Wellbriety 12 Steps

Recovery is a personal and powerful journey. For many Native American communities, the Wellbriety 12 Steps journey offers a path that blends cultural heritage with healing. At Beach View Recovery in Huntington Beach, California, we respect and support diverse approaches to substance abuse recovery, including the spiritual and cultural foundation of Wellbriety. If you or someone you love struggles with addiction, exploring Wellbriety could be the key to lasting change.

What Is the Wellbriety 12 Steps?

The Wellbriety 12 Steps is an Indigenous-based adaptation of the traditional 12-step recovery program. Developed by White Bison founder Don Coyhis, it incorporates Native American teachings, traditions, and spiritual practices. “Wellbriety” combines wellness and sobriety, aiming for balance in mind, body, spirit, and emotions. Unlike standard 12-step programs, which can feel disconnected from Native culture, Wellbriety honors the medicine wheel, the wisdom of elders, and the concept of healing historical trauma.

At Beach View Recovery, we recognize that cultural relevance plays an important role in recovery success. Some patients benefit greatly when their treatment plan includes elements like Wellbriety alongside proven clinical therapies.

Why Choose Wellbriety Over Traditional Programs?

For Native Americans and others seeking a more spiritual and culturally-grounded path, Wellbriety offers something traditional 12-step programs often lack. It acknowledges the impact of colonization, loss of identity, and generational trauma that contribute to addiction in Native communities. It also emphasizes forgiveness, healing from grief, and reconnecting with cultural roots through practices such as the sweat lodge, talking circles, and ceremony.

At our Huntington Beach facility, we’ve seen how blending evidence-based therapies and culturally meaningful programs improves mental health outcomes. Even for non-Native patients, the Wellbriety philosophy—balancing health across all areas of life—can resonate deeply.

The Medicine Wheel and Recovery

Central to Wellbriety is the medicine wheel, a symbol of harmony and balance. The wheel’s four directions represent physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of health. The journey through the 12 steps in Wellbriety takes patients through each direction, fostering self-awareness, forgiveness, and leadership.

Incorporating the medicine wheel into treatment allows patients to view recovery as more than abstinence from alcohol or drugs. It becomes about reclaiming identity, healing wounds, and contributing positively to the community. Beach View Recovery supports this holistic view by integrating group therapy, individual therapy, and opportunities for spiritual growth.

Healing Historical and Personal Trauma

One of the most profound aspects of Wellbriety is its focus on addressing historical trauma. For many Native American patients, addiction is tied to generational cycles of violence, loss, and oppression. The Wellbriety 12 Steps include specific steps dedicated to confronting this trauma and breaking its grip on families and tribes.

At Beach View Recovery, our dual diagnosis program aligns with this principle. We treat both the mental health and substance abuse issues at the root of addiction. Patients who have endured domestic violence, grief, or childhood trauma find that programs like Wellbriety validate their experiences and offer meaningful pathways forward.

Spiritual Practices in the Wellbriety Journey

The Wellbriety program incorporates spiritual practices that connect participants to their heritage and to a higher power. Ceremonies like the sweat lodge, smudging, and prayer circles foster a sense of connection and renewal. Meditation and storytelling also play an important role in processing grief and building resilience.

We encourage our patients to embrace spiritual practices that align with their beliefs. Whether through Wellbriety’s traditions or other forms of spirituality, Beach View Recovery helps each patient cultivate inner strength and peace as they build a foundation for sobriety.

Supporting Physical and Mental Health Together

Addiction affects both physical and mental health. The Wellbriety 12 Steps highlight the need to restore balance to the body while healing the mind and spirit. Nutrition, exercise, and medical care support the physical body, while counseling, education, and recovery support groups strengthen mental and emotional health.

Our residential and outpatient programs in Huntington Beach reflect this balanced approach. For patients interested in Wellbriety, we help integrate these steps into a comprehensive treatment plan that also addresses co-occurring mental health disorders.

Building Community and Leadership

Recovery is not only personal—it’s communal. Wellbriety emphasizes giving back, showing leadership, and supporting others on their journey. Participants are encouraged to become role models within their families and communities, fostering a culture of healing.

At Beach View Recovery, we see firsthand how recovery inspires people to help others. Whether through peer mentorship, volunteering, or family healing, the ripple effects of sobriety transform lives beyond the individual patient.

The Role of Education in Wellbriety

Knowledge is power. Wellbriety’s curriculum includes learning about the impact of alcohol and drugs, understanding historical trauma, and mastering coping strategies. Education empowers patients to make informed decisions, avoid relapse, and advocate for their own well-being.

Our programs provide education on relapse prevention, stress management, and healthy communication. We also offer resources to help families understand addiction and support their loved ones effectively.

How Beach View Recovery Supports the Wellbriety Path

At Beach View Recovery, we honor each patient’s unique journey. For those seeking the Wellbriety 12 Steps, we integrate these teachings into treatment alongside evidence-based therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy and medication management. Our staff supports patients through the emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual challenges of recovery.

Whether you’re healing from alcohol addiction, methamphetamine use, or other substance abuse, our residential and outpatient options create a safe space for growth. We also help patients heal from domestic violence, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.

Take the First Step

The Wellbriety 12 Steps journey can transform lives. By embracing both cultural traditions and modern therapy, it provides a balanced and meaningful path to recovery. If you or someone you care about is ready to begin this journey, Beach View Recovery is here to help.

You deserve healing. You deserve peace. Take the first step today.

Getting Help at Beach View Recovery

At Beach View Recovery, we believe in providing care that respects your history, values, and goals. Whether you’re drawn to Wellbriety, need support for dual diagnosis, or are seeking residential or outpatient treatment for addiction, we’re ready to walk alongside you. Call us today to begin your journey of healing and sobriety in Huntington Beach.

FAQ: The Wellbriety Journey

1. How does the medicine wheel help people recover from substance abuse?

The medicine wheel guides people to balance the mind, body, spirit, and emotions while overcoming substance abuse. It reminds us that recovery is more than quitting alcohol or drugs — it’s about restoring harmony in every part of life. This wisdom helps people rebuild their courage and find the strength to stay on the path of sobriety.

2. Why are honesty, humility, and faith important in the Wellbriety 12 Steps?

Honesty allows you to face the truth about your drug or alcohol use without denial. Humility helps you accept support from others, including your tribe and your higher power. Faith gives you hope that change is possible, even after relapse, and keeps you moving forward with trust in the process.

3. What role do tribe and prayer play in maintaining sobriety?

Your tribe — whether family, friends, or community — provides connection and accountability that make sobriety sustainable. Prayer strengthens your spirit and keeps you grounded in hope and gratitude. Together, they build a support system rooted in tradition and shared strength.

4. How did Don Coyhis emphasize the value of hope and courage in recovery?

Don Coyhis taught that hope is what carries you through the darkest moments, and courage is what helps you take the next step even when it feels hard. His message encourages people to trust their mind and spirit to find wisdom in every challenge and to rise again after any relapse.