Inductors only have the 'kick back' effect when they're suddenly switch off from normal conduction, in AC circuits this is very uncommon, basically you'd have to turn the switch off as the device was at it's maximum conduction, diode's can't protect both ways, though back to back Zeners or other transient suppression devices would work, you'd need to share your schematic or explain exactly where the inductor is in the circuit to figure out if a supression method is even required.