Alternatives to 12 Step Recovery

[Shelwoy]

Anyone pratice recovery from other sources beside NA or AA? Ho w do you like it? Have you found local support groups? I am in the early stages of starting a Medication Assisted Treatment Peer Support Group locally, and will use the sciectific values in recovery instead of 12 step ased recovery.People need to know there are other paths to getting clean and not all of them are based on 12 step ideals. Let me know if you have any info, thanks

[laurel453]

i'd also like any info you can give us about this approach. thanks.

[Shelwoy]

Thanks for your replies.I have to attend 2 twelve step meetings a week as part of my recovery program.I do find some information helpful, and am not against the process whatsoever.I just have personal views that differ, and being on medication for addiction is becoming more common, and I have had the best year of my life because of it.I have felt change and growth more because of my methods than the help of many facets of recovery.The last time I put all of my faith in 12 step recovery, I relapsed and stayed out there for many years.I have reached new ground and have been in recovery over a year now, and it feels so good!!

[january43]

I am, amongst other things, also a Bodhisattva-a person seeking enlightenment.
I have been reading a book by Lama Surya Das and find it helps me focus.   This is not religion, as a person may be any-or no-religion and still seek to be a Bodhisattva.
The book "Buddha is as Buddha does" gives me universal tools to encourage and enlighten me.
Corey I will look for your Mindful Recovery book-it sounds like something I can relate to.
And, VicoMom..I am also a scientifically directed thinker....I like to know how and why things work and don't accept much on faith.  I like facts.
And, along with that, I am a practicing Crone in a small coven.....I think I have it covered there......
I did go to a couple of NA meetings and the concepts of focusing on the problem, repeating that the person talking is an addict-it's like a self-fulfilling statement.  If you keep saying you are something, then you are.
If I keep telling myself I am an intelligent, motivated, thinking, enlightened woman, than I become what my mind believes.
As Corey said-find what works for you.  From Buddha to NA to Science and work with it.
january43

[corey411]

There is a article under health topics on it. I went to NA for almost 4 months and was using after the first 5 1/2 weeks. I could not tell my sponcer bc there was so much drama and closed mindedness on anything not even touching ,"I relapsed" that I did not feel comfortable. I know this works for many but there are alternatives. I was told to stop using my Clonopin which I used(not on a daily basis but for panic attacks regularly) and did not abuse. My DOC was opiates. I was told by several members that I was making excuses by stating you just cannot stop and I would get on an antidepressant and wean. I could not count clean time for a month until I quit therefore could not work steps. I was told seeing a psychologist is not recommended until you've been in NA at least 6 months....This is not in their literature though. Was also told I should just stay at my job although pills were constantly there"just keep coming to meetings, there will always be pills in your life"The time I stayed clean in NA was the shortest all year and the time that I used...2 months...the longest. It's not there fault I used again. Just thought the advise was dangerous.

I read a few books on non 12 step programs and handed them off to my son so can't remember the first 2 but am now practicing guided meditation from Buddhist monks to be able to "sit" with my feelings, good or bad. I am reading a really good book right now called Mindful recovery...a spiritual path to healing from addiction by Thomas Bien. If you go to amazon.com and search recovery /addiction there are lots of books...some are used and cheap too.
Were not all addicts for the same reason and recovery plan needs to be different. For me this is a spiritual disease. Best to all in recovery. Use what works for you and if you need other avenues take that and move on...It's your recovery...choose wisely. Corey

[VicoMom]

I would also like any feedback on this as 12 Step Programs are not really my thing... I tried them but base a lot of my beliefs more in Science than I do in Religion and found it difficult... But that is a whole other discussion and not one I am up to... :)