The Role of Informal 12 Step Programs in Opioid Addiction Recovery

December 10, 2019

Harmony Place Team

Do 12 Step Programs Really Work?

There are many types of 12 Step Programs. Each patient may need different kinds and levels of support to maintain sobriety after formal treatment. However, some research into people who have achieved long-term abstinence from opioids found that NA can give patients access to services associated with sobriety success, such as:

Reliable, long-term social support
Reminders of negative consequences of addiction
A chance to reflect on positive things in your life

Engagement in these meetings is vital to predicting success. Studies show that the more someone becomes engaged in NA and the more they incorporate its principles into their daily lives, the more likely they are to achieve long-term sobriety. People who participate in NA are overall more likely to maintain abstinence than those who don’t.

12 Step Programs in Combination with Medication Assisted Treatment

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is quickly becoming the standard of care for opioid addiction. This type of treatment uses specific and safe doses of synthetic opioids to prevent symptoms of withdrawal without providing any sort of high to the patient. It works best in combination with counseling and continued psychotherapy.

But MAT and NA don’t have to remain mutually exclusive. Though MAT is formal treatment, it’s effectiveness may be supported by more informal 12 Step programs. A forthcoming study conducted at Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation studied the effectiveness of a new program called Comprehensive Opioid Response with the Twelve Steps, or COR-12®. The program combines MAT and a 12 Step program within the formal setting of the treatment center.

Early results are promising. Of the 259 patients in the study, almost all completed residential treatment. This is a vital statistic, as not completing treatment is associated with an increased risk for overdose and death.

Continuous abstinence rates were also high. Ninety percent patients who were undergoing MAT treatment were still sober at one month, and 82 percent were still sober at six months. The combination of the two programs may offer the comprehensive support that patients need. However, it’s not clear if participating in informal 12 Step Programs, like NA, will offer the same benefits.

Understanding Informal 12 Step Programs

While some facilities offer 12 Step Programs, it’s important to remember that community-based groups like Narcotics Anonymous are not typically run by licensed addiction treatment professionals. People at NA meetings do, however, offer aid and vital support, but don’t necessarily have formal training in counseling, social work, or psychology. The distinction is important to keep in mind and if you have any concerns, should always be followed up with a licensed physician or psychologist.

Most NA programs follow an abstinence-based model which does not include medication-assisted treatment. However, it is important to follow the guidance of your medical professional, despite what other peers may suggest. MAT and NA do not need to remain mutually exclusive, particularly for patients who hope to one day stop MAT once they have achieved a stable recovery.

MAT and NA aren’t Mutually Exclusive

Though NA is not a replacement for formal addiction treatment, it can help patients find others who have achieved sobriety. It can be helpful to learn from their successes. NA groups are often diverse and include people of all ages, genders, and cultural backgrounds. This means patients are more likely to find someone who they can relate to and seek out for inspiration. It also gives them an opportunity to break away from previous social groups who may have played a role in drug use and addiction.

The majority of NA members have achieved long-term sobriety. Ninety-one percent of NA members have at least one year of continuous abstinence and the average length of abstinence among NA members is more than 8 years. As NA continues to grow, these numbers are likely to go up. NA members who participate in sponsorship or service activities are also more likely to achieve long-term abstinence.

NA meetings occur all over the country, which may make it easier for patients to find the post-treatment support they need at no cost. Even if patients choose not to participate in NA, they should be encouraged to participate in some form of formal or informal group sessions to access the social support necessary for long-term sobriety. Combining these group sessions with MAT may offer added benefits and give the patient the tools they need to remain sober for years to come.

At Harmony Place, we provide comprehensive care and support for opioid addiction and substance abuse disorder. We encourage our patients to continue to participate in both formal and informal group events, as well as MAT, to help support their sobriety and allow them to lead the life they choose.

