Non-Faith Based Rehab

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Non-Faith Based Rehab

Religious individuals benefit as well

People often assume only atheists or agnostics have a problem with the deep religious influence in traditional 12 Step treatment. Interestingly enough, even those with strong religious backgrounds or spiritual beliefs have taken issue with the 12 step model.

The reason is many have recognized that the 12 steps are not targeted towards recovery, but instead focused towards just managing the problem. The twelve-step doctrine promotes its primary objective as ‘enabling you to find a power greater than yourself – which will help solve your problem.’ Notice how it does not mention overcoming the problem through personal growth, but rather blind faith in something other than themselves.

Approximately 95% of all rehab centers in the United States are 12 step or AA / NA based. This means that most of the drug rehab facilities incorporate at least some element of a belief in God, acknowledgement of a Supreme Being, or other Higher Power elements in their recovery programs.

When looking at the original Twelve Steps, more than half of them refer directly to ‘God’. The tone and nature of many of these religious based rehab programs will vary widely – but the question begs to be asked ‘where does someone turn when they want non-religious or non-faith based treatment?’

12 Steps is Horribly Ineffective

The entire concept of the 12 Steps is ineffective. Sitting around having a discussion does nothing to empower the individual. True substance abuse recovery starts with detoxification of the body to rid oneself of the immediate temptation and then continues with 1-on-1 counseling. What are the triggers that lead to drug use? What are the social or physical triggers that prompt the use of drugs? A non-faith based program applies proven scientific methods to address those and other issues. The result is a tailored program to the individual’s specific needs; recognizing that the person is an individual who has their own unique struggles which require more than just a generic response.

Even someone who has deep religious beliefs and knows nothing about addiction can recognize that the original Twelve Steps are not designed to empower a person.

This is not about rising up against religion. It is recognizing this type of treatment, as it’s been demonstrated for decades, is horribly ineffective.

With faith-based treatment, everyone uses the exact same steps. If they don’t work, there are two types of response: “you did not pray hard enough” or “we have to recognize that this may be part of the ‘Plan’.” Both are unacceptable. How many times do they have to pray each day to succeed? And what happens when you tell someone they were likely to fail in the first place, despite their best efforts? In reality, you are telling them that no matter what they do, they are not in control.

Get back in control

Non 12 step drug and alcohol rehab programs are the most widely recognized non-religious treatment model. At the core of the social / educational models, cognitive therapies and other counseling – non 12 step programs help the person find and resolve the underlying problems that led to the drug or alcohol use. The individual takes responsibility for their actions, and their addiction. The end result is not being a person ‘managing addiction’ but rather someone who has overcome their issues and living a quality life.

Most Insurance Accepted

Why do faith-based rehab make some uncomfortable?

It is not possible to ignore the religious tradition of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). The values may be difficult for some to accept and they point to the following:

Improving your connection with a Higher Power
Appealing to the Higher Power for help
Accepting that without the Higher Power, you are bound to relapse
Turn your life over to the control of a Higher Power

Is this a problem people have with religion?

Non faith-rehab is not just for those who identify as agnostic or atheist. One of the reasons that many seek out non-religious or non-faith based rehab facilities is because the 12 step program is not focused on recovery. It only talks about managing the problem, not overcoming it. This is not an issue with any particular religious denomination.

Are all faiths accepted in non faith-based rehab?

Indeed they are. Non faith-based rehab focuses on dealing with the problem of addiction and the underlying triggers. This is not about needing to revert to a specific religion or renouncing your current religion.

Is there a different approach?

Yes, non faith-based rehab programs focus on being self-empowered rather than relying on a Higher Power. Within the first two of the twelve tenets of the 12 step program, the person struggling with dependence has to admit that only a Power higher than themselves can help restore their sanity, and that they are powerless against the lure of alcohol. Non-faith based rehab programs are about finding the strength from within to stop drinking alcohol or stop abusing drugs.

Is there a different basis for results?

Enrolling in a non-faith based program means that the recovery professionals that you work with rely on science, evidence and observation. This means making changes and alterations to things that do not work instead of assuming that something works without actual evidence. Instead of forcing the patient to adapt to the program, the program adapts to the patient.