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Reviewed by Despite significantly impacting physical health, psychological well-being, careers, and relationships, many individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) avoid seeking formal treatment due to several factors, including drug rehab costs and the stigma associated with addiction.
Yet, one powerful path to recovery that has helped countless people is the 12-step program. Known for its positive long-term outcomes, this approach includes well-known groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and Cocaine Anonymous (CA), among others.
With studies showing that about 50% of those who attended AA or other 12-step meetings were abstinent at 1 year,ย these groups have been pivotal in providing support. Continue reading to discover how these 12 steps of recovery can be a transformative force in your journey for addiction recovery.
Table Of Contents:
- What Is A 12 Step Program for Addiction?
- 12 Steps of Recovery
- Types of 12 Step Treatment Programs
- How Does A 12 Step Program AA Work?
- Who Can Get Into 12 Step Treatment Program?
- 12 Step Program Success Rate: Does It Work?
- 12 Step Programs Near Me: Finding Treatment
- 12 Step Recovery โ Final Thoughts
- People Also Ask
What Is A 12 Step Program for Addiction?
A 12-step program is a set of guiding principles outlining a course of action for recovery from addiction, compulsion, or other behavioral problems.
Originally proposed by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) as a method of recovery from alcoholism, the Twelve Steps were first published in the 1939 book “Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered from Alcoholism.”
Since then, the 12-step program has been adopted and adapted by many other groups to treat a wide range of addictions and compulsions. The formal position of Alcoholics Anonymous is that alcohol addiction progressively worsens, defined by an inability to control alcohol consumption. The core principle of the approach is mutual support among members to maintain sobriety by engaging in the steps.
These steps are straightforward and can be briefly outlined as follows:
12 Steps of Recovery
Here is a simplified breakdown of the steps, though the exact wording may vary slightly from one program to another:
- Admit powerlessness over the addiction.
- Believe that a Power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity.
- Make a decision to turn our will and lives over to God’s care as we understand Him.
- Make a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
- Admit to God, ourselves, and another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
- Be entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
- Humbly ask Him to remove our shortcomings.
- Make a list of all persons we have harmed, and become willing to make amends to them all.
- Make direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when doing so would injure them or others.
- Continue to take personal inventory, and when we are wrong, promptly admit it.
- We seek to improve our conscious contact with God as we understand Him through prayer and meditation, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
- As a result of these steps, we have had a spiritual awakening. We try to carry this message to other addicts and practice these principles in all our affairs.
It’s worth noting that while the program involves recognition of โGod or a higher powerโ, it is not affiliated with any particular religion and is meant to be adaptable to participants of any faith or none at all. The aim is to find a spiritual foundation that can aid in recovery.
Types of 12 Step Treatment Programs
12-Step programs have expanded significantly beyond their origins in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). While they all share a common foundation of twelve steps and twelve traditions, they cater to different addictions and support systems.
- Narcotics Anonymous (NA): Addressing addiction to opioids and other illicit drugs.
- Cocaine Anonymous (CA): Specifically for cocaine addiction.
- Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA): Tailored to methamphetamine addiction.
- Marijuana Anonymous (MA): For individuals struggling with marijuana addiction.
- Heroin Anonymous (HA): Focused on heroin addiction.
- Gamblers Anonymous (GA): Addressing gambling addiction.
- Overeaters Anonymous (OA): For individuals with compulsive eating disorders.
- Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA): Addressing sexual addiction and compulsive behaviors.
- Al-Anon/Alateen: Support groups for families and friends of alcoholics.
- Nar-Anon: Similar to Al-Anon, but for families and friends of addicts.
- Co-Anon: Support for partners of people with addictions.
- Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA): For individuals raised in dysfunctional families.
- Dual Diagnosis Anonymous (DDA): For those with both substance abuse and mental health disorders.
- 12-Step Groups for Healthcare Professionals and First Responders: Tailored to specific professions.
How Does A 12 Step Program AA Work?
Entering a 12-Step program for this first time may cause some anxiety and uncertainty. We have simplified terms associated with these types of programs and a standard timeline for you to get around:
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- Meetings: Regular gatherings where members share their experiences, strengths and support.
- Sponsor: An experienced member who guides a newcomer through the 12 steps.
- The Big Book: The foundational text of Alcoholics Anonymous, containing the original 12 steps.
- Higher Power: A term referring to a higher force that is believed to help achieve sobriety.
- Anonymity: A core principle ensuring that members’ identities and shared experiences are confidential.
- Open Meetings: Meetings that anyone can attend, including those who are not struggling with addiction.
- Closed Meetings: Meetings restricted to those having a substance use disorder.
- 12 Traditions: Guidelines for the internal functioning of the program, ensuring unity and integrity.
- Step Work: The process of working through each of the 12 steps, typically with the guidance of a sponsor.
- Making Amends: Steps 8 and 9 involve listing those harmed by addiction and making direct amends to them.
- Recovery: The ongoing process of maintaining sobriety through continuous engagement with the program.
- Service: Volunteering and helping others within the program.
- Fellowship: The sense of community and mutual support found among members of the 12-Step program.
The AA 12 steps program operates through regular meetings, sponsorship, and a structured process for working through the steps. Hereโs a breakdown of how it typically works logistically:
| Timeline | Activity |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | First Meeting Attendance: Join an initial meeting to understand the structure and goals of the program. |
| Week 1-2 |
Find a Sponsor: Connect with an experienced member who can guide you through the steps.
Obtain Literature: Acquire key texts such as the “Big Book” of Alcoholics Anonymous and other program literature to study. |
| Week 3-4 | Regular Meeting Attendance: Attend at least one meeting per week, sharing experiences and learning from others (~60โ90 minutes duration). |
| Month 1 |
Start Working the Steps: Begin with Step 1 and work through the steps sequentially with the sponsor’s help.
