Why is Centered Recovery a non-12 step drug rehab? 

There are many different types of treatment for alcohol and substance abuse, and many programs can be beneficial for those who are struggling. However, there are few programs in the country which are truly not 12 step based.

Rehab centers based on the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA/NA) are the dominant variety and most people who have recovered through treatment incorporated some or all of the 12 steps into their process. Centered Recovery feels that people in Atlanta and surrounding suburbs ought to have more options than facilities based on the 12 steps, religious programs or medical models. Evidence shows that our Mindfulness-based program is a successful alternative to Alcoholics Anonymous based programs, either as a standalone program or used in conjunction with meetings if desired.

One of our core philosophies is that we don’t focus on the concept of addiction is an incurable disease.  What truly matters is that people can and do have the ability to fully recover – and that should be the focus. We have found that people can still recover whether they believe in the disease model or not.

We help our clients understand their own psychological and mental health and how those systems work so that they can move forward from addiction issues without continuing to work against their own internal systems. Many programs focus on what is wrong in an effort to fix what is considered “broken.” Centered Recovery encourages our clients to acknowledge the wholeness within them. Obviously, some attention must be given to the habits and behaviors that have formed over time which are not healthy, and this is done through exploring the neuropsychology of addiction and behavior in our Skills Building Groups. 

Mindfulness is all about being fully present and being non-judgmental, and when those are occurring more often than not, people cease to live reactionary, thought-driven lives that create trouble and instead move toward a much happier future overall that is derived from inner stability.

Traditional 12 Steps Compared to Centered Recovery Programs Non-12 Step
AA/NA Based Programs Centered Recovery Programs
More set in ways with traditions teaches outside in Innovative personalized model teaches inside out
Labels the individuals rather than the behavior, i.e. addict, alcoholic, diseased, etc. Non-judgmental and doesn’t label people, but instead identifies their actions
Promotes that addiction is a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is incurable Teaches that people can reconnect with their innate health and free themselves
Believes you have to admit that you are powerless Teaches that people do have the power to overcome it
Requires continued meetings to remain “in recovery” Encourages support groups, but allows for people to put their old behaviors permanently in the past
Relies heavily on talk therapy and step work Provides psychoeducational classes and mindfulness practices
Asserts that everyone must follow the same 12 steps Encourages personal path development for individualized results
Treatment has religious overtones through the inclusion of “higher power” Is completely secularized and incorporates many therapeutic and philosophical influences