In non 12 step programs, treatments focus of the underlying issues of addiction; empowering clients to make changes to the lives and encourage them to find motivation stronger than their addiction. Clients are (typically) given a schedule that consists of group sessions with their peers, as well as individual sessions with a therapist. In non 12 step programs, clients have their individualized treatment plans that will help them succeed in sobriety. This type of treatment focuses on courage and taking action. For someone who is in a 12 step program, clients are to view addiction as the “primary” problem in their life and that addiction is an incurable disease. Everyone in 12 step treatment typically have the same treatment plans. Clients are encouraged to use the Higher Power and must learn and accept powerlessness over addiction. For those who cannot go to a 12 step program, there are many groups available in the community.

For clients in non 12 step treatment programs, they are expected to attend group and individual sessions to solve the underlying issues of their addiction. Group sessions consist of relapse prevention, mindfulness, anger management, music therapy, art therapy, nutrition, codependency, psychoeducation, yoga/meditation, relationship skills, family therapy, and more.

In non 12 step programs, clients are not only offered individual and group sessions, they are also introduced to equine therapy, hypnotherapy, neurofeedback, acupuncture, and many more activities to better clients from their addiction. Equine therapy is the discipline of using horses as a means to provide metaphoric experiences in order to promote emotional growth. The horses provide an excellent way for troubled youth to react when they are otherwise therapy resistant. Equine therapists will usually teach many lessons on ways in which horses learn, react, and follow instructions to the lives of youth themselves. Hypnotherapy includes exercises that bring about deep relaxation and an altered state of consciousness, also known as a trance. A person in a deeply focused state is unusually responsive to an idea or image, but this does not mean that a hypnotist can control the person’s mind and free will. Neurofeedback improves how you feel and function by improving how your brain operates. The intent of acupuncture therapy is to promote health and alleviate pain and suffering.