If you didn't catch the first part of this piece, you can catch up here. Today I am going to outline the myriad of options available in recovery today.
I have divided the existing programs I am aware of into belief-based programs, and strictly secular ones.
Belief-Centered Recovery Programs
I term these programs "belief-based" because some are based on either a religion, a non-theistic faith or belief system, or were in some way spiritually inspired or focused.
Founded 1991. First up is Celebrate Recovery. As Christian fellowship it identifies itself as a "Christ-Centered 12 Step Program". CR uses an almost identical adaptation of the original 12 Steps, the Eight Principles based on the Beatitudes (which I find well written), and has (typically weekly) meetings as well as group step-studies that meet in scheduled sessions. They also use the long modern version of the Serenity Prayer (my favorite, whether you're Christian or not). It is not limited to alcohol, but rather includes addiction, (what they term "compulsions") - including (but not limited to) eating disorders, anger, and codependency. One of the most generous aspects of the program is that - at least when I attended - a family-style meal is provided for attendees and supported solely by donations (and possibly the hosting church). This provides a much needed fellowship and nutritional assistance to those struggling with addiction and the oft-associated hardships the disease incurs. My experience is that C.R. is generally found most often in nondenominational and/or evangelical Protestant churches. C.R. celebrates continues sobriety with coins (chips/medallions/tokens) and (generally) a monthly ceremony for that month's milestones. They offer a nice selection of literature, merchandise, and now appear to be in some way affiliated with a new Biblically-based mental healthcare initiative. My church at the time I attended had a once week event with music and speakers, wonderful - but not an often-enough occurrence for me as a newcomer (why I recommended supplementing A.A. with these programs). I know many people who consider themselves at home both in C.R. as well as A.A., and I find that a beautiful thing.
Founded 1976. Next up is Women for Sobriety, developed by sociologist Jean Kirkpatrick, Ph.D. This program could also be seen as secular - it is matter of perspective. Kirkpatrick was inspired by the spiritual and philosophical works of Emerson along with a desire for alternatives to traditional 12 Step programs. We have long been aware of the gender bias in the Bog Book (simply due to circumstances under which it was written), and this makes the search for a feminine approach understandable. I find it worth noting that the New Thought movement in general, including writers like Emmet Fox (whose work has long been associated with A.A. - there was even an academic paper about it) were also inspired by Emerson. For those in seeking abstinence, this program is based on their Thirteen Acceptance Statements (which ring decidedly "New Thought", I still carry a card printed with them), written to "encourage emotional and spiritual growth". While there are a multitude of texts, pamphlets, and other literature offered through W.f.S. (many, exclusively so, with a select few available elsewhere), Kirkpatrick's book Turnabout, which chronicled her alcoholism, is a compelling read. This is not a "day-counting" program, as the emphasis on continuous sobriety can make some feel like a failure (likely because relapse is part of the medical model). As of today, there is still one monthly meeting approximately ten miles from my home. Due to this smaller presence and difficulty finding physical meetings for newcomers, W.f.S. established a strong online presence early on. I used the message boards back in the day, but today (along with text-based chatrooms) they now also offer video meetings via Zoom. W.f.S. has also offers a daily pledge (online) as well as an area for members to document and share digital recovery journals. This seems to be a good answer to the limited meeting access I experienced back in the day, and I wish W.f.S. only the best going forward.
Founded 2008. Refuge Recovery is the original program for those looking for a Buddhist path to recovery. There was some controversy due to actions on the founder's part (he also authored the core text of the program) - but this shouldn't reflect on the program itself. I mention it because with that came the birth of another program. It has developed the Four Truths of Refuge Recovery, the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, (four) Heart Practice Meditation, as well as the Eightfold Path to Recovery. While R.R. states that, "We feel confident in the power of the buddha’s teachings, if applied, to relieve suffering of all kinds, including the suffering of addiction," they seem more focused on the issue of addiction/alcoholism. I have known a few people who used this in tandem with A.A., with one who kept the Refuge Recovery: A Buddhist Path To Recovering From Addiction text in the area double-book covers reserve for the 12 x 12, as a companion set - pretty cool.
