What Is The 12 Step Program?
Author: Willie Berky
Twelve-step programs are used to battle addictions as well as
other compulsive and behavior disorders. These programs evolved
from the twelve-step program introduced by Alcoholics Anonymous
in the 1930s. Over the years millions of people have used the
principles to change their lives. It is now the most widely used
system for recovery from addictions of all types including drugs
and alcohol.
Addictions
Addictions are recurring compulsions to engage in a certain
type of behavior that can be detrimental to other facets of life
such as health, family life, employment, etc. This behavior may
relate to substances such as drugs, alcohol, or behaviors such
as overeating, sex, gambling, etc. The dependence on these
substances can be both physical and psychological. After initial
use, addiction usually takes the form of built up tolerance to
the substance followed by increased usage and withdrawal upon
eliminating or reducing the dose.
Twelve-Step Program
The twelve-step program can be adapted for use in recovery from
all types of addiction. It includes some basic principles that
are common to all programs. These principles are based around
cognitive, emotional, relationship, behavioral, social, and
spiritual objectives. They include: an admission that one cannot
control the addiction; a recognition that there is a greater
power that can help; a review of our faults with other
experienced members of the group; a desire to make amends for
wrongs; a focus on living a new way of life with a new set of
behaviors; and a desire to help others who suffer from similar
addictions.
Here are the original Twelve Steps first published by
Alcoholics Anonymous:
1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives
had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could
restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the
care of God as we understood Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being
the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of
character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing
to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except
when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong
promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our
conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only
for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that
out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these
steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to
practice these principles in all our affairs.
Group Participation
Helping others with addictions has been seen as one of the
greatest catalysts in remaining sober. Willpower alone is not
enough but rather it is the acceptance of the group approach and
reliance on a higher power that is the key. Participation in the
group and passing the twelve-step message to others as well as
imparting support, personal experience and hope are the
spiritual principles of the program. True growth in the program
is ultimately achieved by giving in the group situation rather
than receiving. The aim is to move away from self-centeredness
towards self sacrifice for others and moral awareness – the
'spiritual awakening.'
Sponsorship
Experienced members of the group practice their program by
aiding newcomers. This takes the form of a one on one
relationship known as 'sponsorship' with the experienced person
imparting their knowledge and giving feedback to the beginner.
The sponsor is in a position to guide the newcomer and help them
in their quest for sobriety.
Self-Admission
Twelve-step groups place great emphasis on self-admission by
group members. 'My name is John and I am an alcoholic.' This
reaffirms that they are powerless over their addiction.
Confidentiality
Sponsors and other group members are expected to keep
information given out during meetings as confidential. A
favorite slogan of many groups is `what you hear here, who you
see here, let it stay here'.
Halting Addictions
The causes of the addiction are not as important within the
twelve-step programs as the acceptance that there has been a
loss of control. It is this loss of control over drugs or
alcohol that is at the base of all addictions. Addiction is an
illness that affects the individual both physically and
mentally. These addictions can only be stopped – not cured.
Outpatient or Inpatient Program
The twelve-step program was developed in an outpatient-type
setting but can easily be adapted to an inpatient setting. As
mentioned previously a major ingredient of success is
involvement in a group or community.
Comparison with Other Addiction Treatments
Many other addiction treatment programs look at the causes of
addiction – depression, stress, etc and then treat these
underlying causes. Controlled usage is sometimes permitted in
these types of program. The twelve-step program views the
addiction as the root cause and complete abstinence is required.
The twelve-step program continues to lead the way in the fight
for recovery from addictions. Over the years it has helped
countless millions around the world to lead happy, productive
lives. The twelve-step program is a path toward self-discovery
and personal growth. It helps people to recover from addiction
and also develop a deeper sense of who they truly are. This
helps former addict to deal in a healthy way with all the
challenges that life brings them.
