The 12-step programmes are used by people from all around to recover from addiction and live a prosperous life away from the use of drugs or alcohol. The 12-step programmes are adopted by rehabilitation centres and support groups around the world due to their success in reducing the chances of relapse and helping people maintain abstinence for many years.
The 12-step programmes are different to other alternative addiction treatments due to their religious connotations and inspirations which remain at the core of their principles. As opposed to focusing on an individual’s experiences and feelings associated with their addiction, the 12-step programmes aim to develop spiritual growth to recover from addiction.
History of the 12 Steps
The 12-step programme consists of 12 guiding principles that an individual must follow and learn to help understand their addiction and recover from their substance abuse. The 12-step programme originated from the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting group, with the message of surrendering your body and mind to a higher power to fully recover from addiction. The founder, Bill Wilson, wrote about his experiences with recovery from alcoholism and gained Christian inspiration for the 12 Step programme and wrote about it in his book, the Big Book.
Since the creation of the 12 Steps, it has become a model for all major support groups including Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Gamblers Anonymous (GA) to help people with all types of addictions to sacrifice their addiction for a substance-free life.
What is the Purpose of the 12-Step Programme?
The primary purpose of the 12-step programme is to help people with addictive behaviours overcome their issues. Through the focus on community and bringing people together, the 12-step programmes emphasise uniting people as a group by sharing their experiences and talking about their addiction together to overcome their issues.
Addiction can be difficult for many due to its overbearing feeling of loneliness and isolation, which can lead to mental health issues and a vicious cycle of substance relapse. Speaking with other people in peer support groups and following spiritual principles can reduce the harrowing feeling of isolation. This is one of the main reasons why the 12-step programmes can be beneficial for those seeking addiction treatment to lead a happier, healthier life.
Do You Have to Be Religious to Take Part in the 12-Step Programme?
The 12-step programmes are based on Christian inspiration, often referring to a higher power in the steps to refer to something bigger than the addiction or the individual suffering from it. However, the 12 Steps don’t refer to God or any religious being, meaning that those who aren’t religious can benefit by participating in a 12-step programme.
12 Steps for Recovery
The 12 Steps, as outlined in the original Big Book and presented by AA are:
- Honesty – “We admitted that we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable.”
- Hope – “Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”
- Surrender – “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.”
- Courage – “Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.”
- Integrity – “Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.”
- Willingness – “We are entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.”
- Humility – “Humbly ask Him to remove our shortcomings.”
- Love – “Made a list of all the persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to all of them.”
- Responsibility – “Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.”
- Discipline – “Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.”
- Awareness – “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.”
- Service – “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.”
Pros and Cons of the 12-Step Programmes?
The 12-step programme has many benefits that make it successful for recovery and maintaining long-term abstinence:
- Community and peer support from likeminded individuals with similar experiences
- Moral and ethical values at the heart of its principles
- Structured and goal-oriented for recovery progression
- Easily accessible form of addiction treatment with free support
- Opportunity to help others in the local community
Despite the many benefits of taking part in 12-step programmes, they might not be for everyone. The 12-step programmes have a proven track record for helping individuals overcome addiction. However, there are aspects of the treatment that may make it ineffective for certain individuals, including:
- Group sessions and sharing experiences with others
- Faith-based treatments may not appeal to non-religious individuals
- Potentially longer recovery time than other programmes
How Long Do 12-Step Programmes Take to Complete?
There is no fixed timeline or duration for the 12-Step Programmes as it can differ for individuals. Each step can take weeks to months, or even years in some cases, to truly see the benefits of the 12-step programmes and completely recover from their substance addiction.
Many factors influence how soon someone recovers from taking part in a 12-step programme or any type of addiction treatment, including the effort or commitment of the individual and how long they can remain abstinent from drinking alcohol or taking drugs.
Does it Cost to Take Part in 12-Step Programmes?
12-step Programmes follow spiritual principles that can be accessible to anyone who wishes to use them. Typically, peer support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) use 12 steps and are free to use in local areas all around the United Kingdom. They don’t require fees to pay or entail time-limited courses, so people can leave whenever they are 12-Step Programmes whenever they feel ready.
Some rehabilitation centres use 12-step programmes at their residential centres as part of their inpatient treatments for people suffering from addiction. Participating in 12-step programmes in private rehabilitation will incur costs that cover top-class facilities, specialist therapists, and assistance from medical professionals. Despite the cost of the programmes, a 12-step programme at a private rehabilitation centre is likely to be more effective due to its seclusion and immersion for residents.
What Alternatives Are There to 12-Step Programmes?
The 12-step programmes are just one type of addiction treatment that is available to help people suffering from addiction. There are other alternatives available that can help reduce and manage addictive behaviours to recover from addiction. Each individual is different and has their preferences for dealing with their addiction, so it’s important to know what types of addiction treatments are available.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that aims to help those with addiction issues identify their behaviours and manage them to reduce the chances of future relapse. CBT programmes are structured, clear and goal-oriented.
Unlike the 12-step programmes, which are based on validation from an external power, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy typically focuses on someone’s internal thoughts and feelings, and managing them to prevent continuous substance abuse.
Holistic Therapies
Taking part in holistic therapies focuses on improving the overall well-being of an individual to help heal their addiction and aid recovery from addiction. Holistic therapies are commonly used due to their all-round approach, which can be less intensive than psychological therapies, using activities such as yoga, acupuncture and nutrition counselling.
Holistic therapies are a good alternative to 12-step programmes for those who would prefer a balanced approach to their recovery, helping heal the body and the mind to pursue an all-around healthier lifestyle.
Medication-Assisted Treatments
Using medication as well as psychological therapies to manage addiction, medication-assisted treatments aim to manage cravings and help individuals learn more about their behaviours. Some people can experience intensive or overbearing craving feelings during recovery, which can distract them and fog their focus.
Prescribed medication can be a good alternative for people who experience cravings and want minimal distractions that will deter them from their recovery goals.
Posted on Tuesday, July 9th, 2024 at 7:15 am in Addiction, Latest News.
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