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12 Step Programs: What Are They and How Do They Work?

  • Reviewed by: Dr. Carl Williams, Ph.D., LCADC
  • Modified:
  • Reading Time: 7 minutes
  • Reviewed by: Dr. Carl Williams, Ph.D., LCADC
  • Last Update:
  • Reading Time: 7 minutes

Learn about the benefits of shared experiences and mutual support through 12 step programs.

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Understanding 12-Step Recovery Programs

What are 12-Step Programs?

People widely recognize TWELVE STEP programs for helping individuals recover from addictive and dysfunctional behaviors. It was first introduced by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in 1930. Since then, it has helped people recover from substance use and alcoholism.

The 12 step approach is a spiritual program that focuses on abstinence. It offers guiding principles for treating substance addictions like alcohol and drugs.

It also helps with behavioral addictions, such as gambling and sex addiction. It offers a method with twelve steps to help treat and recover from behavioral issues. This method also aims to stop substance and alcohol abuse.

The treatment is usually done in a support group. It encourages people to talk to each other.

They share and discuss their thoughts and behaviors. They also receive constructive feedback to increase their insights and awareness, which helps them recover better. Group meetings most commonly occur at different sites, such as hospital settings, to develop people’s interests.

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Functionality of the 12-Steps

How Do Twelve Step Programs Work

The twelve steps program works by working in early recovery and helps maintain the members’ sobriety. According to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), the 12 steps are guiding principles. When practiced as a way of life, they can help reduce or eliminate a person’s urge to drink and use drugs.

It helps people share their thoughts and feelings. This sharing aids recovery by building trust and friendship among members. The group members come together and help each other to recover.

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Core Principles of A 12-Step Program

What Are the Twelve Steps?

The twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) have been changed over time. They were adapted to meet new needs. However, the core idea of these steps remains the same.

These steps are effective in the recovery of everyone if they dig in deep and learn more about it. Practicing these steps every day can be very helpful. They support recovery and help prevent relapse. These twelve steps include:

Honesty

The first step to recovery is being honest about your suffering and addiction. Many people deny these issues for a long time. The family can use honesty to start the conversation. This helps the addict admit they are powerless over alcohol.

Faith

The second step is to have faith in the higher power. Believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. It is mandatory to have faith to start healing.

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Surrender

The third step is to surrender and accept that you cannot fight this alone. To treat and recover from addiction, you must submit to and trust the care of God.

Soul Searching

The fourth step is to examine your actions and behaviors. Look at how they affect you and others. This involves a careful, honest searching, and fearless moral inventory. Scour your soul through this personal inventory.

Integrity

In the fifth step of the twelve steps, you can start your growth. This starts by admitting to God and another human being the exact nature of your wrongs. You also need to understand your actions and behaviors. You also need to recognize how these affect you and others.

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Acceptance

The sixth step is about accepting your character flaws and being ready to have god remove them. It also involves thinking about how to change your bad behaviors.

Humility

In the seventh step, you need to ask the higher power for help. Humility is the quality or state of not thinking you are better than others. It is the quality or condition of being humble.

Willingness

In the eighth step, you list those you harmed before recovery (A list of amends), i.e., to change or modify (something) for the better.

Forgiveness

In the ninth step of the twelve-step program, you start making amends. Although it can be complex and challenging​ , it can be a great start in building trust and healing your damaged relationships.

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Maintenance

The tenth step is to keep your promises. Promptly admit your mistakes to help your spiritual growth and recovery.

Prayer & Meditation

The eleventh step deals with praying and meditating. You can improve your consciousness and connect with God through prayer and meditation. You can do this by praying only for His knowledge, will, and power to carry that out.

Help Others

The last step is to carry this message by sharing your experience, strength, and hope. This will help someone else who is struggling with alcoholism or drug addiction.

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What Are the Benefits of Twelve Step Programs?

As a result of these steps and practicing these principles in your daily life, the twelve-step program has been effective for many years. It has helped many people become sober. There have been many changes and improvements in addiction recovery since Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) started.

Many evidence-based treatments now help people get sober and maintain sobriety. These include motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and medications such as antidepressants, Methadone, Buprenorphine, Naltrexone, and Disulfiram.

You can get plenty of advantages by enrolling in twelve steps programs; these benefits include:

A Sober Community

The main benefit is that the 12 step program helps you stay sober. It also lets you meet new people with similar goals. It provides an excellent opportunity to make a solid, sober community that supports their recovery.

Stay Committed to Recovery

Attending regular meetings keeps you attentive and reminds you to stick to your goals on the recovery path. You are more encouraged by the people with you on this journey, which helps you stay positive and committed.

Provide Structure

In a 12 step program, you barely experience boredom. Daily meetings and group activities keep you grounded, and this reduces the chances of cravings and relapse.

Help Others

It gives you a chance to help others in their recovery through peer communication. You forget your problems after listening to others and putting effort into assisting them in maintaining sobriety.

Written By:

Geoffrey Andaria

Geoffrey Andaria mental health writer at rolling hills recovery center

Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Mental Health Writer

About Author:

Geoffrey Andaria is an experienced mental health content writer and editor. With a B.A. in English and Journalism, Geoffrey is highly educated in freelance articles and research. Having taken courses on social work, Geoffrey is adamant about providing valuable and educational information to individuals affected by mental health and the disease of addiction.

Medically Reviewed By:

Dr. Carl Williams Ph.D., LCADC

Carl Williams, medical content reviewer at rolling hills recovery center

Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Executive Director

About Reviewer:

Dr. Williams presently serves on the board of Directors for two non-profit service organizations. He holds a Master’s degree in Human Services from Lincoln University, Philadelphia, Pa, and a Ph.D. with a concentration in Clinical Psychology from Union Institute and University. In Cincinnati, Ohio. He is licensed to practice addictions counseling in both New Jersey and Connecticut and has a pending application as a practicing Psychologist in New Jersey.

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