The 12 steps of recovery is a program often used in Alcoholics Anonymous and other forms of addiction recovery. It’s a set of guiding principles that outline a course of action for addressing and managing addiction through the power of personal accountability and self-awareness.
The 12-step approach begins with admitting the existence of the addiction and that it has become unmanageable, followed by taking personal responsibility for one’s actions and decisions. After that, the steps are intended to help the person develop spiritual and emotional strength in order to accept and follow through with the rest of the program.
The 12 steps of recovery include:
1. We admitted we were powerless over our addiction, that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
11. 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.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
The 12 steps of recovery are meant to lead to physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. The steps provide an opportunity for reflection and contemplation, allowing you to provide an honest self-assessment in order to gain an understanding of your own personal issues.
Ultimately, the goal of the 12 steps of recovery is to show you how to move forward and find a new way of living and recovering from addiction.
What happens in a 12-Step Program?
A 12-Step Program is based on principles outlined in the book Alcoholics Anonymous, which are widely used as guidelines for recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. The program provides a framework for individuals to work through their addiction and gain support from fellow participants.
The 12 steps of a 12-Step Program are:
1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol – that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. 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.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
The principal focus of a 12-Step Program is creating a spiritual awakening, trusting a higher power, making amends with those harmed, and maintaining personal inventory. The principles are intended to guide members to take personal responsibility for their recovery.
Some organizations provide support and therapy for members to attend in addition to their involvement in 12-Step Programs. Those involved in 12-Step programs are encouraged to attend meetings, develop relationships with sponsors, and find support from the community.
The idea is to empower individuals and create a network of support to help them approach their addiction and recovery holistically.
What is the meaning of 12-Step?
The 12-Step program is a set of guiding principles outlining a course of action for recovery from substance addiction, behavioral addiction, or other psychological or physical dependency. The 12-Step program was first introduced by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in 1938 and has since been adopted by other mutual help groups.
The core of the 12-Step program is the idea of a power greater than oneself that can restore sanity. People participating in 12-Step programs take responsibility for their lives, accept their powerlessness over the addiction, and seek the guidance and support of others to help them recover.
The 12-Step program emphasizes spiritual, moral, and character development that brings peace and hope to those dealing with pain and suffering associated with addiction, which ultimately leads to healing and transformation.
The 12 Steps stress rigorous self-honesty and self-examination, and the need to surrender ones’ ego and accept that a power greater than oneself can help with recovery. Each of the 12 Steps involves action to reach recovery goals.
These all involve developing greater awareness and clarity about the condition and effects of the addiction, as well as responsibility and action to take positive steps to address one’s problems and build a sober support network.
The 12-Step program has been adopted by other mutual-help groups, and is now widely accepted as an effective approach to recovery from a variety of addictions.