At Harmony Place in Woodland Hills, California, we provide a relaxing, comfortable environment for addiction treatment and recovery with many addiction treatment program options, including our Medication Assisted Treatment program. Contact us today at (855) 652-9048 to learn more about our services and how you or your loved one can prepare for a successful rehabilitation from drug and alcohol addiction at our California treatment center.

Chris P

I've been to 12 rehabs over the last 20 years and NO other place has touch like Harmony Place! From the owner right down to the cleaning lady, everyone here is kinda and warm. God has blessed this place and I feel privileged to have come through here. I recommend anyone who is going through their struggle with mental health or substance abuse to pick up the phone and come! You won't regret it!

Joseph S

This place is incredible, kind, loving, patient, rigorous, educative, caring and the best place for recovery. Ill be part of the alumni crew

Monica G

I had very good experience at Harmony Place From first day I came, staff was very kind and make me feel welcome and safe. Everyone was friendly and always try to help me. The therapists are very good and caring. They listen to me and help me understand my problems better. I learn many things from them and feel stronger because of their support. The nurses also very nice and professional. They always check on me and make sure I am okay. Food was good and facilities were clean and comfortable. It help me feel more relaxed and focus on my recovery. Management also doing very good job. Everything was organized and you can see they really care about patients. I am very thankful for this place and all the people who work here. I recommend this center to anyone who needs help.

Denton

Awesome place great people u want to check this place out most definitely 😜

Tyler

A treatment center where the owners truly care about your recovery and after care.. cannot recommend enough

Jodana S

If you want to detox painlessly this is the place! The staff is A1. They truly care about us. The groups are awesome . Residential is crazy awesome! You live in a mansion. With a private chef who makes the best food. Community meeting that gets results fast, they care about your opinions. Pool and Jacuzzi are beautiful. If your struggling with addiction this is the house you should come to. I LOVE HARMONY PLACE!!!!! Thank you to all the staff they go above and beyond to make this experience comfortable therapeutic. Don't spend another day in your addiction come to Harmony Place right now!

Cass

I’ve been to 4 treatment centers before Harmony Place, and I can tell you without a single doubt that this is the absolute best by FAR. The past ones were luxury Residential Treatment centers that just treated every single client the same not tailoring to each individual, and were basically just in it for the money, dropping the ball each time. I can also tell you that I’ve never met the CEOs, but here, David comes to the facility almost every single day, and makes sure he get to know every individual here. He is incredibly kind, and was even willing to transfer me to another facility with a higher level of trauma therapy due to me having a lifetime of trauma and PTSD that just is going to take a long time to tackle. He truly cares about all of the clients having all of the tools that we need before getting released to the real world. No more of other CEO would ever be willing to miss an opportunity at making more money and even paired with my IMPECCABLE case manager to find a different facility that was more trauma based. My case manager, Sam, goes absolutely above and beyond in every single aspect. She makes sure you have a smooth transition into aftercare, provides out of this world advice when it comes to sobriety, and takes the time out of her day to make sure that FMLA and short-term disability are completely taken care of during your stay. I’ve never met a case manager that could ever compare to Sam. Ever. I feel lucky to have met her, genuinely. Marissa, my therapist, is SO SWEET, actually listens to you, and provides advice and therapy tailored to each individual’s experience. She’s handled every mood I’ve been in, never judged me, and allowed me to feel safe enough to tell her things I’ve never told any person or therapist in my 29 years of life. I’ve been going to therapy for the past 15 years, and none of those therapists even come close to how amazing she is. I’ve been to 4 other treatment centers in my life and none even come close to Harmony Place. The facility is clean, organized, and high-end. I would recommend Harmony place to my family, friends, and anyone seeking treatment. I feel SO BLESSED to have landed in their hands. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE IN THE CLINICAL STAFF BEYOND WORDS. I love you guys ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️. I feel more confident than ever in my Recovery.

