Alternatives to AA: How Non 12 Step Rehab Can Empower Recovery

Do 12 Step Recovery Groups Work for Everyone?  

Keith Humphreys, a Stanford University psychiatry and behavioral science researcher and team validated in a study the efficacy of 12-Step programs and “determined that AA was nearly always found to be more effective than psychotherapy in achieving abstinence. In addition, most studies showed that AA participation lowered health care costs.” 

The study continued, “AA works because it’s based on social interaction … members give one another emotional support as well as practical tips to refrain from drinking.” Humphreys is quoted, “If you want to change your behavior, find some other people who are trying to make the same change.” 

However, despite their longstanding presence in the recovery community, 12-step groups may not be the right fit for everyone for some potential reasons: 

Focus on Religion and Spiritual Forces  

Many 12-Step programs assign a strong emphasis on spirituality, that you must admit powerlessness to your addiction and surrender to a higher power. This philosophy may not align with your personal or religious beliefs or resonate with your worldview, or it may clash with your values regarding recovery and sobriety.  

Although the spiritual component inherent to AA, NA and other recovery groups are deeply meaningful for some people, it might deter others from fully engaging in group meetings or leave them disconnected or ultimately misunderstood — possibly leading to increased substance abuse or relapse.  

Lack of Individualized Approach 

Many people who have gotten sober swear by the 12 Steps as part of their recovery journey. But some attendees of group meetings may find the process somewhat limiting because the structure of the 12 Steps — for instance, in an AA setting — apply to everyone.  

This uniformity plays an integral role in creating the sense of community and solidarity in traveling the road of recovery together, but they don’t address the unique, individualized factors that come into play with addiction — the nuances that separate one person’s substance use disorder from another’s. Because there is no variation of the rules that the 12 Steps apply, this lack of a tailored approach may leave you yearning for more personalized strategies that consider your individual history, experiences and goals (an approach present in talk therapy, for instance). 

Peer-Led Meetings 

The shared experiences between you and your peers at a 12-Step-focused meeting can prove invaluable to your own recovery. Here, you can gain insights and perceive new perspectives you might never have obtained on your own.  

But remember that while peer support fosters a sense of camaraderie and mutual accountability, meetings are led by members rather than trained professionals. (“NA meetings are run by and for addicts,” notes the NA website.) The ultimate absence of professional guidance from an addiction counselor or psychotherapist may mean some of the more complex psychological or medical issues you face, or the care you need, may go overlooked. 

Non 12 Step Programs for Substance Abuse   

If you’ve tried attending meetings but found them ineffective or misaligned with your personal beliefs, this isn’t a sign of weakness, personal failing or that you’re not “good enough” for a 12-Step program. It just means that an alternative approach might work for you better.  

Consider looking into some of these non 12 Step recovery models that can empower you in your journey. 

SMART Recovery 

Self-Management and Recovery Training, or SMART, is a secular recovery modality that’s designed for people struggling with substance use disorders. Unlike AA or NA, SMART doesn’t require its participants to admit to a powerlessness over addiction. Rather, it encourages self-management (that people can manage their own actions and behaviors) — that you rationally choose your own tools and skills to get clean and sober.  

SMART is a rehab without 12 steps, evidence-led program rooted in two types of therapies: Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Founded in 1994, there are 2,500 recovery groups in more than 23 countries. Is SMART Recovery the right option for you? 

“Compared to people who attended AA, study participants who chose SMART tended to have less severe problems with alcohol use,” notes a comparison of SMART and AA by Harvard Medical School. “They had more education, higher rates of employment and greater economic resources. They were also less likely to have had prior treatment or involvement with the criminal justice system. SMART may be a particularly good fit for people with that kind of profile.” 

LifeRing Secular Recovery 

Because LifeRing is a secular support group, it is free from religious overtones and emphasizes self-help and personal responsibility through positive social reinforcement. “We encourage each participant to work out their own particular path and to use the group process as a workshop for that purpose,” states the LifeRing website. Group support meetings, which can be in-person or online, are run by convenors who have also been in recovery.  

As a recovery option, LifeRing has gained in popularity since it was founded in 2001. According to its 2024 annual report, local LifeRing meetings make up over 40% of the group’s meetings globally, and its online meeting monthly attendance has recently seen year-over-year growth of 32.6%. 

Women for Sobriety  

Women for Sobriety (WFS) was founded in 1975 as the first peer-led recovery group for women looking to overcome substance abuse. It stands out as a non 12 Step alcohol rehab option that values a gender-specific approach, where the New Life Program comprises its own 13 acceptance statements meant to foster a new mode of thinking and living.  

“As women with addictions, we must learn about ourselves and how to avoid the pitfalls of faulty thinking and destructive behavior that used to lead us to taking that first drink or drug, even though we sometimes did not want to,” states the WFS website. 

The Public Health Institute published a longitudinal study where people in recovery believed that alternative support groups like SMART, LifeRing, and Women For Sobriety are just as effective as AA.  

“After controlling for demographic variables and other variables, including the severity of participants’ (alcohol use disorder) AUD, psychiatric diagnoses, and abstinence goals, researchers have concluded that alternatives to 12-Step programs are likely as effective in treating AUD as AA,” says the study. 

Moderation Management  

Moderation Management (MM) was founded in 1994 by Audrey Kishline and presents a unique alternative to recovery since it focuses on non-dependent drinkers looking to moderate their alcohol use rather than total abstinence, which can be appealing if you’re exploring and seeking drug rehab non 12 Step support groups that offer more flexibility. 

“MM empowers individuals to accept personal responsibility for choosing and maintaining their own path, whether moderation or abstinence,” says the group’s website. MM meetings are held both in-person and online and require a 30-day abstinence period followed by daily limits on one’s drinking.  

“MM’s members, on average, are less alcohol-dependent and have higher social capital than individuals who participate in Alcoholics Anonymous or seek inpatient alcohol treatment,” notes a study by the American Psychological Association. “(MM’s) defenders point out that MM may prevent some problem drinkers from progressing to a more deteriorated state such that abstinence would be necessary.” 

Other Options for Substance Abuse Recovery  

Peer-led support groups, whether it’s 12-Step or alternative organizations, hold a valuable place in helping people work toward their own substance abuse recovery from drugs or alcohol. In tandem with the services you can find at a non 12 Step drug rehab center, you can receive professional treatment from compassionate caregivers committed to your sobriety. 

Here’s what you can expect from a non 12 step alcohol rehab facility like the Haven in Lacey, WA: 

• Individualized treatment: Non 12 step rehab centers tailor treatment to fit your needs. The nature of your addiction, your medical history and other extenuating factors are all taken into consideration. 

• Medical detox: A clinically supervised detox makes sure that any withdrawal symptoms you may experience after stopping use of alcohol or drugs are safely managed. 

• Dual diagnosis treatment: Many people struggling with addiction also face underlying mental health conditions, known as a co-occurring disorder. Non 12 step recovery programs such as those we offer at Royal Life Centers integrate mental health care into treatment. 

• Modern therapeutic interventions: Evidence-based therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), trauma therapy and holistic methods help address the root causes of addiction. 

Following formalized treatment at our drug and alcohol rehab facility, you have the chance for aftercare options, like sober living or alumni services for graduates of our inpatient or outpatient programs. We can also connect you with the same types of support groups mentioned in this article located in your area.  

If you or a loved one struggles with addiction, we can help and want to help. One phone call holds the power to change everything. Don’t hesitate to reach out and contact us about substance abuse treatment, our campus, cost, insurance coverage or for other questions you may have.