Non 12-Step Treatment

I worked in a luxury Malibu treatment center for several years while obtaining my doctoral degree. What I witnessed at that Malibu treatment center at that time is still impacting me today. After reading An Intervention for Malibu in the New York Times on the problems with Malibu treatment centers, a lot of the old memories came rushing to the surface.

Over the years, we’ve spoken to hundreds of people suffering from a Dual Diagnosis of addiction and a mental health disorder, such as depression or anxiety. Many of these people are in Washington state and ask us about the different dual diagnosis treatment center options available here.

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There are more than 14,500 residential drug and alcohol rehabs in the United States today, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Even if you've narrowed your criteria to Non-12 Step rehabs, you still face over 3,600 options.

No wonder so many people feel overwhelmed at the prospect of finding a treatment program that fits their needs!

That's why we've created this list, comparing the best non-12 Step rehab facilities in the US on over 25 attributes. 

Most everyone knows about the 12-step approach that’s helped people in recovery since the 1930s. The program welcomes anyone from all religious backgrounds as well as the non-religious. However, some individuals have a difficult time with its precepts. They do better with non 12 step addiction recovery programs.

The 12-step approach to drug and alcohol addiction treatment has been around for decades. Many people have overcome addiction using this method. However, some people may want a non-12 step recovery approach. How does recovery without 12 steps differ from the 12-step model? Moreover, can it help you?

When you’re seeking a treatment center for yourself or a loved one, only programs of the highest caliber matter. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the best non 12 Step rehabs in the country.

Deciding to go with a non 12 Step program that supports dual diagnosis treatment does narrow the field considerably. Non 12 Step rehabs comprise just 26% of total US rehabs, according to recent statistics from American Addiction Centers.

However, that number still represents approximately 3,600 rehab facilities from coast to coast!

If you’ve been struggling with an addiction for any length of time, chances are good that you’ve been told to get yourself to a 12 Steps meeting, pronto. The 12 Steps are the prevailing addiction recovery paradigm in America today, and for many people, they provide much-needed help and support.

But what if you’ve already tried a 12 Step-centered program, and it didn’t work for you?

“It works if you work it.”

If you’ve been to 12 Step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA), then chances are good that you have heard this popular program catchphrase. Here’s another variation: “AA will work if you want it to work.”

But is it really true? Is it possible to work a 12 Step program wholeheartedly and have it not work for you?

12 Step programs have been the standard of care in both outpatient and residential addiction treatment for the better part of the last century.

But if these programs work so well, then why do we see so many people struggling to stay sober after rehab? Why do we see dismal relapse rates?

A 12 Step program takes its cues from Alcoholics Anonymous. It acknowledges that you’re powerless over your addiction. Moreover, it encourages you to call on a higher power for assistance. If you have a difficult time with one or more of these concepts, non 12 Step treatment centers may be a better option.