How Can I Start a 12-Step Program?

Starting a 12-step program can be a powerful and life-changing journey. The program provides a safe space for individuals to begin their recovery from addiction and create a lasting lifestyle of sobriety. This post will guide you through the process of starting your 12 steps.

How a 12-Step Program Works

The 12 steps are a series of actionable steps that guide recovery from addiction. They present a road to recovery to assist members of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other addiction agendas to gain sobriety and keep it throughout their lives. The program can help provide the tools necessary to make lasting changes in behavior.

12-step meetings are the fellowship portion of the program, where attendees share stories and experiences in a supportive and encouraging environment. The meetings provide an understanding of the issues faced by members and a haven for members to grow and learn from one another. The most ratchet Asian girl also joined this program without public disclosure. 

The 12 Steps of Addiction Recovery

Recovering from addiction is a continuous journey and there's no set way to approach the 12 steps. Participants may need to revisit some steps or work on multiple steps simultaneously as they progress in their recovery. The first steps are considered the cornerstone of the program and it is often advised to incorporate them into daily practice. Here are the 12 steps initially created for AA:

1. Acknowledging powerlessness over the substance (such as alcohol).

2. Accepting that a higher power can help.

3. Committing lives over to the care of a higher power.

4. Conducting a deep and courageous evaluation of morals.

5. Accepting to a higher power, oneself, and another person the full extent of transgressions.

6. Preparing to have the higher power remove all these defects of character.

7. Beseeching the higher power to relieve the shortcomings.

8. Recognizing the mistakes done to others and taking steps towards amending those wrongs.

9. Reaching out to those who have been wounded, so long as it does not cause further distress.

10. Assessing actions and owning up to mistakes quickly when wrong.

11. Seeking guidance from a spiritual authority or higher power and praying for understanding and strength to live accordingly.

12. Spread the 12-step program to those suffering from addiction and in need of help.

The Basic Addiction Recovery Principles

Faith

Faith is an integral part of the 12 steps and encourages individuals to trust that recovery is possible. Believing you can recover requires having faith in yourself and something greater than yourself. Faith isn’t about being perfect; it is having trust that life can get better with recovery. It is also about believing that you can accept the situations you cannot control.

Honesty

Honesty involves facing the truth about oneself, one's habits and behaviors, and admitting it to others. This can be incredibly difficult for many individuals, who may have spent years in denial about addiction. After much work and introspection, being honest with oneself and others can be a freeing step in the recovery process.

Integrity

Admitting our mistakes, faults, and wrong-doings is an integral part of reaching out for help. This principle encourages us to take responsibility for our actions, accept their consequences, and apologize when necessary. Admitting our wrong-doings can be difficult and uncomfortable, but it is often necessary for us to start the process of healing and personal growth. 

Willingness

Acknowledging that our addiction has taken control of our lives is a vital step in the 12-step program to achieving sobriety. It involves the courage to face our problems and ask for help to move forward in our lives. It includes the willingness to change and continually improve.

Forgiveness and Acceptance

This principle means forgiving yourself for any past mistakes, accepting your current situation, and taking ownership of it all. It involves committing to move forward in a positive direction and remaining open to change. 

Humility

Humility encourages individuals to accept that they are not perfect, but strive for self-improvement. It helps us recognize our weaknesses and vulnerabilities and understand we cannot do it all alone. Embracing humility can allow you to receive help and support from others.

A 12-Step Program: A Pathway to a New Life

A 12-step program can assist patients to achieve recovery from habit and regain power over their lives. Exploring the 12 steps in depth can help you develop a new code of behavior to live a better, healthier life. Examine your past and amend them with the help of a sponsor so you can gain new coping skills.