Non 12 Step Rehab in Santa Barbara
Recovery doesn't have to run through the 12 steps. Every adult client at Stillwater can choose a non 12 step path built around practical skills and mental health care, with full medical care in a private Montecito house.
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Admissions will call you back to verify your benefits and answer questions. No obligation.
Your information stays private and is only used to contact you about treatment.
Same goal, different route
The 12 steps have helped millions of people. Their spiritual language and meeting-based model don't fit everyone, though. If you've tried the steps and they didn't stick, or you just want a different approach, our non 12 step rehab program in Santa Barbara / Montecito is another route to lasting sobriety.
At Stillwater, non 12 step treatment is not a separate track or a lesser option. Our program uses the same clinical team and medical care, in the same residence. It's built around therapy that teaches practical skills and care for your mental and physical health, instead of only around working the steps.
12 step and non 12 step treatment at Stillwater
Both paths share the same accreditation, medical team and residence. The difference is the framework you recover inside.
| Non 12 step path | 12 step path | |
|---|---|---|
| Core idea | Build skills to manage cravings and triggers, and treat the reasons behind the drinking or drug use | Work the 12 steps with the support of a sponsor and a recovery community |
| Main therapies | CBT, DBT, EMDR, individual, group and family therapy | The same therapies, alongside step work |
| Spirituality | Optional. Spiritual counseling and meditation are there if you want them | A higher power is part of the 12 step program |
| Support after treatment | Aftercare plan with ongoing therapy and non 12 step support groups | Aftercare plan with ongoing therapy and 12 step meetings |
| Medical care | Medically supervised detox, 24/7 nursing, medication-assisted treatment when it is clinically appropriate | |
What non 12 step treatment looks like day to day
Every plan is custom designed for the unique needs of each person. These are the pieces your team draws from.
Evidence-based therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to change the thought patterns behind substance use
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for handling cravings and building coping skills
- EMDR for trauma
- Individual, group, and family sessions
Mental health care
- Dual diagnosis treatment for depression, anxiety, trauma and PTSD alongside addiction
- Trauma-informed care throughout
- Medication-assisted treatment when it's clinically right for you, such as Suboxone or Vivitrol (Subutex is also available)
Mind, body and experience
- Yoga and meditation, plus mindfulness and breathwork groups
- Massage and acupuncture, with reiki if you want it
- Equine therapy, art and music therapy
- Surfing and hiking on the Santa Barbara coast
A non 12 step rehab program may fit if:
- You went to 12 step meetings before and they didn't keep you sober
- The spiritual or "powerlessness" language doesn't sit right with you
- You want treatment focused on skills, therapy and the causes of your use
- You live with anxiety, depression or trauma alongside drinking or drug use
- You want privacy and a small, quiet setting rather than a large facility
Not sure? That is what the free assessment is for. Admissions will talk it through with you and recommend a starting point.
A private residence in Montecito
Treatment takes place in a secluded home in a quiet Montecito neighborhood, minutes from Santa Barbara's beaches and trails. Each client has a private bedroom with an en-suite bathroom.
- Chef-prepared meals and nutrition support
- Pool, spa and on-site fitness
- A small group of clients and a 3:1 staff to client ratio
- Residential stays of 30 to 45 days or longer
Talk to admissions today
Free, confidential assessment and insurance check. If detox is needed, it starts here, under medical supervision.
Call (800) 840-7195Verify my insuranceHow admission works
Call or send the form
Tell admissions what is going on. The conversation is confidential, and there is no obligation.
Free assessment and insurance check
We verify your benefits and recommend a level of care, including whether you need medical detox first.
Arrive and settle in
Our 24/7 nursing staff will handle the intake process, and you meet with the medical director after you arrive.
Insurance for non 12 step rehab
Stillwater works with most major insurance carriers that offer out-of-network benefits, which typically means PPO and POS plans. Non 12 step treatment is covered the same way as other residential care here. Your choice of approach doesn't change your benefits.
If you are not sure what kind of plan you have, send the form or call, and admissions will check for you.
Verify my insuranceSupport that continues
Before you go home, your treatment team builds an aftercare plan with you. It includes ongoing therapy and follow-up medical appointments, plus a support network that fits the path you chose. That may mean non 12 step groups, 12 step meetings or both.
Non 12 step rehab: common questions
Is Stillwater a non 12 step rehab?
Yes, every client can choose a non 12 step path centered on therapy and mental health care, and 12 step support is there for anyone who wants it. Many clients use parts of both.
Is non 12 step treatment as effective as the 12 steps?
People respond differently. CBT and DBT are among the most widely used and researched treatments for addiction, and they're the core of the non 12 step path here. What matters most is a program you'll actually stick with. That's why the choice is yours.
Do I have to be religious or spiritual?
No. Spiritual counseling and meditation are available if they help you, but the non 12 step path does not ask you to adopt any belief.
Can I switch paths during treatment?
Yes. Your plan is reviewed with your treatment team as you go, and you can add 12 step work or step away from it.
Do you offer medication-assisted treatment?
Yes. It's decided case by case with our medical team. Suboxone, Subutex and Vivitrol are all options.
How long is the program, and who can attend?
Residential stays usually run 30 to 45 days. Stillwater treats adults 18 and over.
Does insurance cover non 12 step rehab?
Coverage depends on your plan, not on the approach. Stillwater works with most PPO and POS plans that include out-of-network benefits. Call or send the form for a free check.
Ready to talk it through?
Stillwater Behavioral Health · Montecito, California · Joint Commission accredited · Licensed by California DHCS
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