Non-12-Step Treatment in Lakewood, CO
Lakewood, Colorado, has seen its share of substance use disorder problems, especially with drug overdose deaths and hospitalizations. In addition, it’s a hotspot for travel and a part of the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. People seeking support in overcoming addiction might want to consider non-12-step rehab programs.
Twelve-step support has a long history in the addiction recovery community. When seeking fellowship for drug or alcohol dependence, Alcoholics Anonymous might be the first group that comes to mind.
Some take comfort from following the steps, admitting powerlessness to their addiction as they work on their recovery, but others tend to shy away, preferring a more secular path.
Fortunately, there are non-12-step alternatives in and around Lakewood, Colorado, to help people through their recovery.
Is There a Need for Non-12-Step Rehab in Lakewood, CO?
Jefferson County, of which Lakewood is a part, has been affected by drug abuse. Between 2019 and 2020, drug-related deaths rose more than 50%, from 98 to 156. The county has made an effort to educate the public about the risks of overdose and reduce the stigma surrounding it. Still, it’s a challenge since Colorado’s drug overdose rate outpaces the national rate. Opioids factor considerably into that.
Jefferson County is also part of the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (RMHIDTA). The RMHIDTA works with local, state, and federal authorities to try and stop regional drug trafficking. The RMHIDTA covers 30 counties in Colorado, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming. Denver, just a few miles from Lakewood, is the headquarters of the trafficking area.
Why Do Non-Twelve Step Treatment Programs in Lakewood, CO, Exist?
Twelve steps provide their members a template for sobriety, working the steps as they practice honesty, faith, humility, and more. Not everyone likes the spiritual angle, even though most 12-steps don’t make faith a requirement.
That’s where non-12-steps may be appealing. The best non-12-step rehab programs in Lakewood, Colorado, understand that people sometimes prefer a different path toward sobriety.
There are several differences between 12-step and non-12-step treatment programs:
- Secularity. 12-step programs are usually spiritual but not necessarily religious. Atheists and agnostics—as well as non-Christian faiths—sometimes prefer non-12-steps because they don’t bring up a higher power as part of the process. Non-12-steps aren’t anti-religious; they just don’t make faith a key part of the equation.
- Self-control. Non-12-step programs believe the individual has the strength to achieve sobriety. Addiction is not seen as a moral shortcoming. A person can work on their motivation and self-control as opposed to admitting powerlessness to their addiction.
- Changing approaches. Non-AA rehab in Lakewood, CO, may be less static than 12 steps. Techniques may shift if new research looks promising in moving past addiction.
- Leave out the labels. Non-12 steps don’t always see addiction as a lifelong battle that needs continuous maintenance. Some people do need that, but others may prefer to focus less on the past and look toward the now and the future.
What Are Some Options for Non-12-Step Recovery Programs in Lakewood, CO?
Some of the best options for non-12-step recovery in Lakewood, Colorado, include:
SMART Recovery
SMART (Self-Management and Recovery Training) Recovery has support group meetings worldwide. Not only are they for people trying to overcome drug or alcohol dependence, but they also welcome individuals with other addictions, including shopping, gambling, or overeating.
They have a 4-Point Program that aims to help change behaviors. Members work to:
- Find the motivation to change.
- Develop ways to handle the urge to use.
- Find ways to cope with feelings, thoughts, and behaviors in productive ways.
- Live a healthy and balanced life.
According to SMART Recovery, people are driven to survive, avoid pain, and find pleasure. Those impulses can turn self-destructive when they involve addictive or dangerous behaviors, and the relief they provide is only short-term.
SMART Recovery helps people steer away from those self-sabotaging actions. People will address their anger, anxiety, poor self-esteem, and self-acceptance. Self-destructive behaviors will be replaced with healthier ones. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a major component of SMART Recovery.
SMART Recovery has meetings both online and in-person around the Lakewood, Colorado, area. Be sure to double-check if an in-person meetup has moved online due to COVID-19.
LifeRing Secular Recovery
LifeRing Secular Recovery aims to help its members become abstinent from alcohol and drug abuse through a 3-S philosophy of:
- Sobriety
- Secularity
- Self-help
LifeRing believes people can overcome addiction. It will take work, and there may be stumbling blocks, but it’s possible. They believe each person has a “Sober Self” and an “Addict Self.” The goal is to build up the sober half and minimize the addict half.
Higher powers and sponsors are fine in LifeRing, but they adhere to the belief that the individual is the best designer of their recovery. They know their triggers. They know what sets off cravings. They also know (or can learn) better alternatives.
Meetings are held in person as well as online. Email groups and forums are options, too.
Women For Sobriety
Women For Sobriety was founded by a sociologist specifically for women who are overcoming substance use disorders. Women from all walks of life and all kinds of backgrounds are welcome to explore WFS’s 13-Point New Life program.
The goal of WFS is to provide support and empower its members. They also address the challenges unique to women in recovery. Addiction isn’t seen as a moral failure. It’s a serious disorder that needs work and healing. The belief is that some women resort to substance use due to guilt, depression, and low self-esteem. WFS works to heal that through nourishing real needs and improving one’s self-worth. Key tools to achieve that include:
- Positive reinforcement
- Positive thinking
- Healing the body (through exercise, diet, meditation)
Groups meet in person and online, including in the Denver area. Many meetings have been moved online due to social distancing concerns.
How Are Non-12-Step Rehabs in Lakewood, CO, Similar to Other Approaches to Sobriety?
When a person goes to rehab in Colorado (or other locations), whether they prefer 12-step or non-12-step approaches, the experience tends to consist of:
- Assessment. The patient will be evaluated to determine their overall health, and a treatment plan is devised.
- Detox. The patient is weaned off drugs or alcohol. Depending on the severity of the addiction and the substances in question, withdrawal can be painful and even dangerous. Medications may be prescribed to help the process along. Detox can be one of the hardest stages of recovery, so expert help is critical.
- Treatment. Once the patient completes detox, they’ll move on to individual and group counseling, family therapy, life skills lessons, support groups, medication management, and more.
- Aftercare. This phase begins during treatment, preparing the patient for life after rehab. They’ll have developed coping mechanisms and ways to deal with stress to better prevent relapse.
Non-12-step recovery programs in Lakewood, CO, tend to take a more self-empowering approach to recovery. For some people, that’s a preferred way to go about it.
Sources
Medical disclaimer:
Sunshine Behavioral Health strives to help people who are facing substance abuse, addiction, mental health disorders, or a combination of these conditions. It does this by providing compassionate care and evidence-based content that addresses health, treatment, and recovery.
Licensed medical professionals review material we publish on our site. The material is not a substitute for qualified medical diagnoses, treatment, or advice. It should not be used to replace the suggestions of your personal physician or other health care professionals.
