Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is the gold standard for substance abuse aftercare. You don’t have to be religious to participate in this program. Even so, it rubs some people the wrong way. Did you know that there are excellent alternatives for AA?
The Tenets of AA
AA encourages program participants to enter into communication with a higher power. It doesn’t matter what you call this entity. What matters is that you acknowledge you need its help to overcome addiction. This tenet sends some people looking for the SMART recovery program in Kansas City, KS.
Alternatives for AA
SMART stands for self-management and recovery training. It’s one of the alternatives for AA. Instead of acknowledging personal powerlessness, participants empower themselves to change. You focus on the aspects of your personality that crave drugs or alcohol. Next, you work with peers in a group setting to tackle these issues head-on.
SMART thrives on a balanced approach to life and recovery. Moreover, it urges people to take stock of their feelings and cravings. You self-motivate to prevent giving in. Besides that, you manage your emotions and actions.
What are some alternatives to AA and SMART? S.O.S. is another organization that is moving into the spotlight. Because people don’t like the directions AA or SMART are going, they prefer a smaller setup. S.O.S. champions responsibility for your actions and complete abstinence.
Another choice is Moderation Management. This program allows you to drink alcohol in moderation. However, you have the responsibility to change problematic habits. If you can’t abide by moderation, then you must choose complete abstinence from alcohol.
Dealing with a Use Disorder
Before you can decide on the best option for your aftercare program, you need to overcome a use disorder. For most people, this means rehab. When you check into a facility, you learn what causes you to reach for substances. Besides that, you develop ways of handling stressors and triggers better.
Possible treatments include:
- Medication-assisted treatment that encourages you to deal with cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy to facilitate personal growth for the development of coping strategies
- Dual diagnosis treatment that assists with the management of mental health concerns
- Trauma treatment to remove stressors and triggers that come from negative situations from the past
When you undergo these treatments in a private setting, you have an excellent client-to-clinician ratio. It enables you to spend time with a therapist and talk through your thoughts and feelings. It’s a time of personal growth and self-actualization. Besides that, you develop good workarounds for dealing with life.
What Comes After Treatment?
What are some alternatives to AA? During your relapse prevention training, you might explore different groups. You learn what to look for in a chapter that functions well. Most importantly, you understand why it’s essential that you participate in these groups.
Addiction is something that separates you from others. Support groups are the antidotes to this process. You thrive on mutual encouragement and accountability. Therefore, it’s easier to prevent a relapse from occurring.
Find out how you can enroll in treatment today. At that time, you might also ask about alternatives for AA. Therapists at the Sunflower Wellness Retreat gladly answer all of your questions. Call 855.730.8825 today.
