What is the best chance you have of achieving and maintaining long-term sobriety? The first thing that may pop into your head is medical detox, or maybe you will seek drug treatment. While both answers are acceptable, perhaps the most essential thing to have in your corner is support. Having the support of family and recovering peers empowers and motivates you to stay on the path to recovery. 12-step groups are an effective way to get the support and motivation you need on your journey towards lasting recovery.
What are 12-Step Programs?
Simply defined, a 12-Step recovery program is a roadmap to help struggling addicts overcome addiction and the compulsion to use substances. Those who are in 12-step support groups share similar experiences in addiction and can help each other achieve and maintain abstinence from drugs and alcohol. The support people receive in these programs happen through meetings as well as one-on-one work with a sponsor who has considerable recovery time. The support and encouragement in 12-step group helps create a positive mindset that can translate into long-term sobriety.
The concept of the 12-Step program began in 1938 with the formation of Alcoholics Anonymous. In the eight decades since its formation, AA has mushroomed to over 60,000 chapters nationwide. The structure of Alcoholics Anonymous has been used to start other 12-step groups for other substance addictions, mental health issues, and behavioral addictions.
What are the 12 Steps?
The 12 Steps clearly outline the process that addicts must undergo to find recovery. These steps clearly outline the total powerlessness people face in addiction and the acceptance that they must look outside of themselves to get the help they need and to help others. The following are the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous:
- We admitted we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
- Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
- We continued to take personal inventory and promptly admitted it when we were wrong.
- We 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.
- 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.
What are the Types of 12-Step Programs?
As stated in the previous section, the AA template has been used for other 12-Step support groups. These support groups can be separated into different types. The first type are groups for substance abuse, and in addition to AA the most commonly known 12-Step drug and alcohol addiction groups are the following:
- Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
- Cocaine Anonymous (CA)
- Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA)
- Heroin Anonymous (HA)
The second type of 12-step recovery program and for those suffering from process or behavioral addictions. These groups include:
- Gamblers Anonymous
- Emotions Anonymous
- Workaholics Anonymous
- Internet Anonymous
- Sex Addicts Anonymous
There are also 12-groups for families and friends of addicts. These include the following:
- AlAnon
- Alateen
- Families Anonymous
- Parents Anonymous
- Codependents Anonymous
How to Find 12-Step Programs Near Me
Many if not all 12-Step support groups have websites with up-to-date locations, meeting times, and contact information. Many towns can have multiple locations for specific 12-Step groups. Fortunately, many treatment centers have 12-step recovery programs as part of an individualized treatment program. If you are looking for a Christian rehab in Southern California with a strong 12-Step and spiritual foundation, call Christians Drug Rehab toll-free today.
Our top-tier faith-based rehab offers evidence-based treatment programs and a strong Christian curriculum. Our experienced and compassionate treatment staff will support and empower you to transform yourself in mind, body, and above all else, spirit. Call Christians Drug Rehab today and overcome addiction once and for all.
