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Why 12 steps isn't enough in drug rehab
from: Addiction is a very tricky thing, and that's an understatement! We don’t really understand how it manifests in the brain, and we have therapies and programs of only limited value against future use and abuse.Yet although the therapies we have remain imperfect, they do work for a lot of people, and they do offer the best chance anyone has at sobriety.
But since we don’t yet really understand addiction, don’t yet know exactly how to fight it, and have not yet developed that magic bullet solution of a pill, we need to rely on what works best, and what has proven helpful to millions of addicts throughout the world.
What works for some, doesn't for others
The problem is that what works very well for one does very little for another, and although many people find sobriety and salvation in 12 steps programs such as AA or NA, an equally many people find little of value from the gospel of 12 steps group meetings.
This can be looked at as both a problem, but also an opportunity, and although what helps one won’t help another, we do currently have a number of proven effective therapies and interventions against addiction. And if one doesn’t work, you just need to try another.
No rehab should offer only one form of therapy
This is why drug and alcohol rehabs that concentrate exclusively on one type of therapy, do a disservice to patients in their care. Better rehab programs know well that everyone responds differently to different therapies of intervention, and as such will offer a varied and comprehensive course of treatment, using the best of a number of different strategies to sobriety.
12 steps style meetings are a valuable addition to the rehab experience, but they should not be the only segment of programming and in addition to group meetings, the rehab should run cognitive behavioral classes and therapy, educational seminars against addiction, individual therapy with a trained therapist or psychologist and peripheral programs such as yoga, karate, nutrition and mediation.
Cast a wide net
By offering a very wide net of therapy, the odds are far greater that each participant in a rehab will find something offered personally relevant and resonant, and gain life skills towards relapse avoidance and long term sobriety.
Most better rehabs will offer a wide variety of programming, and you should be wary of a facility that concentrates exclusively on one form of therapy. Nothing works for everyone, and rehabs do not waste time with programming that does not offer beneficial tools toward sobriety.
When selecting a rehab, make sure to inquire about the different types of therapy and peripheral programming offered, and try to select a facility that seems to offer wide, quality and comprehensive therapy and education. It's the best chance to sobriety.
About Author
Christian shire is an addictions professional writing about all matters pertaining to treatment and recovery. If you need help making a decision about treatment visit Choosehelp to read more.
Read the daily addiction blog troubleblog for stories of recovery and the latest news on treatment options.
Source: ArticleTrader.com
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