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Getting started with any treatment program is a challenging move for any individual under the influence of alcohol or abused substances. However, one must think of the greater benefit to reap off when a person completes his recovery program.
Meanwhile, several studies have shown that successful rehab patients have made it with moral and emotional support from their families, friends, and loved ones. In addition, these patients have adapted the 12-step program for a comprehensive recovery path toward being sober.
What Is the 12 Step Program?
No man is an island. Somehow this can be the shortest capsule summary for the 12 step recovery program. This model exemplifies the importance of socialization and communication in strengthening the morale and motivation of patients for long-term recovery and sobriety.
In the 12 Step Model, patient members are allowed to share each of their experiences, learnings, and success in overcoming addiction and alcoholism. These periodic sharing sessions among members provide exceptional encouragement for a better life.
Several medical results showed that a lot of patients have successfully maintained sobriety and healthy life after completing their 12-step recovery program. This model is not just a mere treatment plan, for it serves as a holistic guide toward living a healthy and sober life.
How Did the 12 Step Program Start?
The 12 step recovery model started in 1935 and its first manifestation or practical application was seen in the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Generally, the twelve steps in this model guide the patients or members in overcoming addiction and alcoholism. Likewise, it incorporates camaraderie and spirituality in the recovery process.
Bill Wilson is the founder of this 12 step recovery model which is popularly known as the Big Book. This model recognizes the importance of external force from the patient’s loved ones and the Almighty Creator in successfully achieving a sober and healthy life.
As time passes, the credibility and effectiveness of this model moves forward and it is now commonly adopted by many support groups. Overall, the 12 step recovery model served as an exceptional tool in hastening the development of the behavioral trait of rehab patients.
Here are some support groups that have sprung up from the AA support group:
- Gamblers Anonymous
- Narcotics Anonymous
- Methamphetamine Anonymous
- Heroin Anonymous
12 Step Recovery Model of Bill Wilson
The main goal of the 12 step recovery program amplifies the will, motivation, and determination of patients to recover from addiction and live a sober life. Below are the 12 tenets or principles underlying this famous recovery tool for patients under the influence of alcohol and substances.
1) Admitting powerlessness over Addiction
The first principle is for patients to accept their vulnerabilities against addiction. The influence or dependence on a substance and alcohol greatly deteriorates one’s capacity to think, empathize, socialize, and communicate properly.
2) Accepting a Power Greater than Oneself
Once the person admits his weakness over addiction, the second thing to internalize will be the presence of a greater external force that will help in one’s recovery.
By that, the external force can pertain to God or any outside support group that shall encourage the patient to pursue sobriety from substance use disorder.
3) Agreeing to turn life over to the higher power
Indeed, all people are entitled to take charge of the wheels of their life. However, in times of crisis and helplessness, one can always let go of the steering wheel and lay everything down to a higher authority or God.
It is in this phase that patients or members of the support group offer a prayer as a reminder of one’s limited capacity to fully control their life. Never be afraid to lean on a higher power for guidance, wisdom, and encouragement whenever one feels down and weary.
4) Taking a moral inventory of oneself
Every member of the group or any patient has inevitably experienced difficult situations in life which still haunt them. To relieve one’s anxiety and stress regarding these past events and their weaknesses, patients can write them down on a sheet of paper or notebook.
5) Admitting wrongdoing to God, oneself, and others
In this phase, all members or patients are encouraged to be open and honest with one another by sharing one’s experiences and vulnerabilities. Likewise, patients are also encouraged to offer a prayer to God to confess their sins and mistakes, and then ask forgiveness for them.
6) Being ready for the higher power to remove character defects
When one feels weary and down, that person can always lean on higher power or God to ease all burdens and negativity. The negative events in a patient’s life are like an anchor trying to pin him down. This principle is about letting go of this anchor and allowing the higher power to provide assistance and guidance in moving forward.
7) Asking God to remove Shortcomings
The patient or member is encouraged to meditate and do self-reflection on one’s weaknesses. Once acceptance of shortcomings is done, be humble to ask for guidance and strength from God so one can turn these weak spots into strengths.
8) Listing wrongs and becoming willing to make amends
All members of the group are required to make another list of the people who have wronged them and the people they have wronged for. The main goal of this phase is to allow all members to make amends with all disputes with other people.
9) Making amends when it is not harmful to do so
This entails being humble and willing to make peace with the people one has wronged. Make sure, however, that this action will not do more harm than good. The apology should come from the heart, and it should be genuine.
10) Seek daily accountability for their actions
This stage encourages members to move forward in living a sober and healthy life. Patients must be vigilant of the consequences of one’s actions toward others and themselves.
11) Prayer
Make consistent communication with God through prayers. He is a constant source of strength, hope, guidance, and encouragement through the sunny and rainy days of life.
12) Experiencing a spiritual awakening and spreading the word
It is always great to give back to others by talking to them, sharing one’s experiences, and helping them to recover from addiction and alcoholism.
Using the 12-Step Program In Addiction Recovery
Several lives have been changed for the better by religiously abiding by the 12 step recovery model. Medication alone cannot solely help any patient in sustaining one’s persistence in completing a specific treatment program.
Support groups, families, peers, and loved ones are vital ingredients for patients to achieve sobriety and freedom from substance abuse. Likewise, the 12 step model can be their resource in moving forward towards a better and healthier life.
