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Differences between Addiction Treatment & 12 Step Recovery

12 Step Recovery meeting

 

It is important for people that do not know about either addiction treatment or 12 Step recovery programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous to understand the difference between the two. It is important to make the distinction between the two, because they are not the same thing.

Drug rehab, addiction treatment, substance abuse treatment take place at professional treatment facilities, often offering different levels of care in a residential or an outpatient setting. Treatment centers typically have some type of time limits associated with the treatment and they are paid services or services provided through local, state or federal programs for those that cannot afford to pay. Treatment involves different modalities of therapy and can take place in different settings, such as individual therapy, group therapy and family therapy settings. Some addiction treatment centers incorporate the 12 Steps into a specific group or as an approach, but 12 Step groups in a drug rehab does not constitute taking the 12 Steps or being involved in a 12 Step program.

12 Step recovery programs like AA and NA are not really “programs” at all, but instead are fellowships of people meeting together with a common problem and a common solution. The actual program is the 12 Steps, meaning that someone can attend AA or NA meetings but if they are not actively taking the 12 Steps than they really are not in the AA or NA program but are instead just in the fellowship and attend meetings. 12 Step recovery programs are free, although they do pass a basket to take a dollar or two of donations to be self-supporting as a group. Attendees at meetings can give a dollar if they so choose, but nothing is expected. There are no clinicians or therapists and no administrators. The purpose is simply for one addict or alcoholic to help another through their own personal experience of recovery. AA and NA have no established time limits and in fact hope that active involvement in both the fellowship and the program will be a lifelong endeavor.

Here are some other important differences to make between rehab or therapy and 12 Step recovery:

The important thing to remember is that 12 Step recovery is not treatment or therapy, although treatment can incorporate the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous and certainly both can work together in collaboration. The simple way to look at the process for someone needing help with substance abuse or drug addiction is the initial phase of getting help is usually through drug rehab or a treatment center where as the sustainable, long term recovery will come through the 12 Step fellowships. Of course the purpose of each is to take someone suffering from drug and alcohol addiction and give them the necessary tools to take them from a place of pain and loneliness and hopelessness where they can’t stop using to a place where they are not only clean and sober but also happily and usefully whole.

If you or someone you know is suffering from a drug and alcohol addiction and needs treatment please call us for help. Maryland Addiction Recovery Center offers the most comprehensive addiction treatment in the area. If we aren’t the best fit, we will work with you to find a treatment center that fits your needs. Please call us at (410) 773-0500 or email info@marylandaddictionrecovery.com. For more information on all of our alcohol and addiction treatment services and resources, please visit the web site at www.marylandaddictionrecovery.com.

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