Is there non-religious, non-12 step drug treatment available?

Question

I am hoping to get help for a family member dealing with depression and subsequent drug abuse. The help will only be received if it comes from a medical or psychological point of view. Can anyone help?

in response: while i take no issue with a spiritual perspective, i know the help will not be received by the family member if in a spiritually based program. hopefully at some point this person will be open to a higher power. at this point i just want to get them help in a way they can receive it.

Answer 1

There is a program called Rational Recovery, but it isn't available everywhere. If you call a local recovery center they should be able to refer you.

Just for the record, all of the 12-step programs are based on the medical model of substance abuse, but incorporate a spiritual component as well.

Answer 2

Just to let you know what I have learned about any 12 step programe is that someone only has to believe in a Power greater than themselves. Not God, that created the Earth.
Apparently all of the steps take a while to do.
But perhaps if your relative thinks of it like this, is there nothing higher than themselves - even mother nature?

If they just cant grasp that or don't want to or for whatever reason they don't want to do a 12 step programe,
There are plenty of drug & alcohol rehabs around & good proffessional counsellers they may want to see once or twice a week, or whatever they agree to.

I don't know where you are, but if you ring your local hospital, I'm sure they'd know where to point them in the right direction.
Other than that, if your relative is still using, if they show up at a hospital & are also depressed, the hospitals legally bound to help them. Maybe put them in a ward to 'dry' out, & get some anti-depressants happening.
I hope it all goes well x

Answer 3

Alot of people who want to stop drinking have a hard time with the "God" concept. Does the person really want the help and asked you, or are you trying to get them to go? You can't change the person unless they want it. Try going to Al-Anon for yourself first and see if that helps you. Rational recovery is " non-religious" but I have had an experience with the owner through emails and he is very angry and resentful against AA and there have been many psychologists and addiction experts in medical fields, etc that feel that that program is not very helpful. Your person should check into treatment.

AA is not religious and never claimed to be. Please read the 12 traditions of AA and see what I mean. It would help to read the Big Book of AA to see what they're about before making a decision. AA does have a medical and psychological point of view if you read the book. It takes in all points of view.

Best to research very thoroughly before making a judgement.

Please visit this great website to see what it is about. http://www.step12.com/traditions-checklist.html

AA members should not let language, religion (or lack of it), race, education, age, or other such things interfere with carrying the message of sobriety.

Answer 4

I agree with Amber on Rational Recovery. There is a book on this you might be able to find at your library, or used books. I heard an interview with someone talking about 12 step programs. She said the higher power could be anything, even a truck. I beg your pardon, but I could never believe that a truck (or anything other than myself) is responsible for my behavior. That's a real cop-out. "The devil made me do it". Also--if your family member is not firmly committed to changing him/her self, no program will work.

Answer 5

I do not know. Sorry.

But my questions is: Why would you want a program other than a 12 step one (which allows the participant to have ANY god of their choice, repeat ANY, or even no recognizable one if that fits better!) when 12 steps are generally considered the most effective non-chemical therapy???

Twelve step programs state categorically: This program is not religious, but it is spiritual.