.What they are building is more than a sanctuary.It is a bridge back to the self.A place where people remember who they are beneath the pain, the noise, and the fear.Few understand the weight of holding light for others in a hostile world.Dean & Kelly do.ps: The most beautiful souls are the ones who walked through the fireand returned carrying water for those still trapped inside.

pablo a vazquez o

May. 25th, 2026
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I found myself at The Sanctuary almost nine years ago, and I still feel deeply impacted and connected to the tribe here. There is no doubt in my mind that my time at The Sanctuary changed the trajectory of my life. Specifically, my sessions with Dean, Ruby, Kelley, and Hillary–and the rest of the staff– was incredibly eye-opening and healing. The program is truly integrative and based in non-shaming, love, and autonomy. Everyone is incredibly passionate and well-versed in their craft/expertise of healing. I think if I had gone somewhere else to, I could have been more damaged by certain 12 step dogma, pressure, and the intensity of duality (good vs. bad, black vs. white) or prescribed a bunch of drugs and given a bunch of diagnoses that could have destroyed my self-confidence, intuition, and sense of autonomy further. Instead, the Sanctuary's approach is rooted more in non-duality and openness. It was deeply spiritual without any preachy-ness, and they emphasize autonomy and agency at every turn. The food is wonderful and healthy, and everything feels so clean and safe as well. Most of all, it is the enduring community and divine support I felt (and feel) most from my time there, where I know, even on really challenging days, weeks, months, etc… that I'm not alone in this life. I definitely would reccommend coming here, whether you are looking to truly unplug, heal from trauma and addiction, and/or explore your spiritual soul calling… Ajo!

Tess Hezlep

May. 22nd, 2026
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I didn't feel like a human being before coming to the sanctuary. I was living life through emotionless superficial goals, achievements, and constant self sabotage. I was aware of what was happening but I could never find out why.Words can't do my 30 days of being here justice. This place has a way of bringing out that part of you locked away that wants to be the best version of yourself which I never thought was possible.It's truly a special place and I'm so grateful for the staff, the friends, and myself.Thank you.

John W Caran

May. 19th, 2026
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Why Choose The Sanctuary’s Holistic Treatment Program

Maybe it’s not that you haven’t done enough. Maybe you just haven’t done the right kind of treatment for you.

This journey is not just about “receiving” treatment. It’s about creating — for yourself — a new way of being in the world. Our goal is to empower you with everything you need to do just that.

At our holistic addiction recovery center, you’ll learn through your experiences here what it’s like to feel loved, be valued, and have a healthy relationship with yourself and those around you. You’ll learn how to take better care of your body, how to support your brain in creating resilient mental health, and how to engage in the things that nourish your soul.

You’ll leave here with new seeds planted, and another opportunity to have an amazing life — and to sustain that transformation. And everyone here will have your back, the whole way through.

Learn More About Our Non-12 Step Drug Rehab and Mental Health Support

At The Sanctuary at Sedona, our goal is to empower you to create a different way of moving through the world. We can show you how to build healthy relationships with those around you and with yourself and what it is like to feel valued and loved enough to care for your body, mind and spirit. We teach you how to transform and maintain that transformation so you can lead an amazing life. 

It’s time to make the change. Whether you want to heal from addiction, a mental health issue or multiple challenges, we’re here for you every step of the way.

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