Many people are under the misconception that once treatment is over, the recovery process stops. This is a fallacy. The fact of the matter is that the recovery process keeps going long after treatment concludes. That is because recovery is about much more than simply putting down the drink or the drug, it is about healthy positive growth. One exceptional way to keep this growth happening is to be part of a 12-Step program after treatment.
What Does a 12-Step Program Look Like?
There are many different types of 12-Step programs. Perhaps the most well-known 12-Step program is Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.), which was started roughly 89 years ago. Now, there are 12-Step programs for most substance and behavioral addictions (such as Cocaine Anonymous and Overeaters Anonymous).
A 12-Step program is relatively straightforward, though many people tend to overcomplicate them unnecessarily. It is a program that utilizes twelve steps (the Twelve Steps) in sequential order to recover from addiction. These steps start with a willingness to get help and end with a mission to help others. The steps in between have to do with accepting that there is something greater in the world (also known as a “Higher Power”), admitting one’s faults (also known as “cleaning house”), and making amends with those who have been negatively affected by one’s behaviors.
A 12-Step program can also look as active or as passive as one wishes. Really, there are no set rules. There are some people who choose to go to 12-Step meetings every day and get really involved with their recovery community, and then there are those who choose to attend meetings here and there. However, the reality is that the more someone is involved in their recovery community, the less likely they are to relapse.
What Are the Benefits of a 12-Step Program?
As previously mentioned, extra protection against a relapse is perhaps the most beneficial part of a 12-Step program, but it certainly is not the only one. The following are just a few of the benefits of being a part of a 12-Step program:
- Helps build strong bonds in the community
- Can help with essential communication skills
- Offers an opportunity to help others
- Keeps one accountable
- Enables people to share without fear of judgment
- Keeps recovery engaging and exciting by meeting new people
What Are the Benefits of Working a 12-Step Program After Treatment?
Some people fall into a false sense of security once they leave treatment. Unfortunately, just because one finishes treatment, does not mean that they are somehow “cured.” Addiction is a disease that takes constant work and vigilance.
Relapse is highly prevalent after individuals leave treatment. According to the peer-reviewed journal, Current Psychiatry Reports, “It has long been known that addictive disorders are chronic and relapsing in nature. Recent estimates from clinical treatment studies suggest that more than two-thirds of individuals relapse within weeks to months of initiating treatment.” Also, “For 1-year outcomes across alcohol, nicotine, weight, and illicit drug abuse, studies show that more than 85% of individuals relapse and return to drug use within 1 year of treatment.”
The benefits of working a 12-Step program after treatment also include an opportunity to stay close to one’s recovery plan. Many people who leave recovery can quickly stray away from the actions they need to take to stay sober. This includes things like continued therapy, eating and sleeping right, and spiritual awareness. A 12-Step program can act as a daily reminder to engage with one’s recovery goals.
After Treatment: A Focus on Long-Term Recovery
Long-term recovery is all about creating goals while also staying in the moment. Yes, this is quite the paradox, but it is one that working the Twelve Steps can help one manage.
The Twelve Steps can be used as a guide to living a life that is free, not just of drugs and alcohol, but also of resentments, unnecessary frustrations, and unwanted behaviors. A 12-Step program after treatment can also ensure an individual that they will have a place to go or people to talk to when times get tough. Long-term recovery is a journey, and it is important to take the right people along for the ride.
Long-Term Success With Lantana Recovery
Here at Lantana Recovery, we believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes.” This is why we recommend using a 12-Step program after treatment. This is also why we have our clients engage with 12-Step programs while they are still in treatment, so the transition can be seamless.
One of the co-founders of A.A., Bill Wilson, once said, “You can’t think your way into right action, but you can act your way into right thinking.” This is what 12-Step recovery is all about; taking the next right step toward a monumentally free frame of mind.
Staying engaged in a recovery program (specifically 12-Step recovery) after one leaves treatment can be highly beneficial. Ultimately, remaining part of a program keeps one accountable to their recovery goals and helps them build a sober network that can assist in staving off a relapse. Being part of a 12-Step program also brings an essential sense of community into one’s recovery. If you feel like you or a loved one are struggling with issues of mental illness, addiction, or both, we can help get you on the positive path toward long-term recovery, right away. For more information about treatment and 12-Step programs, please reach out to Lantana Recovery today at (866) 997-2870.
