Why Good Addiction Centers Connect clients to AA or NA

Why Use the 12 Step Approach?

It’s indisputable. Addiction recovery experts agree AA and NA meetings are the “go-to” place after rehab. If you were lucky, you were heavily exposed to one or both of these fellowships in treatment. The best addiction centers connect clients to support groups with a formal goal in the first 30 days to attend X number of meetings and get at least a “temporary sponsor” in AA or NA. They will strongly recommend “90 meetings in 90 days” and working the 12 steps program in Tampa within the first 6 months of recovery with your new sponsor. This is what good treatment centers do.

Addiction Centers Connect Clients

Bill Wilson co-founder AA

There are also people who confuse the issue. Some people compare 12-step meetings to a religion or a cult. They cite reasons for client empowerment, liberty, and personal freedom as reasons not to facilitate AA or NA involvement. Those against 12-step programs ignore the medical fact that personal freedom is most in peril by being a slave to addiction. They ignore the wisdom of the experienced professionals and peer support specialists that precede them in the field. They ignore the growing body of scientific literature on the benefits of “12 step facilitation (TSF).” They ignore the personal stories of the massive numbers of people that are in long-term recovery after treatment who continue to attend AA and NA meetings for decades.

12-step facilitation is a phrase coined by researcher Lee Ann Kaskutas DrPH of Berkley. She managed to show a very strong “dose-response relationship” with 12 step participation and long-term recovery from addiction.

Look at the research findings yourself or take our word for it. It is compelling. Getting connected to 12 step recovery is as important as any other “best practice” in the recovery field. Which, by the way, TSF is a best practice.

12 Step Program in Tampa

In Tampa, Florida, there is an alcohol and addiction recovery center that utilizes 12-step facilitation as a core treatment modality. BoardPrep Recovery Center® knows that heavy involvement in 12 step fellowships is just as important as proper detoxification, medication, strong group therapy, a trusting bond with a good therapist and excellent family programming.

If someone comes to us and says “I’ll do treatment, but listen I just don’t want to have anything to do with that AA stuff,” we will, of course, meet them where they are at, but be assured we will be working hard to try to get them engaged in 12 step fellowships. Not doing so would be like treating a diabetic who says “I don’t want to take insulin” and the doctor says “okay that’s fine we will just try to change your thinking about your diabetes instead!” You wouldn’t do that! You would educate and encourage the patient about the benefits of insulin, and you would keep doing that no matter what the patient said.

by John Harden LCSW, CAP, MPH, Clinical Director at BoardPrep Recovery Center®, Tampa, FL

History of BoardPrep Recovery and 12 Steps

BoardPrep Recovery is an innovative behavioral health center located in South Tampa. We specialize in the treatment of complex co-occurring substance use and psychiatric disorders (dual-diagnosis). Based on the highly successful physician health recovery model, BoardPrep improves long-term results through enhanced structure, coaching, and ongoing recovery monitoring. Integrating dual diagnosis treatment in Tampa with 12-step programs reduces the risks of relapse in our clients.

After 30 years of clinical experience, founders John Harden and Liz Harden developed the BoardPrep treatment method. This brings the best treatment practices and the most advanced scientific insights about addiction to Tampa. Our addiction centers connect clients to any resource needed for recovery including AA and NA support groups.

BoardPrep’s science-based approach improves patient follow-through and treatment outcomes. Treatment plans are precisely customized to address the complex interplay of physical, mental, motivational, environmental and spiritual challenges, creating an optimal recovery experience.

Treatment in Tampa, FL

If you or a loved one suffers from addiction and mental health disorders, contact BoardPrep Recovery for specialized programs. Some of our programs include: