Twelve-step programs are support groups for people battling a variety of destructive behaviors, including substance use disorders. These meetings are readily available, easily accessible and most often free to join. They consist of men and women who share experiences, strength and hope with one another.
Used by millions of people around the world, 12-step programs encourage members to adopt a set of guiding principles called the 12 Steps. Following the steps in order has helped people achieve and maintain abstinence from behavioral problems such as substance use disorders, gambling addiction and eating disorders. The bonds formed and lessons learned during these meetings can last a lifetime.
There is a deeply spiritual nature to our program of recovery. The Twelve Steps endeavors to take the recovering addict on a journey that will far exceed their expectations. Working and living the steps will (hopefully) lead them to a spiritual awakening.
To get started on this journey, the addict seeking 12 Step Recovery must become willing to surrender to that program and its principles, since they believe their willingness, openess and honesty will lead them to their success.
The 12 Steps of Recovery
- We admitted we were powerless over our addiction, that our lives had become unmanageable. (More about Step 1)
- Came to believe a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understand God.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
- Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
- Humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
- Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
- Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood God, praying only for the knowledge of God’s will for us and the power to carry that out.
- Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to other addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
Examples of 12-step programs include:
Through the 12 Steps, people learn how to cope with addiction, avoid triggers and live sober lives. Support group members admit their powerlessness over addiction, examine past mistakes and make amends with those they’ve wronged. Each meeting, they share support and learn ways to apply the 12-step principles to their lives.
The goal is to help members experience a spiritual awakening, a phrase used by Alcoholics Anonymous to describe the personality change required to overcome addiction.
Meetings often are held in public facilities such as schools, churches or community centers. They offer a forum for individuals to share their story, including past struggles and triumphs, with those in similar situations. Together, participants learn and work the 12 Steps of recovery.
For decades, countless individuals have used 12-step meetings to recover from substance use problems. In many instances, participants overcome their problems and become healthy, productive community members.
