18 May Is a 12 Step Recovery Program Still Relevant?
First, Lanna Rehab is not a “12-Step Recovery Program” in the traditional sense. Meaning, we offer a 12-step program if in talking to you that’s what you want, or part of what you want. We believe in custom creating a treatment program to the individual case and sometimes, for some people, a 12-step solution is part of the treatment, sometimes it isn’t, but it is never the only solution here.
Today, there are many different therapies and treatments that can be used in the treatment of addiction. There is far more science involved and many psychological therapies are now used to deal with the issues that led to the addiction, such as an earlier trauma. In those cases, the addiction can be part of a self-medicating behavior the individual has been using to deal with, or avoid dealing with, the actual issue. Once that trauma is addressed, the addiction is usually eradicated, as well.
All that being said, we believe the 12 Steps are a valuable tool for many cases of addiction. The 12 steps are all about having a support system, which is fantastic. People simply need other people in life, that’s what it’s all about, and having that opportunity to create healthy, supportive relationships is a truly wonderful benefit. The 12 Steps are also about finding some sense of spirituality. This can mean different things to different people. To some, it actually means religion, and that’s fine, we support that. To others, it may mean developing a more spiritually minded lifestyle that is not rooted in religion, but in a reverence for God, or humanity, or life. It may simply mean having respect for life. “Surrendering to a higher power” can mean different things. For some people, their higher power becomes their family, or their children, for others, it’s the earth itself. Finding a more “spiritual” way to live is a benefit no matter who you are.
But, at Lanna, we’ll combine your 12-Steps with Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) among other new, proven methods of dealing with the psychological aspects of addiction. For those who need a little medicinal help during detox, for example, to deal with sleeplessness or anxiety or withdrawal symptoms, that is also a possible on the advice of our doctor. Plus art therapy, massage, healing nutrition and even “elephant therapy” – it’s kind of like equine therapy, only different. It builds trust, self-confidence, respect for life and a sense of wonder and amazement at what the world has to offer.
So, if you need treatment and want to consider a 12-Step addiction recovery program as part of your treatment, the first step is to give is a call or email us and let’s discuss what a treatment program for you, and you specifically, can be.
