The Future of Recovery Treatment: Beyond 12 Steps

In my experience as a recovering addict, as well as a leader in the substance abuse recovery and the wellness industry,? I've seen firsthand how deeply intertwined mental and emotional struggles are with addiction. There have been times in my own life when, despite the unwavering support of my family, friends, and sponsor, I grappled with persistent mental and emotional challenges. In addition, throughout my years in the recovery industry, I've observed that nearly every client enrolling at one of our recovery centers also struggled with co-occurring issues such as anxiety, depression, thought disorders, and personality disorders—issues that traditional substance abuse treatments often fail to address.? For me, the journey to true healing began when I embraced holistic wellness practices in my life. I've also witnessed the remarkable, long-term healing our clients experience through integrating these wellness practices into their recovery journeys.

As industry leaders, we must move beyond the conventional 12-step approach and incorporate holistic wellness into our treatment methodologies. This comprehensive approach not only addresses addiction but also fosters overall mental and emotional health, paving the way for more sustainable recovery outcomes.

Recovery Beyond the 12 Steps

The core principle of the 12-step program revolves around attaining sobriety through a structured path of spiritual and personal development. Anchored in mutual support and accountability, each step guides individuals to recognize their addiction, surrender to a higher power or supportive community, conduct self-reflection, make amends, and support others facing similar challenges. While this approach has proven effective on numerous occasions, sustained sobriety often hinges on addressing the underlying mental and emotional factors driving addiction and equipping individuals with tools to foster growth and healing in these aspects of their lives.

Holistic healing plays a crucial role in recovery because addiction often stems from deeper, underlying issues beyond just substance use. Many individuals with substance abuse problems are trying to satisfy internal needs through their addiction. Through therapy, education, and support, individuals can uncover these root causes. Once these root causes are acknowledged, integrating wellness practices into recovery programs provides them with tools to improve their overall well-being. When clients feel physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually balanced, they are better positioned to choose healthier ways to meet their internal needs rather than relying on addictive substances. This holistic approach supports long-term recovery and enhances overall well-being by empowering individuals to make informed and positive decisions in their lives.

A person is a whole being - mind, body, and spirit. Adding holistic therapies and wellness practices to a recovery treatment plan honors the entirety of the person. It moves beyond simply seeking sobriety but rather seeking the wellness of the entire person. We must see individuals as whole beings, not just symptoms or labels. By taking a comprehensive view of each person's physical, emotional, and spiritual health, we empower them to take ownership of their recovery journey. This approach restores dignity and instills hope and resilience, which are essential for sustainable, long-term recovery.

What this looks like at Foundation Stone

When I experienced firsthand the transformative power of integrating wellness and holistic medicine into my own recovery journey, it became clear that this approach was essential for our work in the recovery industry. At Foundation Stone Family of Programs, when we embarked on creating Amend Wellness, our vision was singular: to blend cutting-edge Western medical practices with holistic Eastern wellness traditions. Our goal was not only to provide essential elements like physical health assessments, recovery support groups, and therapeutic interventions but also to incorporate diverse practices such as yoga, meditation, journaling, nutritional assessment, spiritual reflection, group activities, cold plunge therapy, and immersive nature experiences into our clients' treatment plans.?

Incorporating wellness practices into individuals' recovery journeys has consistently demonstrated impressive success in our practice. We meticulously track and analyze the outcomes reported by our clients. Upon reviewing the results from our clients at Amend Wellness, we observed firsthand how our comprehensive treatment plans significantly contribute to their long-term success, surpassing the national average for individuals undergoing recovery treatment.?

The findings were notable, especially concerning resilience. Using the Global Recovery Score, which considers factors such as commitment to sobriety, spiritual development, quality of life in recovery, and optimism, the national average score is a modest 15%. In contrast, clients at Amend Wellness achieved an average resilience score of 43%.?

The story doesn’t stop there. When we launched our Two-Week Retreat + Restore program at Amend Wellness, offering clients an intensive 14-day experience with holistic therapies such as yoga, sauna sessions, sound baths, cold plunges, chef-prepared meals, and therapeutic interventions, even our lead clinician was initially skeptical about the potential for significant results in such a short timeframe. However, once again, the outcomes exceeded our expectations. Post-treatment assessments revealed that clients had made remarkable strides in their recovery and healing journeys. These results underscore the profound impact of our holistic wellness approach in fostering resilience and enhancing recovery outcomes.

Moving Forward

As leaders in the recovery industry, we would be wise to commit to pioneering holistic approaches that transcend traditional methods. Moving beyond the conventional 12-step program, we can integrate holistic wellness into our treatment methodologies to address not just addiction but the comprehensive well-being of each individual—mind, body, and spirit. Our journey at Amend Wellness exemplifies this commitment and shows what is possible, blending Western medical practices with Eastern holistic traditions to create transformative treatment experiences. A holistic approach to recovery will reshape recovery journeys with lasting impact. By honoring the entirety of each person and empowering them to reclaim their health and vitality, we're not just seeking sobriety but wellness in its fullest sense—laying the foundation for sustainable, lifelong recovery and well-being.