About The Author: Gatehouse Academy is a long term drug rehab
facility for young adults http://www.gatehouseacademy.com
Author: Willie Berky
Twelve-step programs are used to battle addictions as well as
other compulsive and behavior disorders. These programs evolved
from the twelve-step program introduced by Alcoholics Anonymous
in the 1930s. Over the years millions of people have used the
principles to change their lives. It is now the most widely used
system for recovery from addictions of all types including drugs
and alcohol.
Addictions
Addictions are recurring compulsions to engage in a certain
type of behavior that can be detrimental to other facets of life
such as health, family life, employment, etc. This behavior may
relate to substances such as drugs, alcohol, or behaviors such
as overeating, sex, gambling, etc. The dependence on these
substances can be both physical and psychological. After initial
use, addiction usually takes the form of built up tolerance to
the substance followed by increased usage and withdrawal upon
eliminating or reducing the dose.
Twelve-Step Program
The twelve-step program can be adapted for use in recovery from
all types of addiction. It includes some basic principles that
are common to all programs. These principles are based around
cognitive, emotional, relationship, behavioral, social, and
spiritual objectives. They include: an admission that one cannot
control the addiction; a recognition that there is a greater
power that can help; a review of our faults with other
experienced members of the group; a desire to make amends for
wrongs; a focus on living a new way of life with a new set of
behaviors; and a desire to help others who suffer from similar
addictions.
Here are the original Twelve Steps first published by
Alcoholics Anonymous:
1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives
had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could
restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the
care of God as we understood Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being
the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of
character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing
to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except
when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong
promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our
conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only
for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that
out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these
steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to
practice these principles in all our affairs.
Group Participation
Helping others with addictions has been seen as one of the
greatest catalysts in remaining sober. Willpower alone is not
enough but rather it is the acceptance of the group approach and
reliance on a higher power that is the key. Participation in the
group and passing the twelve-step message to others as well as
imparting support, personal experience and hope are the
spiritual principles of the program. True growth in the program
is ultimately achieved by giving in the group situation rather
than receiving. The aim is to move away from self-centeredness
towards self sacrifice for others and moral awareness – the
'spiritual awakening.'
Sponsorship
Experienced members of the group practice their program by
aiding newcomers. This takes the form of a one on one
relationship known as 'sponsorship' with the experienced person
imparting their knowledge and giving feedback to the beginner.
The sponsor is in a position to guide the newcomer and help them
in their quest for sobriety.
Self-Admission
Twelve-step groups place great emphasis on self-admission by
group members. 'My name is John and I am an alcoholic.' This
reaffirms that they are powerless over their addiction.
Confidentiality
Sponsors and other group members are expected to keep
information given out during meetings as confidential. A
favorite slogan of many groups is `what you hear here, who you
see here, let it stay here'.
Halting Addictions
The causes of the addiction are not as important within the
twelve-step programs as the acceptance that there has been a
loss of control. It is this loss of control over drugs or
alcohol that is at the base of all addictions. Addiction is an
illness that affects the individual both physically and
mentally. These addictions can only be stopped – not cured.
Outpatient or Inpatient Program
The twelve-step program was developed in an outpatient-type
setting but can easily be adapted to an inpatient setting. As
mentioned previously a major ingredient of success is
involvement in a group or community.
Comparison with Other Addiction Treatments
Many other addiction treatment programs look at the causes of
addiction – depression, stress, etc and then treat these
underlying causes. Controlled usage is sometimes permitted in
these types of program. The twelve-step program views the
addiction as the root cause and complete abstinence is required.
The twelve-step program continues to lead the way in the fight
for recovery from addictions. Over the years it has helped
countless millions around the world to lead happy, productive
lives. The twelve-step program is a path toward self-discovery
and personal growth. It helps people to recover from addiction
and also develop a deeper sense of who they truly are. This
helps former addict to deal in a healthy way with all the
challenges that life brings them.
About The Author: Gatehouse Academy is a long term drug rehab
facility for young adults http://www.gatehouseacademy.com
