AA Twelve Steps & Recovery Programs What You Should Know

However, the prominence of this type of treatment as well as success stories from those in recovery suggest it is effective. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities. Although the 12 Steps are based on spiritual principles, many nonreligious people have found the program immensely helpful. The language emphasizes the presence of God as each participant understands God, allowing for different interpretations and religious beliefs. The information on this website is not intended to be a substitute for, or to be relied upon as, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or qualified health provider with questions regarding a medical condition.

The goal is to help members experience a “spiritual awakening” or make the personal change needed to overcome addiction. A small, older 2008 study looked at the effectiveness of peer support groups in addiction recovery. The findings suggested that these groups might have a significant positive influence. Each group has its Top 5 Questions to Ask Yourself When Choosing Sober House own specific focus, but all are based on the 12-Step Programme and aim to provide a supportive community for individuals in recovery. Drug addiction is a complex disease and stopping drug use takes more than good intentions or strong willpower. Repeated drug use leads to changes in the brain that challenge self-control.

How Long Does It Take for the Twelve Steps to Work?

When clinicians use empirically validated techniques to support mutual help group involvement, it is far more likely to occur (Humphreys, 1999). Twelve-step programs provide a course of action for recovery, in which participants proceed through twelve progressive actions. Twelve-step programs focus on anonymity, regularly-scheduled meetings, connection between members for support (usually via telephone), and sponsorship, which is a mutually beneficial relationship in which an experienced member provides support to another member. All 12-step fellowships are based on and adapted from the 12-step recovery program of Alcoholics Anonymous put forth in the Big Book, 12 Steps, and 12 Traditions. Many 12-step programs are centered around some form of spirituality or recognition of a higher power, though this is not a requirement for attendance or participation. Meetings vary widely in format both from group to group and from meeting to meeting, but generally include a discussion of one of the twelve steps, sharing of personal stories of recovery, reading of twelve-step literature, and prayer.

• Programs are peer-based and led by a member of the program.
• Also, a number of 12-Step programs, including AA and NA, have women’s-only groups that may be seen by many women as more welcoming and supportive and, thus, are more likely to be attended than mixed gender groups.
• 12-step programs provide peer support, encouragement and accountability for people who want to overcome addiction.

The written text is easy to read, but to truly understand each of the steps, one must practice them and learn to live them. Naranon
This program, officially called Nar-anon Family Groups, is for those who have been affected by a friend or family member’s addiction. This group runs similar to Alanon groups and utilizes a 12 Step model for recovery. Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA)
ACA or ACOA is for those individuals who grew up in alcoholic homes or those with other addictions or dysfunction. Formed in 1973, this group is for those who desire to recover from the adverse effects of growing up in an alcoholic home.

Step Programs for Alcohol and Drug Addiction

Since the creation of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in 1935, the number of programs (such as Narcotics Anonymous, Crystal Meth Addicts Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, etc.) has grown rapidly, as has the number of groups and attendees. By AA’s own figures, there are currently approximately 120,300 AA groups worldwide, and 2,087,840 active members. Accessing science-based treatment for addiction is incredibly difficult. And even after overcoming the barriers to beginning treatment, ongoing social support is essential to a life in recovery. Though meetings are considered essential, a person will need to work the 12 Steps in order to learn about them and to receive the self-improvement each step has to offer.

This can greatly increase the program’s efficacy and long-term benefits. In 2006 and 2007, an annual average of five million individuals age 12 or older in the United States attended a self-help group as a means of trying to deal with alcohol or drug use issues (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2008). Of this number, approximately 45% attended because of alcohol only, 22% because of illicit drug use only, and 33% because of alcohol and illicit drug use. About one third of those who attended a self-help group in the past year had also been involved in some type of formal treatment over that same period. Conversely, about two thirds of those who were involved in substance abuse treatment during the past year also attended a self-help group.

#2 Refuge Recovery

As of January, 2012, the AA General Service Office estimated that there were nearly 64,000 groups with 1.4 million members in the United States and Canada, and a worldwide estimate of more than 114,000 groups and 2.1 million members (Alcoholics Anonymous [AA], 2012). The membership has increased steadily over the past four decades (Kaskutas, Ye, Greenfield, Witbrodt, & Bond, 2008). Narcotics Anonymous (NA; 2010b) has similarly expanded to become an international network of support groups, with more than 58,000 weekly meetings in 131 countries. Cocaine Anonymous (CA; 2011) has grown from its origins in 1982 to more than 30,000 members and 2,000 groups internationally by 1996. In addition, AA, NA, and CA all have Internet-based “chat” rooms and online meetings that can be found easily by doing an online search (e.g., “online NA meetings”); these online resources are viewed as ways to supplement, not replace, attending meetings in person.

The 12 Steps, therefore, are considered a spiritual, not religious, means of bringing about personal transformation. Since the 12 Steps are adaptable to different contexts (i.e., beyond addiction recovery) and philosophical approaches, it is not a surprise that different groups have published their own variations. As Dr. Bob was also experiencing alcoholism, the two men found that they could help each other stay sober.