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Who Answers?It isn’t always easy to stay on track with the 12 steps. There may be some issues blocking you from success with the program, but it is also important to note that no treatment is right for everyone. Call
800-948-8417
Who Answers?
now to find safe, reliable rehab centers where you can recover from substance abuse and learn more about AA.
You May Need More Help
Especially for someone early on in their recovery, the 12 steps can be a bit hands-off as far as treatment is concerned. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration, “AA does not view itself as a treatment modality,” as meetings are not run by healthcare professionals but rather by a group of recovering addicts.
Often, attempting to go straight from substance abuse to recovery without the help of a professional program is too difficult, and many people struggle as they attempt to stay on track with the 12 steps.
If you attend treatment at a professional rehab center, your doctors, nurses, and counselors will likely encourage you to participate in a 12-step program, either during or after your treatment has ended (National Institute on Drug Abuse).
Many rehab centers offer on-site support group meetings and counseling that often focuses on the 12-step approach. In many cases, people are much more likely to stay on track if they have the assistance of medical professionals guiding them through the program, especially in the beginning.
You May Need to Skip a Step
You may need to skip a step if you’re struggling with it, and go back to it later.
If you are having trouble focusing on the steps or struggling with one in particular, it is possible to skip around in the order of things. Although you will absolutely want to return to each step and ensure that you have done your best to meet it, you could possibly skip forward to something a little easier on you (for example, prayer, meditation, or talking to others about your experience). This may strengthen your ability to continue with the program.
You Should Become More Involved
Some people struggle with AA and feel that they cannot stay on track with the steps because they are not as involved in the overall program as they should be. According to the NIDA, one of the three key ideas of 12-step facilitation therapy (a counseling program that helps patients understand AA better with the help of a licensed therapist) is “active involvement” in 12-step meetings or other activities.
If you haven’t been very involved in the program, this is likely to make it much harder for you to stay on track with the 12 steps, and it is important to become more involved.
AA Isn’t for Everyone
If you have tried many different ways to make AA work for you, there is a possibility that this program isn’t the right fit for you. No treatment option is right for everyone, but you should also give your recovery the effort it deserves by trying as hard as you can to stay on track with AA. If it still isn’t working, it might be better to move on to another program.
Find Treatment Today
If you would like to find a rehab center that offers 12-step therapy as well as other beneficial recovery options, call
800-948-8417
Who Answers?
now.
Is AA Safe for Early Recovery?
AA alone isn’t enough of a treatment program for someone in the early stages of recovery. But when a person can attend meetings and utilize the 12-step method as a part of professional rehab, AA can be very beneficial for those just starting to recover from addiction. Why Isn’t AA Alone Safe for Those Early…