Gabe H

Where to begin.. Harmony is a place that will forever be a part of my story as the first step in my recovery journey. I’m so grateful for this program. The staff is very friendly, and many of them understand what addiction is like, for they themselves have recovery stories of their own. They have an awesome team of therapists, group facilitators, nurses, RA technicians, medical and health professionals, a wonderful case manager for aftercare that cares deeply for your next steps; making sure you are set up for success. They have a wonderful admissions team (shoutout to Marielle who was so kind and understanding of my messed up situation). Everyone is very relatable and friendly. They invest heavily in the importance of diet and nutrition too - there’s a full time professional chef. I gained all the weight I lost and wanted back in the first two weeks lol. On top of the intensive programming they do throughout the day, they take us out to experience various kinds of outside groups to get a taste of the real world, and also take us on social outings during the weekend. If you’re serious about getting better this place will meet you where you’re at and prepare you to launch with a renewed mind and heart.

Monica P

I can't begin to explain just how amazing Harmony Place is. In fact, when we sit down with the owner, Jeff, and clinical director, David, on Monday mornings to have a house meeting, they ask us what they could be doing better. A bigger blender for smoothies is the ONLY thing we could come up with. Let me begin by addressing some negative reviews. If you notice many of them are from people, or are referring to people who have been asked to leave. It is because of harmony places protection of their clients that provide ideal conditions for healing and progress. There is a screening process that it is implemented where they make sure the clients they admit are ready to start a life of sobriety. Some people slip through the cracks. Some people find out a few days or weeks in that they've changed their minds. Some are inappropriate and break rules. It happens. When Harmony Place ask people to leave, It's because they are protecting the people who are here that want treatment. In effect, they're providing exactly what I needed for a genuine start to recovery. When I began my search for a treatment center, my requirements were that the facility's provide an environment in which its residents all want to be there and that it is ethically ran. I got that and so much more at Harmony Place. As well as a structured routine, they also provide a confidential and nurturing environment where one feels safe and where profound healing can begin. Their program offers a sound foundation where further progress in sober living is almost guaranteed. In group meetings, we enjoy getting to know ourselves again and with deeper understanding about why we are the way we are. We are provided with skills to handle real life. Its here that I've come to understand that its not addiction that has driven me to make a mess of my life. It is the trauma that I endured and not processing it correctly that lead to poor thinking patterns that opened the door to addiction resulting in poor life management. So we start at the bottom. Trauma. They help us understand that trauma has led to our own toxicity, what that trauma looks like and how to get out of our own way. Process groups help us learn how to take accountability and foster healthier relationships. I learned here that changing the way I think is absolutely possible and imperative to the healing process. Harmony Place offered me hope when I previously felt I was unfixable and a support team that truly loves me. Even after I leave here, I have contacts that almost demand I keep in touch and an alumni meeting where I can return to the facility on Thursday nights. I wasn't a 12 stepper when I came here but my first experience with it was not one where I was ready to stop using. I understand now that the steps will work for me. It's certainly is not the only modality that they teach. In one group, we are provided an opportunity to sit with a recently retired medical doctor to just ask questions. Another is with a nutritionist. There are a handful of people IN recovery that come to lead groups that are all accredited highly specialized where I felt understood and not judged. The knowledge I have gained here is life changing. It is also versatile and relatable for all types of people. my favorite group was dialectical behavioral therapy. There are breathing classes and sound bath groups and I started doing yoga in the morning. There's a dharma meeting they take you offsite that focuses on Buddhist values. A fantastic onsight chef provides three meals and you can have special requests. We facilitated our own Movie nights during free time. I cant forget to mention you get your own one on one meetings with your assigned primary therapist and there is comprehensive medical support complete with 24/7 nurses and a doctor that shows up throughout the week. If this is what you need to recover and you have mediCAL, cancel your mediCAL and get insurance Harmony Place accepts if you can. There are people to help you with that as well. Just call. Many, many thanks to the staff. ✔️Another life changed.🙏

Cody B

This is such an amazing place truly changed my life. I would recommend this place to anybody if they’re looking for a strong recovery house that truly cares about your recovery and not about just money So if you’re ready to change your life, don’t miss out on the greatness of harmony because this place is where it’s at

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