How do the 12-Steps Work?

How do the 12-Steps Work?

The 12-Step Program is widely known as being associated with Alcoholics Anonymous which began in the 1930s. There are other programs set up that use the same basic steps adjusted to fit the needs of the group such as Narcotics Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous They even have other programs for family members that have been affected such as Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA). The 12-Step Program is used in many treatment facilities with the basic understanding that these people can help each other through shared experiences and shared understanding. They can help each other maintain their abstinence while also surrendering to a higher power. While there is no set higher power it is helpful with this program to believe in something greater than any one person and greater than any one person’s addiction. Although the program has this religious focus, many nonreligious people have found the program helpful. The 12-Step Program was begun by Alcoholics Anonymous in 1938 by Bill Wilson with his own experience with his past alcoholism in mind. It was based on the positive experience he had when people struggling with alcoholism shared their stories with each other. This program was written in what would come to be known as the Big Book. He originally wrote the book for people who couldn’t attend the meetings but it eventually became the model for the whole program. This model was then applied to other addictions such as narcotics and cocaine. It can be helpful in behavioral changes amongst the peers. Studies have shown that having a support group such as family members and even peer groups such as those made through the 12-Step Programs can help recovering addicts maintain their sobriety better than those without a support group. The program gives people the outline for how to surrender to their addiction, process their experience, and then move forward with new patterns. It helps the individual build mental and emotional transformative practices and skills. They are better able to recognize and admit their addiction problem, surrender to their addiction and make the decision to gain control with outside help. They become aware of their behaviors that were a part of the addiction and those that started because of it and also the ones that help with their self-restraint. They get a chance to practice their restraint and build their self-esteem while achieving self-acceptance and learning how to change behaviors. They learn tools to practice throughout their life. Some people find that they have to revisit certain steps or handle more than one at one time, neither is wrong, it depends on what works best for the individual.

The 12-Steps

1. Admitting powerlessness over the addiction: many people have a difficult time admitting they have a problem they can’t control, so once they acknowledge this they can start the healing process.
2. Believing that a higher power (in whatever form) can help: this higher power does not have to be “God” but something greater than themselves.
3. Deciding to turn control over to the higher power: after acknowledging the higher power they need to turn themselves over to their higher power, after this step often starts the recovery process.
4. Taking a personal inventory: this is a self-examination that for many is uncomfortable but the honesty is key to identify the areas of past regret, guilt, anger, or embarrassment.
5. Admitting to the higher power, oneself, and another person the wrongs done: this means admittance of past behavior often time done with their sponsor.
6. Being ready to have the higher power correct any shortcomings in one’s character: this is a sense of forgiveness from the higher power.
7. Asking the higher power to remove those shortcomings: everyone has imperfections but this step is admitting that they need help from their higher power to eliminate their defects.
8. Making a list of wrongs done to others and being willing to make amends for those wrongs: in this step is an admittance of all their small or large wrongs.
9. Contacting those who have been hurt, unless doing so would harm the person: working with their sponsor individuals make amends through letters or face-to-face conversations.
10. Continuing to take personal inventory and admitting when one is wrong: self-monitoring is essential for any future wrongdoings.
11. Seeking enlightenment and connection with the higher power via prayer and meditation: this helps with accountability for step ten.
12. Carrying the message of the 12 Steps to others in need: this encourages members to help others with their recovery this can include becoming someone else’s sponsor.

There are also 12 Traditions that speak to the members as a whole, unlike the steps which focus on the individual. The steps, traditions, sponsorships, and meetings all encourage accountability, social support, and encouragement to the people who want to overcome their addiction and stay sober. These steps offer a free form of treatment and support. Following the recovery steps helps individuals achieve and maintain their sobriety. These meetings are open for anyone who actually wants to become sober. They believe that addiction is a disease and addicts need support to stay sober and that it is a lifelong process. They also believe that supporting others in their recovery is necessary for lasting commitment and stability but to accept that everyone is flawed.