Many addiction support groups like AA and NA have a spiritual bent, but not everyone wants to focus on religious faith or spirituality as they recover. There are a growing number of groups focusing on Colorado addiction recovery for atheists and agnostics that can work for those who may not have any kind of faith as their focus.
Recovering Through Science
Many of the non-spiritual recovery groups use evidence-based science rather than spirituality to aid in participants’ recovery. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) teaches ways to understand and manage feelings, thoughts, and behaviors that have lead to substance abuse and is one evidence-based method of providing support for those in recovery that does not require a belief in God or any spiritual higher power.
Programs like SMART Recovery use CBT extensively to help recovering addicts understand their addictions and learn how to deal with them outside the realm of faith and spirituality. These programs seek to empower individuals and give them the tools they need to continue in their recovery, as well as support each others’ recovery efforts.
AA Without God
Some AA groups have decided to proceed in a way that makes agnostics and atheists feel more comfortable participating in this process. These secular AA groups adapt the 12 steps so that everyone is comfortable, leaving out prayer and references to God but retaining other material that has been helpful to millions of addicts as they go through the recovery process.
While some who are dedicated to the 12 steps do not see how they can be followed without some kind of faith, AA has conceded to those who do not have faith that their “higher power” spelled out in step two could be something other than God, such as the concept of love or goodness, or the support group itself, which has sometimes been nicknamed “Group of Drunks” (G.O.D.).
Most secular addiction support programs focus on empowering individuals and supporting them in recovery.
Empowering Individuals
How most secular recovery programs differ from 12-step programs is that they focus on empowering individuals to remain in recovery, whereas 12-step programs focus on recognizing the individual’s inability to maintain their own recovery without help from a spiritual higher power.
Rational Recovery
Focuses on a method they call the Addictive Voice Recognition Technique–recognizing the voice within themselves that leads them toward addictive behavior and combating it.
Women for Sobriety is based around increasing self-worth, letting go of the past, and encouraging other women in their recovery.
Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS) is a non-profit organization of many independent groups that provide education and support for those in recovery.
It is possible to find support for your recovery without being confronted by faith-based content that you may find uncomfortable or distracting to your recovery. With all the secular recovery groups available, there is bound to be one that fits your needs and that can help you in your recovery.
The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake provides Colorado addiction treatment, including methods of recovery outside the spiritual focus espoused by the 12 steps for those who need or prefer an atheistic or agnostic approach. Contact us today to find a path to recovery that works for you.