Since 1935 -- the year that Alcoholics Anonymous was founded -- millions of people have turned to 12-step programs to help them overcome often life-threatening addictions or self-destructive behaviors. The 12-step approach combines group support with specific activities or steps that are intended to move a person closer to recovery.
The concept has expanded greatly since 1935: There's now Gamblers Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, Sexaholics Anonymous, Spenders Anonymous and many more.
All groups encourage regular participation. Many people attend weekly meetings; some may even attend a meeting every day if they need support. Research shows that people with the most regular attendance are also the most likely to abstain from their addiction, at least in the short term.
Most 12-step programs are informally organized at the local level. There's usually no professional counseling available, but attendees get plenty of encouragement from others who are also working toward recovery. New members are encouraged to find a sponsor in the group -- someone experienced in the program who can help them along.
Twelve-step programs put great emphasis on the spiritual side of addiction and call on the guidance of a "Higher Power" -- however a person chooses to define the term.
What are the 12 steps?
The specific steps may vary slightly from one program to another, but they tend to follow the original steps authored by the founders of AA:
We admitted we were powerless over alcohol -- that our lives had become unmanageable.
Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Made a decision to turn our will and lives over to God’s care as we understood Him.
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 Him to remove our shortcomings.
Made a list of all the people we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when doing 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 Him, praying only for knowledge of His 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 alcoholics and practice these principles in all our affairs.
If you're considering a 12-step program -- or any other type of rehabilitative program -- you've already moved closer to recovery. You've acknowledged that you have a problem and decided to do something about it.
But before you attend your first meeting, you should know that those 12 steps may not take you far enough. Get an assessment from your family doctor or a substance use counselor. If you're committed to beating your addiction, you already have a great shot at success.
