The 12 Step Program - A Sombre Guide To An
Effective Program
Author: Linda E. Joy

Alcoholics Anonymous is renowned for assisting people to
overcome their addiction problems. The 12 step program is the
operational basis for the organization's program. Countless
people attribute their success to the program. Many individuals
have incorporated the 12 step program into their lives for all
kinds of addictions besides alcoholism and drug problems.
Anyone who wants to take control of his life and behavior may
benefit from following a 12 step program.

As suggested by the title, there are twelve levels to the
program. The first step is to surrender power. In other words,
the person's life spins out of hand when alcohol, drug or other
damaging elements take control. People like to pretend that they
can manage the situation. However, there are certain cases in
which trying to effect any kind of control is impossible.
Admitting that cold hard fact is the first step towards
success.

The next two steps urge the person to attempt to reach a higher
power. Many critics of the 12 step program claim that in this
respect, the system is too religious in nature. The second step
asserts that the person needs have faith in a higher power and
the third insists that the person needs to hand his life over
to God.

The fourth step is the moral inventory. This step is another
one closely affiliated to religion as anyone who has attended a
confessional session will testify. The moral inventory leads to
the fifth level of the 12 step program in which the individual
honestly confesses his wrong-doing to himself, those close to
him and to God as well.

The sixth step is ironically similar to step one. The
individual surrenders power. Instead of being powerless to the
harmful element, he admits himself to be powerless to God. The
higher being is entrusted with the responsibility of removing
the negative aspects from the individual's character. This
passive approach to recovery has been under heavy criticism as
well.

The next three levels involve making apologies and trying to
compensate for the wrong doings the individual had committed.
From there, the tenth level seeks another moral inventory and
the eleventh step encourages prayer and sense of oneness with
God. The twelfth level of the 12 step program promises a
spiritual revelation and encourages the individual to spread
the word of his success to others.

Critics of the 12 step program claim that the system is too
religious in nature. Others criticize the program because the
individual is viewed as helpless instead of pro-active. He does
not really take matters into his own hands when he surrenders
and leaves everything up to the mercy of an invisible higher
power.


About The Author: http://www.healthcare-resource-guide.com
provides our readers with the latest reviews, articles and
write-ups on all health and health-care
http://www.free-online-acne-class.info