12 Step Program for Addiction Recovery

It is hard to know what process or program will be most helpful to each individual in many cases. Personalities and inclinations are different, and some people respond to other things. Our expert staff is prepared to help each patient with navigating these options. One of the addiction treatment options that we much encourage is the 12-Step Program developed initially for Alcoholics Anonymous and focused on alcohol addiction. While this is not the only option we have, it is one that we highly recommend considering as we have seen great results from its use.

The Origin and Benefits of the 12-Step Program

The 12-Step Program or Method was developed for Alcoholics Anonymous. Alcoholics Anonymous was founded by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith in 1935. Their intentions were initially to develop a program for alcohol addiction recovery from a Christian perspective. Since then, their methodology has been expanded to include other addictions and faiths.[i]

Like many other treatments and programs, the 12-Step Program is not necessarily the right fit for everyone. It may be a highly successful option for some and not do anything at all for others. At Cycles of Change Recovery, we have options that do not use 12-Step Programs as well. However, as it has been a valuable aspect of recovery for many, we want to offer this option of treatment for those situations in which it can be helpful.

The 12 Steps

The twelve steps were designed for Alcoholics Anonymous and presented from that perspective. Still, it is worth remembering that the steps have application beyond just alcohol addiction.

The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous are as follows:

We admitted we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable.
I came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
We decided 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.
We 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 with them all.
Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Continued to take personal inventory and, when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
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 due to these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and practice these principles in all our affairs.[ii]

In part, the program requires recognizing something beyond ourselves to how we are accountable and who can help us in recovery. Additionally, it requires a great deal of humility. We must realize that we do not have the strength to solve our addiction ourselves.

The 12 Traditions

Beyond just the twelve steps, there are additionally twelve traditions that are often a core part of the 12-Step program. Whereas the twelve rules are primarily focused on how we as individuals should respond to alcohol and recovery, the twelve traditions relate to how the community functions. The role of the community and the group is an essential part of recovery and 12-Step Programs. Again, these traditions have a role beyond Alcoholics Anonymous and alcohol addiction. Still, since they were developed for that purpose, that is how they will be presented here.

The Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous are as follows:

Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.
For our group purpose, there is but one ultimate authority—a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.
Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.
Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
An A.A. group ought never to endorse, finance, or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside the enterprise. The lest problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ striking workers.
A., as such, A should never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name should never be drawn into public controversy.
Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films.
Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.[iii]

The 12-Step Program in Practice

In some cases and situations, our program’s exact nature at Cycles of Change Recovery may be slightly different. Still, we have found that using the 12-Step Program has been of great benefit to many of our patients as they begin long-term recovery. If you have questions about the process or whether it is the right fit, please ask. As mentioned above, we also have non-12-step programs that may be a better fit in some instances.

12 Step treatment Program at Cycles of Change Recovery Services

At Cycles of Change Recovery, we want to come alongside those struggling with various addictions and withdrawal symptoms to help transition into recovery. We can offer 24/7 on-site medical help and supervision, counseling, and consistent care to facilitate the process of healing. Our facility can help in moving past withdrawal, recovering from addiction, and avoiding relapse. Please review our various programs[iv] to see which one meets the situation or need. It is also recommended to check our accreditation,[v] staff,[vi] and facility,[vii] so that you can be confident Cycles of Change Recovery Services is the right path for you or your loved one.

Sources:

[i] Nicolle Monico. “The 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.).” Reviewed by Scot Thomas, M.D. American Addiction Centers. https://www.alcohol.org/.
[ii] Alcoholics Anonymous. “This Is A.A…an introduction to the A.A. recovery program.” Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., 2017. www.aa.org.
[iii] Ibid.
[iv] https://cyclesofchangerecovery.com/programs/.
[v] https://cyclesofchangerecovery.com/about/accreditation/.
[vi] https://cyclesofchangerecovery.com/about/staff/.
[vii] https://cyclesofchangerecovery.com/about/palmdale/.