What Kind Of Self-help Drug Abuse Treatment Programs Are Available For Drug Addictions?
Drug Abuse Treatment Program alternatives exist in many forms. A well-known treatment program is the 12-step program, which was started by Alcoholics Anonymous. This program format has carried down to several other drug abuse treatment programs, such as Narcotics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, Marijuana Anonymous, and Crystal Meth Anonymous. The UCLA Drug Abuse Research Center found that 86.4% of the patients that attended at least one meeting per week in the 12-step drug abuse treatment stayed clear of drugs. Only 48.4% of those who did not attend the weekly meetings in the 12-step drug abuse treatment program remained free from drugs. Amazingly, the study also demonstrated that the motivation of treatment was not a factor in success, that merely attending weekly meetings were the determinant of success. All of the popular 12-Step drug abuse treatment programs are free and attendance is voluntary. The groups are made up of people working together to help each other struggle with recovery. The philosophies of the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step drug abuse treatment programs are based on surrendering to a higher power, supporting others, and taking responsibility for "service to self and others." A group called Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS) is similar to Alcoholics Anonymous, but they support both alcohol and drug addictions in their drug treatment program. SOS relies more on the individual taking care of their own sobriety, rather than the submission to a higher up as Alcoholics Anonymous does. Their philosophy emphasizes self-determination and success. Another program, Women for Sobriety, was originally founded to help women alcoholics who didn't fare well in the male-dominated AA. It is now a drug abuse treatment program for women addicted to alcohol or drugs. The premise of this program is that women and men have different needs during the recovery process. Similar to AA, there are weekly group support meetings. However, the women have changed the 12 steps to 13 affirmations on emotional and spiritual growth.
Another type of drug abuse treatment program that is based on self-help principals, is called Smart Recovery. This type of program focuses on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and has a 4-point method of recovery which include the motivation to quit, how to cope with urges, problem solving and lifestyle balance. People who participate in this program might want to abstain from drugs or just manage their addiction. Smart Recovery believes that managing an addiction is a step to recovery, and it does not want to discredit any means that might help. Self-help drug abuse treatment programs are a good choice for people with jobs and families that are suffering from addictions that are interfering with their lives. Participating in a self-help drug abuse treatment program and having a supportive family or friends to support your attendance is a giant step to your new life of recovery. |
