At Aliya Native American Program, we are proud to offer the Wellbriety Treatment Program, a holistic and culturally centered approach to recovery designed specifically for Native American and Alaska Native communities. Wellbriety combines the concept of sobriety with wellness, emphasizing healing not just from addiction but across every part of life — physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.
What Wellbriety Means
The word Wellbriety represents more than being sober. It is about living in balance, embracing cultural identity, and nurturing wellness for future generations. The program is built on the Medicine Wheel, which serves as a guide for recovery by teaching the importance of harmony in all four dimensions of life. At Aliya, we use this framework to help patients strengthen their connection to themselves, their families, and their communities.
Core Elements of the Wellbriety Program
Medicine Wheel 12 Steps
The Wellbriety curriculum adapts the traditional 12-step model of recovery by weaving in Native teachings, values, and spiritual practices. This makes the recovery journey deeply relevant for those who wish to honor their culture while working toward sobriety.
Talking Circles and Storytelling
Sharing experiences in a respectful circle is a key part of the healing process. Talking circles create a safe space where individuals can listen, reflect, and build trust with others in recovery. Storytelling also plays a role, connecting participants to ancestral wisdom while processing personal challenges.
Traditional Healing Practices
The program incorporates Native practices such as sweat lodges, drumming, prayer, and cultural ceremonies. These activities help individuals release pain, restore balance, and walk the “Red Road” — a path of integrity, healing, and spiritual renewal.
Peer and Community Support
In Wellbriety, healing does not happen alone. Group activities, peer mentorship, and community involvement ensure that recovery is supported not only by professionals but also by those walking the same journey. This emphasis on connection strengthens resilience and long-term success.
How Aliya Uses Wellbriety
At Aliya, the Wellbriety Treatment Program is integrated throughout our treatment process, whether in residential treatment, outpatient programs, or continuing care. Our team helps patients apply the lessons of Wellbriety alongside research-based therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and trauma-focused counseling. This combination provides a balanced recovery plan that respects both cultural and clinical needs.
- Detox and Early Recovery – Guidance through withdrawal with cultural and spiritual support.
- Residential Programs – Immersive care that combines traditional practices with modern therapy.
- Outpatient Programs – Continued healing while staying connected to family and community.
- Aftercare and Alumni – Ongoing support, circles, and community wellness to sustain recovery for life.
Why Wellbriety Works
The strength of Wellbriety lies in its ability to restore cultural identity while providing practical tools for sobriety. Many Native people have experienced generational trauma, loss of tradition, and community challenges. Wellbriety directly addresses these wounds by reconnecting individuals to their heritage, empowering them with life skills, and encouraging responsibility to self, family, and community.
Through this program, patients not only recover from substance abuse but also find deeper meaning, purpose, and pride in their culture.
Heal, Restore, and Reconnect with Your Community
At our treatment center, we honor the traditions and resilience of American Indians and indigenous people. Through the Wellbriety Movement and programs like Mending Broken Hearts, our intensive outpatient services support recovery on all levels: individual, family, and community.
Reconnect with your spirit through daily meditation, cultural practices, and the guidance of experienced behavioral health professionals. We recognize the lasting impact of boarding schools and trauma, and we integrate healing practices that respect your heritage—whether it’s the symbolism of the eagle feather or teachings from your indigenous communities.
Walking the Red Road
If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, culturally based healing and support are within reach. The Red Road to Wellbriety provides healing resources to Native Americans, helping individuals, families, and communities address intergenerational trauma through programs rooted in tradition, including drum circles, sacred hoop ceremonies, and Wellbriety meetings.
Join families, communities, and nations on the path to addiction recovery from drugs and alcohol. Learn from the laws of change, connect with White Bisons and Alcoholics Anonymous, and access the support you need to heal individually, with your family, and within your tribal health network. Explore the Wellbriety Store for additional healing resources, and start your journey at our rehab centers today toward lasting wellness and cultural connection.
Take the first step toward culturally-based healing and recovery—contact our Wellbriety program now and embrace a path of healing for yourself and your community.