According to a survey conducted by NIAAA (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism), over 14 million American adults ages 18 or older suffer from alcohol use dependency in 2018. The treatment cornerstone of alcohol and drug addiction is the 12-step recovery program. Initially launching in the 1930s, this treatment program was the first to acknowledge that addiction isn’t a choice. Today, AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) and NA (Narcotics Anonymous) dedicate their practices to helping people across the globe achieve sobriety. At Washburn House, we implement a range of programs, and we can explain how a 12 step program helps recovery.
How 12 Step Programs Help Recovery with Meetings
Individuals who are struggling with addiction can learn how a 12 step program helps recovery with meetings. Moreover, by attending these meetings, they can learn a variety of ways to manage and understand their substance abuse disorder. These meetings are also excellent opportunities to find social support throughout their recovery. The main reason is that those who are attending these meetings are dealing with the same struggles.
What are the 12 Steps?
Alcoholics Anonymous initially created the 12 steps. They include admitting powerlessness over substance abuse, and that you’re coming to believe that you can restore your sanity using higher power. The next step is creating a moral inventory. Then you admit the precise nature of your wrong-doings. The steps move on further to ask a higher power to remove your shortcomings. The last four steps include:
- Making amends with those you’ve harmed if it doesn’t cause injuries
- Continued efforts toward taking personal inventories and promptly admitting to wrongdoing
- Seeking through meditation and prayer to make improvements with your conscious contact with your higher power
- Experiencing a spiritual awakening because of the 12 step program and building a support network
It’s essential to note that you don’t have to be religious to be part of a 12 step program. While this program was originally founded by a Christian organization, in no way, shape, or form do you have to believe in the same principles. In fact, 12 step programs can help a wide variety of people and ensure long-lasting sobriety no matter what your religious beliefs are. The only factor that comes into play is whether you are willing to work towards recovery.
The Benefits of How a 12 Step Program Helps Recovery
As Psychology Today indicates, those who are learning how a 12 step program helps recovery have opportunities to achieve a personality transformation. Additionally, benefits for embarking upon this healing journey include:
- There’s no cost to participating in a 12 step program
- Individuals partner with a sponsor who has been through the steps and is still sober after five years
- The 12 step program has the most significant long-term impact on those in recovery
- Individuals have access to an immediate network of support available within their community
There are many different types of 12 step programs. For instance, some of the most common programs include AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), NA (Narcotics Anonymous), CA (Cocaine Anonymous), CMA (Crystal Meth Anonymous), and MA (Marijuana Anonymous). You’ll also find groups for families that include:
- Anon: for friends and family members of individuals abusing alcohol
- ACA: Adult Children of Alcoholics
- Nar-Anon: for friends and family members of individuals abusing narcotics
- Organizations: Many organizations adopt the 12 step methodology to build programs based on variations of the 12 steps
Final Thoughts
At Washburn House, we’re dedicated to helping people overcome their addictions. As a result, we provide a range of addiction treatment programs, including:
- Alcohol addiction treatment
- Heroin addiction treatment
- Cocaine addiction treatment
- Prescription pill addiction treatment
- Marijuana addiction treatment
Contact Washburn House at 855.298.3104 to learn more about 12 step programs and how we’re here to help.