Study Program Literature: Read the “Big Book” and other materials to understand the principles and stories of recovery. |
| Month 2-3 | Engage in Various Meeting Formats: Attend different types of meetings (discussion, step meetings, speaker meetings) to gain diverse perspectives. |
| Month 3-6 | Active Participation: Regularly attend meetings, share personal progress, and receive peer and sponsor feedback. |
| Month 6-12 | Deepen Step Work: Continue progressing through the steps, involving personal reflection and actions such as making amends. |
| Ongoing | Maintain Meeting Attendance: Keep attending meetings regularly to sustain sobriety and provide support to newcomers. |
| 1 Year and Beyond | Sponsor Others: After maintaining sobriety, consider becoming a sponsor to guide new members. |
| Lifelong | Continued Involvement: Stay engaged with the program for ongoing support, personal growth, and community connection. |
Who Can Get Into 12 Step Treatment Program?
Anyone who believes they have a problem with a substance or behavior that is negatively impacting their life can attend a 12-step program.
There are no specific qualifications or prerequisites to join. 12-step programs are open to individuals from all walks of life, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. The core principle of 12-step programs is that addiction is a disease, and anyone who struggles with it can benefit from the support and guidance offered by the
If you are someone open to following a set of guiding principles that require personal honesty, acceptance, and willingness to change and recover from your addiction, a 12 step program is open to welcome you.
12 Step Program Success Rate: Does It Work?
The effectiveness of 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a topic of ongoing debate. While no experimental studies have definitively proven that AA or Twelve-Step Facilitation approaches reduce drug dependence, there’s also no conclusive evidence that they don’t work.
A significant factor in the success of 12-Step programs appears to be the fellowship they offer. Being part of these groups often leads to a shift in social networks, reducing the influence of those who support drinking and increasing connections with those who support abstinence.
Studies have shown that participants who experienced a “spiritual awakening” and identified as members of 12-Step groups reported higher levels of wisdom. Another factor appears to be attendance frequency plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of 12-Step programs.
- Abstinence rates are about twice as high among those who regularly attend 12 step meetings.
- Over 70% of those attending weekly/six months before a two-year follow-up were abstinent.
- 70% of participants who consistently attended AA meetings/27 weeks abstained at a 16-year follow-up.
The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) notes that the long-term success rate of 12-step programs is around 10%. Despite this, the program’s accessibility and the supportive community it fosters make it a valuable resource for many on their journey to recovery.
12 Step Programs Near Me: Finding Treatment
Finding 12-Step programs is relatively straightforward, thanks to their widespread availability and numerous resources. Here are several ways to locate a 12-step program:
- Visit aa.org and use their meeting finder tool to locate meetings by zip code or city.
- Go to na.org and use their meeting search feature.
- Check ca.org for meeting information.
- Community centers, churches, and hospitals often host 12-step meetings.
- Check bulletin boards, and websites, or call to inquire about meeting schedules.
- Call the AA hotline for assistance finding local meetings.
- Contact the NA helpline for meeting information.
- Therapists, counselors, and social workers can provide information and referrals to local 12-step meetings.
- Join online recovery communities and forums where members often share information about meetings.
12 Step Recovery โ Final Thoughts
Twelve-step programs serve as readily available, easily accessible, and no-cost resources for individuals with substance use disorders. Meeting attendance and engagement in recovery activities is associated with better substance use and psychosocial outcomes as well as reduced health care costs.
Social workers and healthcare providers should increase the likelihood of linking substance abusers to 12-Step programs, particularly as follow-up or aftercare, helping clients maintain sobriety after completing short-term inpatient programs through regular meetings and mutual support.
While no treatment is perfect, engaging with a 12-Step program is often better than no treatment at all. The sense of community, support, and structured guidance these programs provide can be crucial in sustaining long-term recovery.
People Also Ask
What is the difference between treatment and 12 step programs/groups?
Treatment involves professional medical and psychological care, often in clinical settings. Twelve-step programs are peer-led support groups that focus on mutual aid, community, and adherence to structured recovery steps.
What to expect from 12 step recovery programs?
Expect regular meetings, shared personal experiences, sponsorship, adherence to the 12 steps, spiritual growth, anonymity, and a supportive community focused on maintaining sobriety and personal accountability.
What is a 12 step program for drug addiction?
A structured peer-support program guiding individuals through twelve steps of recovery, fostering spiritual awakening, personal accountability, and ongoing support to achieve and maintain sobriety from drug addiction.
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Page Sources
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- Mendola, A., & Gibson, R. (2016). Addiction, 12-Step Programs, and Evidentiary Standards for ethically and clinically sound Treatment recommendations: What should clinicians do? The AMA Journal of Ethic, 18(6), 646โ655. https://doi.org/10.1001/journalofethics.2016.18.6.sect1-1606
- Nash, A. J. (2020). The Twelve Steps and Adolescent Recovery: A Concise Review. Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment. https://doi.org/10.1177/1178221820904397
- DiGangi, J. A., et al. (2014). What Promotes Wisdom in 12-Step Recovery? Journal of Groups in Addiction & Recovery, 9(1), 31. https://doi.org/10.1080/1556035X.2013.836869
- Kaskutas, L. A. (2009). Alcoholics Anonymous Effectiveness: Faith Meets Science. Journal of Addictive Diseases, 28(2), 145. https://doi.org/10.1080/10550880902772464
- Flanagin, J. (2014, March 25). The surprising failures of 12 steps. The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/03/the-surprising-failures-of-12-steps/284616/