Recovery: Your Many Options
What is the Best Recovery Program for Me?
If you are new to recovery (or considering it), one of the most important questions is: “What is the best recovery program for me?” Thankfully, those suffering from addiction (Substance Use Disorder (SUD)) have many proven options to improve their chances of achieving long-term sobriety and living a happier, more fulfilling life.
Be kind to yourself, and explore with an open mind. None of the programs are perfect, but each has unique qualities that speak to the many different perspectives and backgrounds of those in recovery.
Treat picking a program like eating at a bountiful buffet: sample a lot of dishes and see what tastes best. Do you want ice cream, ribs, and sushi? Great! Load up your plate! Just pizza? That is fine, too.
Remember, perfection is not required. You do not need to follow every aspect of one specific program, 100%, to get great benefits. You can attend as many different types of meetings as you would like. Or you can attend just one. Regardless, if you are open minded, you will embark on an awesome journey, a unique path that will bring a new-found sense of contentment and purpose.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA):
AA is the original and most well-known recovery program. AA was founded in Akron, Ohio when, in 1935, one alcoholic (Bill Wilson) talked to another alcoholic (Dr. Bob Smith) about the nature of alcoholism. The rest, they say, is history, as AA has grown to be the largest and most popular recovery program.
Like Dr. Bob and Bill Wilson did that fateful day in 1935, the act of one alcoholic (or addict) talking to another addict about the disease of addiction is the most important part of staying sober and building long-term recovery. Some of the hallmarks of AA include:
12-Step Program (w/ Spiritual Foundation): Through the “12 Steps,” members admit they are powerless over alcohol (and/or drugs) and seek help from a “higher power” to achieve sobriety.
A quick note: The term “Higher Power” (HP) means a power greater than oneself; while it can be religious in nature, it is not required (examples, include: nature, science, God, Buddha, etc.). AA is not a religious organization.
Sponsorship: Experienced AA members (who have completed the 12 Steps) serve as “sponsors” to newer AA members, helping them work the 12 Steps.
Anonymity: The “spiritual foundation” of AA, anonymity protects new members from stigma.
Abstinence: AA is an abstinence-based program. “The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking.”
“The AA Promises”
“If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are halfway through. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others.
That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self-seeking will slip away. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change. Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.
Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us (sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly). They will always materialize if we work for them.”
Refuge Recovery (RR): “A Buddhist Inspired Path to Recovery from Addiction”
RR is a non-profit founded on the idea that Buddhist principles and practices create a strong foundation for the addiction recovery process. “Wisdom and compassion enable those struggling with any form of addiction to become more mindful of their mental processes, while also developing a deep understanding of the suffering that addiction has created and compassion for their own pain.”
Abstinence: RR is an abstinence-based program.
Core Principles: Mindfulness, compassion, forgiveness, and generosity.
Meditation: Peer-led, guided meditations; topics include forgiveness, mindfulness (of the mind, breath and body), compassion, “Loving Kindness,” “Appreciative Joy,” and more.
The Four Truths of Refuge Recovery:
Addiction Creates Suffering
The cause of addiction is repetitive craving
Recovery is possible
The path to recovery is available
The Eightfold Path to Recovery:
Understanding
Intention
Communication/Community
Action
Livelihood/Service
Effort
Mindfulness/Meditations
Concentration/Meditations
SMART Recovery: “Self-Management and Recovery Therapy”
SMART is an international non-profit that assists those seeking abstinence from addiction (and those wanting to moderate consumption). The SMART approach is secular and science-based, using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and non-confrontational motivational methods. Unlike AA, SMART does not encourage people to admit “powerlessness” over addiction(s) and does not use the “Higher Power” concept.
Secular & Science-Based: Unlike AA and RR, there is no spiritual component to SMART.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Using the SMART Workbook, individuals focus on a CBT approach to limiting (or eliminating entirely) the use of drugs and alcohol
No Abstinence Requirement: SMART is open to all (including those seeking abstinence), but abstinence is not required.
Be Kind to Yourself and Keep an Open Mind
As you begin your recovery journey, be kind to yourself and remember that things take time. Do not put pressure on yourself to find the perfect program. Instead, try many different meetings, in many different locations. An AA meeting up the block may be terrible, but the one across town is fantastic.
You will discover what is best. At meetings, say hello to people; strike up conversations. If there is anything I have learned in recovery, it is that people in recovery are fantastic. We are a unique breed. And that is the beauty of attending meetings: you all come from different backgrounds and experiences, but you are all the same. You are all working hard on recovery and improving your lives.