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 on in Recovery?

AA is a wonderful supplemental program for addiction recovery. However, a person who has just started to work through their addiction will not receive enough guidance and help from this program alone in order to stay safe in the early part of recovery. This is one of the hardest times on an addict and one of the most likely points where relapse can occur.

Therefore, if you want to attend AA during this time, it is necessary to do so as part of a professional rehab program. This is actually a very beneficial choice for recovery and a solid treatment option, as the National Institute on Drug Abuse states, “Self-help groups can complement and extend the effects of professional treatment” for those patients who participate in both.

AA as a Part of Professional Rehab

Early Recovery

AA alone doesn’t provide the care and attention needed during early recovery.

Many rehab programs encourage and even utilize the 12-step process and AA meetings in treatment. And if you are interested in this type of program, it could be very helpful to you to find one that does.

The NIDA even highlights a type of behavioral therapy called 12-step facilitation that is designed “to increase the likelihood of a substance abuser becoming affiliated with and actively involved in 12 step self-help groups, thereby promoting abstinence.”

In programs like these, you will often be able to:

  • Attend AA meetings with other individuals in your treatment facility
  • Discuss the 12 steps and your journey through them with your counselor
  • Ask any questions you may have about self-help groups and their benefits
  • Create a solid foundation of recovery that also allows you to feel comfortable in these types of groups

This treatment is ideal for many individuals who want to start AA as soon as possible but also need more intensive help in a controlled environment, a treatment aspect that is often necessary for those who have just entered recovery.

Safely Navigating AA in Early Recovery

AA can be a safe program for those in the early stages of their recoveries, as long as it is part of or is attended in addition to a professional addiction treatment program.

Those individuals who attempt to recover early with AA alone often struggle because they require the intensive care and hands-on approach they will only find at a professional rehab facility. Fortunately, many rehab centers provide both to new patients and allow individuals to build a treatment plan that suits their needs.

Seek Addiction Treatment Now

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