How Working in Addiction Treatment Changed My View on Recovery

I recently started working at a treatment center for substance use. I have been in recovery since July 2020. I believed in the 12-step model of recovery. It was the only path I knew. But my job changed how I see recovery and the recovery community.

The Illusion of One Way

In addiction treatment, many people think there is only one way to recover. That way is often the 12-step program. I went along with this idea at first. It worked for me. But as I worked with clients, I saw how harmful this belief can be.

Some clients came in and did not connect with the 12 steps. Their past experiences, feelings, or needs were different. Instead of helping them, the system pushed them to conform. Phrases like “Just keep coming back” were not helpful. They felt more like ultimatums than support.

When Support Turns Hostile

One young woman stands out in my memory. She came in wanting to try a different approach. She had already tried AA and felt left out. But when she shared her thoughts, staff labeled her as “non-compliant.” She ended up leaving early, not because she relapsed, but because she wanted a different path.

The treatment staff formed cliques. If you did not follow the 12-step model, you were judged. This was not the supportive community it claimed to be.

Rethinking Recovery

I learned that recovery is not the same for everyone. The 12 steps were created in 1939. They reflect the ideas of a specific group of people. They do not fit everyone. This idea should not be controversial. When we insist on one way, we risk pushing people away. This can lead them back to addiction.

What I Believe Now

I respect the 12-step program for those it has helped. But I no longer think it is the only way to recover. People heal in many ways. Some find help through therapy, medication, or community support. Others rebuild family ties or find new purpose.

We need to offer more than fear-based ideas. We need to provide options and compassion. If we want to save lives, we must listen to each person’s unique journey.

The Role of Harm Reduction

Harm reduction is vital in recovery. It is not just a strategy; it is a philosophy. The old model of “abstinence only” is outdated. Harm reduction means meeting people where they are. It recognizes that any positive change is valuable.

This could mean offering medication-assisted treatment or clean supplies. It also means treating people with respect. Treatment centers that ignore harm reduction are not helping those they claim to serve. If we want to support long-term healing, we must embrace harm reduction.

A Hard Truth

I love what I do and believe in the importance of recovery. Yet, I still work at a facility that follows a narrow view of treatment. It can be embarrassing to admit. It shows how complex the issue is. Sometimes, the hardest part is realizing you are part of the problem.

Facing this truth may be the wake-up call I need. Understanding what real help and recovery look like is essential. We must move towards a future where all paths to recovery are valued.