Drug Addicts Anonymous

What is Drug Addicts Anonymous?

Drug Addicts Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who have recovered from substance use disorders and are committed to helping those who still suffer. This program has helped people recover by using the Twelve Steps as outlined in the book of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Drug Addicts Anonymous is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization, or institution, does not engage in any controversy, and neither endorses nor opposes any causes. The primary purpose is to recover from drug addiction and help other addicts to achieve the same freedom. Drug Addicts Anonymous is not dedicated to users of any one specific drug, and the use of no single drug was predominant among the members. Drug Addicts Anonymous is fully supported by voluntary contributions from its members and declines outside donations. [1]

What is Substance Use Disorder?

The 12 Step of Drug Addicts Anonymous

Here are the 12 Step Program for drug addiction that DAA adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous, which are suggested as a program of recovery:

1. We admitted we were powerless over narcotics and all other mind altering substances – that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all theses defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to drug addicts and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

Reproduced and adapted with permission from AA World Services, Inc. Permission to adapt A.A.’s Steps and Traditions does not imply any endorsement or affiliation with DAA.

What Happens at Drug Addicts Anonymous or Substance Abuse Anonymous Meetings?

Regardless of the substance at hand:  the purpose of support groups such as Drug Addicts Anonymous, is to empower recovering addicts or alcoholics to be introspective and to take responsibility for their actions.  In doing so, individuals can learn to identify the source of their substance abuse, triggers, and ultimately, find lasting support in moving past it.

The ultimate goal of a support program is to achieve complete abstinence.  This is no small undertaking, so it’s unrealistic to expect a 100% success rate.  Like any other kind of addiction treatment, whether a rehab facility or program “works” or not comes down to whether it’s the right fit for the individual.

Support groups are also crucial for liability.  Even someone who has achieved a rehabilitation program will always be at risk of relapse.  Therefore, having people who can keep each other on course for sobriety and abstinence is essential.

Isolation is an obstacle that only contributes to addictive and harmful substances.  Support groups are vital because they let participants know that they do not have to be detached from others.  They also extend a network of advice, assistance, and skill-building exercises.

What Can I Expect at a Drug Addicts Anonymous or Substance Abuse Anonymous Meeting?

To overcome addiction and effective relapse prevention, make sure never to skip your treatment programs;  12 step groups such as Drug Addicts Anonymous, post-rehab therapy, and other rehab aftercare services after you undergo inpatient or outpatient treatment.  But, on the other hand, never let your guard down;  thinking you are fully recovered can make it easy to go back to old obsessions and patterns  (which eventually lead towards a relapse).

Participants of support groups will not be judged for their choices or actions because the other people in the support group have pledged to non-judgment and may have similar life experiences.  New group members can look to other members who have been able to make successful transitions.  The life of others can support the future goals of others by inspiring them to cope.

The exchange of learning in support groups may also open new doors for coping approaches.  Simply understanding that someone else has been through the same process and may have insights into the many different stages and components of recovery brings a crucial and much-needed dimension to anyone’s successful rehabilitation.

Several evidence-based treatment approaches are available for the early signs of substance abuse. One size does not fit all and a treatment approach that may work for one person may not work for another. Treatment can be outpatient and/or inpatient and be provided by specialty programs, therapists, and doctors.

Medications

Three medications are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to help people stop or reduce their drinking and prevent relapse: naltrexone (oral and long-acting injectable), acamprosate, and disulfiram. All these medications are non-addictive, and they may be used alone or combined with behavioral treatments or mutual-support groups.

Behavioral Treatments

Behavioral treatments, also known as alcohol counseling or “talk therapy,” provided by licensed therapists are aimed at changing drinking behavior. Examples of behavioral treatments are brief interventions and reinforcement approaches, treatments that build motivation and teach skills for coping and preventing relapse, and mindfulness-based therapies.

Mutual-Support Groups

Mutual-support groups such as Drug Addicts Anonymous provide peer support for stopping or reducing the early signs of drug addiction. Group meetings are available in most communities, at low or no cost, at convenient times and locations—including an increasing presence online. This means they can be especially helpful to individuals at risk for relapse to drinking. Combined with medications and behavioral treatment provided by health professionals, mutual-support groups can offer a valuable added layer of support.

Please note: People with severe AUD or SUD may need medical help to avoid alcohol withdrawal if they decide to stop drinking. Alcohol withdrawal is a potentially life-threatening process that can occur when someone who has been drinking heavily for a prolonged period of time suddenly stops drinking. Doctors can prescribe medications to address these symptoms and make the process safer and less distressing.

 If you or a loved one is dealing with an addiction to alcohol or other drugs, especially if you have experienced multiple relapses in the past, then look no further.  With an incredible success rate for long-term recovery, We Level Up treatment centers, including We Level Up TX drug addiction treatment center, offers one of the most comprehensive addiction recovery programs available in The United States, bringing hope to families every day.

We provide dual diagnosis treatment services to all local communities including but not limited to Texas. However, we also serve clients from around the United States who need the best drug and alcohol treatment options that best meet their needs.

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