What is the 12 Step Program?
In 1938, the founders of the first Alcoholics Anonymous Group wrote the 12-step philosophy. These steps in the Big Book were designed to help manage crises and steer a person through the challenges of recovery. Each “step” in the program is designed to help a person come to grips with his or her addiction and guide them through care for this issue. A few of these steps include:- Admitting that you are powerless over your addiction
- Knowing that a Power higher than yourself may help you overcome addiction
- Turning your life over to this Power to ensure your recovery
- Creating a list of people whom you have harmed and making amends to them
- Awakening spiritually to enhance your lifelong treatment
How a 12 Step Program Helps Recovery
The 12 step program model remains a useful way to structure many types of drug recoveries. And even though many addiction treatment programs have expanded upon this theory over the years, they often structure their care in the same way. Getting people to admit that they have a problem is almost always the first step, here, as is looking for help from experts who understand your care. Beyond that, 12 step programs also:- Help people awaken to the power that they have for self-change
- Force them to take control over their lives again
- Open up a person to making amends with loved ones in his or her life
- Enhance personal understanding of their addiction in many ways
- Create a more reliable spiritual connection if they desire one
