Are You Seeking a Non-12-Step Rehab?

Understanding the Challenges of Finding a True Non-12-Step Rehab

Finding a rehab that is not based on the 12-Step Program and does not refer you to 12-step meetings as aftercare is like seeking a unicorn. Do you believe in unicorns? Yeah, me neither. Here are 5 questions you can ask to determine if the rehab you found that claims to be non-12-step, is in fact, still based on and tied to the 12-step program.

5 Questions to Help You Identify if a Rehab is Truly Non-12-Step

Do They Offer Support Group Meetings Like AA or NA?

Do you have support group meetings (AA, NA, or other) on-site? This is a huge red flag. Even if they tell you that these meetings are optional, they’re not. That’s recovery doublespeak: “They’re optional if you want to stop your addiction” wink, wink. This is a clear indicator this is a 12-step rehab.

Does the Rehab Believe Addiction is a Disease That Makes You Powerless?

Do you believe that addiction is a disease that renders people powerless? If they say no or have a long explanation for this, challenge them with the next question:

Will the Rehab Diagnose You With a Disease or Disorder?

Are you going to diagnose me with a disease or disorder? The formal diagnosis in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) is substance use disorder (alcohol use disorder, cocaine use disorder, opiate use disorder, etc.) These codes are used so they can collect money from your insurance companies. They get additional money if you are diagnosed with other mental disorders as well, such as generalized anxiety disorder, clinical depression, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, ADD or ADHD, etc. Yes, that’s why so many people are now dual-diagnosed. If they diagnose you with a disease or disorder, they are a 12-step rehab.

What Is Their Measure of Success Post Program?

What is your measure of success post program? Is it complete abstinence from all substances? Is it following aftercare “recovery” protocols? Any rehab that tells you the only indicators of success are complete abstinence and/or following recovery protocols such as attending daily or weekly support group meetings is a 12-step rehab.

What Do They Recommend for Aftercare?

What is your recommendation for aftercare? Any supposed non-12-step rehab that recommends support group meetings (usually 12-step support group meetings) as aftercare is a 12-step-based rehab.

Why Are Many Rehabs Falsely Claiming to Be Non-12-Step?

Many addiction rehabs are now calling themselves non-12-step because there is growing concern that Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step programs are dangerous, cult-like organizations with very low rates of success. Additionally, in many states, courts are no longer allowed to mandate individuals to 12-step programs because in those states, 12-step programs were determined to be religious organizations. Addiction rehabs make millions of dollars on court-mandated patients, so in order to keep getting those mandates, rehabs must distance themselves from 12-step programs, even if it is in name only.

The Problem With 12-Step-Based Rehabs

If you are seeking a non-12-step rehab, don’t fall for their lies, fact-twisting, and manipulation. These false non-12-step rehabs believe the ends (getting you into recovery) justifies the means (lying to you about who they are and the program they are offering). You don’t have to go into an addiction rehab whose primary goal is to undermine your self-efficacy. (In most addiction rehabs, you must “accept your disease” before you can complete their program.)

What a Genuine Non-12-Step Rehab Should Offer

A true non-12-step rehab will not diagnose you with a disease or disorder because there is no disease or disorder that renders people powerless over drugs or alcohol. They will not have you sit in group therapy sessions and support group meetings because these have been shown to be less effective than doing nothing. And they will tell you the truth: data shows that nearly everyone solves their substance use problems, and the majority do so without treatment, without meetings, and without any kind of therapy whatsoever. This is great news! It means that your problem is temporary, and you can solve it and move on, like millions do every year.

How The Freedom Model Provides a True Non-12-Step Approach to Addiction

Michelle Dunbar is the co-founder of The Freedom Model, co-author of The Freedom Model for Addictions: Escape the Treatment and Recovery Trap, and Executive Director of Baldwin Research Institute, Inc. She is one of the leading addiction experts and addiction coaches in the world today. She has been researching addiction and helping people to solve their addictions for 34 years.

Whether you’ve already been to rehab and failed, or this is your first time seeking help for your substance use problem, know that there is an alternative to addiction rehab that is affordable, effective, and truly non-12-step. You don’t have to stop your entire life for weeks or months to solve your problem. The Freedom Model offers online workshops as well as private coaching options either via video conference or in person. Go to www.TheFreedomModel.org or call 1-888-424-2626 for a private discussion to see what Freedom Model option may be right for you or someone you love.