The road to freedom: an alternative approach to drug addiction recovery. When we think of addiction recovery, the 12-Step approach is often the first option that comes to mind. And while it works well for some, others struggle with this method. They may reach a certain place in their recovery and hit a plateau, find themselves continuously relapsing or simply not resonate with the 12-Step belief system to begin with.
Limiting Beliefs, Limited Results
Each of us reaches addiction through a unique combination of experiences, circumstances and backgrounds. We also each have our own learning and processing styles – what’s successful for one person might not be for another. That’s why alternative addiction treatment options are so important.
The first of the 12 steps is admitting powerlessness over the addiction. While this is a widely accepted practice in the recovery community, the problem with this belief is that it conveys a victim mindset. It’s rooted in fear, and in the disease model of addiction. Approaching recovery from this framework can be effective in the short-term, but can eventually come to hinder your progress.
Conversely, we can approach addiction from a place of self-empowerment. Alternative addiction treatment encompasses the science of neuroplasticity, which can both strengthen positive thought patterns and eliminate unhelpful ones. It embraces the mind-body connection: a holistic approach that’s integral to healing from addiction. And it works to heal the trauma that underlies your addiction by working releasing blockages in your body and energy centers.
In Recovery vs. Being Recovered
The “once an addict, always an addict” belief system holds that we are in recovery for life – that we’re never free from our addiction or healed from our disease. But when we’re “in recovery” forever, we stay sober from a place of fear.
The alternative approach proposes a mindset of being recovered. When you’re recovered, you stay sober from a place of empowerment, because you want to be present in your life and active in building your future. You no longer identify with the disease of addiction, because you’re not living in a victim mindset.
Redefine Your Path at Alternative Rehab
It’s important to note that being non-12-Step is not the same as anti-12-Step. The Sanctuary supports any system that helps people heal, reconnect with their true self and live out their life’s true purpose. 12-Step groups uphold a sense of community, which is vital to anyone facing addiction, depression and anxiety. We believe that the 12 Steps are one option for this kind support, but also that it’s important to be aware of alternative options so you can choose the program that works best for you.
Rather than defining yourself by a disease and the idea that you’ll never fully recover from it, alternative treatment focuses on healing the issues that drive your addiction, and creating a full and meaningful existence in which you no longer need to identify as an addict.
You don’t have to live with a life sentence – you can be free.
Read more about the empowering approach of alternative drug treatment in our article, Are You Really Powerless Over Your Addiction? Move Beyond Limiting Beliefs in Non-12-Step Recovery.
If you’re ready to take the first step towards freedom, get in touch with us at (877) 710-3385 or [email protected] today.
He is the Founder, Administrator, Counselor at the Sanctuary at Sedona. He has a BA in Political Science and is currently Senior teaching staff at Four Winds Society, an international school of energy medicine. His credentials also include being an Ordained Minister; a Certified Shamanic Breathwork® Facilitator; a Founding Member Society for Shamanic Practitioners; a Member of Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology; a Member of the National Institute for Holistic Addiction Studies. [email protected]