Founded 2019 (?).Recovery Dharma is what came of the Refuge Recovery conflict. They have a newly published text authored by several former members of R.R. The reviews state it's "eloquently written." They also make the text free online.This group also supports more than just substance addiction recovery, but they make this explicit (much like Celebrate Recovery), stating that "Recovery Dharma welcomes anyone who is looking to heal from addiction and addictive behavior, whether it’s caused by substance use or process addictions like codependency, gambling, eating disorders, relationships, technology, or any obsessive or habitual pattern that creates suffering." While I was unable to find a founding date, news coverage and the text were available since 2019. I wish them the best in their newly-minted endeavor.
Secular Recovery Programs
For those looking for secular recovery, please note that one of the programs above - Women for Sobriety - could arguably fit in this category as well as the above. Due to its loose basis in New Thought, I listed W.f.S. as belief-based, bearing in mind that it is also based on "self-empowerment," the very thing that some programs below describe themselves as.
Founded 1994. Smart Recovery touts itself as "science-based, self-empowered addiction recovery." One thing they makes them stand apart is their decisive stance on participating in more than one program or fellowship (something I am a fan of, for some), with S.R. stating "While the SMART approach differs in some ways from AA and NA, it does not exclude them. Some SMART participants also choose to attend AA or NA meetings." Smart recovery espouses a Four-Point Program: (1) Building and maintaining the motivation to change. (2) Coping with urges to use. (3) Managing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in an effective way without addictive behaviors. (4) Living a balanced, positive, and healthy life. This is achieved through meetings, literature, and tools - including an app (I had it years ago). My impression of the app was that it was essentially a logic-based approach: the pros and cons of drinking (or using). For me, self-knowledge availed me nothing, and the "cons" in fact usually fueled my shame and sent me into another round of drinking, p. 73. Having said that, it appears the app has expanded and changed significantly since that time. There is little doubt that it must help others, because they recently celebrated 25 years. Probably the most referenced and reliable of the secular programs, at least in my local area.
Founded 1994. Almost as old as Smart Recovery, I have heard much less about LifeRing. Perhaps it is bigger in other areas. I did find one meeting, albeit 105 miles from me and (I live betwixt two major metropolitan areas within 15 miles both ways). They offer a large number of daily online meetings as well as "ePals" - a virtual "temporary sponsorship" of sorts (my term). LifeRing also offers an online forum, email groups, as well as information on how to become what they call a "Convener" (to establish a local meeting). LifeRing also offers a modest amount of literature and merchandise for their members including a handbook and other "empowering" titles. They are also tolerant of a multifaceted approach, and state that "LifeRing Secular Recovery is an organization of people who share practical experiences and sobriety support. There are as many ways to live free of drugs and alcohol as there are stories of successful sober people. Many LifeRing members attend other kinds of meetings or recovery programs, and we honor those decisions." They further state that "Some have had negative experiences in attempting to find help elsewhere" - evidence confirming what many of us have sometimes seen: that not all A.A. members practice the Traditions (even if most of them do). My view is simply this: I commend anyone who wants to help another, wherever that happens.
Founded 1985. Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS) (once known as "Save ourselves") are self-described as"a nonprofit network of autonomous, non-professional local groups, dedicated solely to helping individuals achieve and maintain sobriety/abstinence from alcohol and drug addiction, food addiction and more." Once again, in line with C.R., D.R., they explicitly offer help for a multitude of issues, making it a very open and approachable organization. The tenets of the program are based on six suggested guidelines that could be summarized as "admit, affirm, action, acceptance, selective sharing, and prioritizing sobriety". While they are in the process of creating a meeting directory for physical meetings (no listings can be found) - they do offer a list of online groups which, as described, are independent autonomous groups that focus on various issues like eating disorders, addiction, and even one that can only be described as "Al-Anon"-like. Only six are listed. They also tout a documentary film made about the founder's development of the organization entitled, No God at the Bottom of a Glass. There are also six free pamphlets available for download. Despite its longevity thus far, this seems to be the smallest of the seven alternative programs I have covered.
While the above seems like a lot of options compared to where we began, some experts suspect more are to come.
What program do I recommend? The one that works for you.
For me, that's A.A.
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