The 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a recovery approach which follows a set of guidelines designed to help members overcome addiction.
Recovery isn’t easy, but the 12-step recovery program gives you tools you can use whenever you need support. The fellowship has helped hundreds of thousands of people suffering from addiction. Since it was founded in the 1930s, it’s given way to other groups such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Cocaine Anonymous (CA), Gamblers Anonymous (GA), and Overeaters Anonymous (OA).
In this article, we’ll explore how the 12 Steps to Recovery work and dive into each step.
12 Steps to Recovery FAQs
What are the 12 Steps to Recovery?
- 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.
- 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 as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
How do the 12 Steps to Recovery work?
When visiting a fellowship meeting, it’s advised that you get yourself a sponsor who will take you through the 12 Steps of Recovery. A sponsor is someone who is also in recovery but has already worked through the steps. In addition to taking you through the steps, a sponsor is someone you can confide in when you don’t feel like sharing in meetings.
It’s advised that you attend meetings after you’ve completed a drug or alcohol detox. The program is based on complete abstinence, so it may be a good idea to look into drug and alcohol rehab before joining.
The 12 Steps to Recovery program explained
So what does each step of the program mean?
1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol, that our lives had become unmanageable.
Recovery can only begin once you’ve admitted you have a problem. The first step of AA requires you to surrender and admit that you are powerless over your addiction and it is now beyond your control.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
The second step is telling you that although you’ve lost control of your addiction, there is a solution if you trust that something bigger than yourself can help you.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
It’s important to remember that the 12-Step fellowship isn’t a religious organisation. Your higher power doesn’t have to be God. Each person’s interpretation of a higher power will be personal to them. The third step is about putting your ego aside and letting your higher power guide you.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Step four asks you to take an honest look at yourself and your behaviour while you were drinking or using drugs. Before you can begin to work on yourself and change your attitudes, you have to know what needs addressing.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
Many people are tormented by their wrongdoings and behaviour whilst in the throes of addiction. Allowing these feelings of guilt and shame to consume you can interfere with your recovery. Telling your sponsor can relieve you of this burden and allow you to focus on moving forward.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
This stage is where you let go of previously problematic behaviours that have been holding you back. This step is particularly difficult because these have been your only coping mechanism up until now. You may need to start over and come up with other ways to interact.
If you want to find out more about the 12-Step Recovery program, call us today. Our team will be happy to answer any questions you have.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
Once your moral inventory is complete you can finally begin to see yourself clearly. Step 7 is asking you to stay humble and acknowledge that you are not perfect. You must then ask your higher power to remove these character defects.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
Step 8 is all about acknowledging the part you have played in hurting others. This step also helps you deal with feelings of guilt and shame, both of which can drive a person back to drink and drugs. By confronting these feelings, you make it much easier to stay sober.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Step 9 requires you to make amends to those you have wronged. By doing so, you are taking responsibility for your actions and trying to repair damaged relationships.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
Taking personal inventory and being honest with yourself allows you to easily recognise problematic behaviours and triggers that could possibly lead to relapse.
11. 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.
In this context, prayer simply means talking to your Higher Power, admitting mistakes and asking for help as well as sharing gratitude.
12. 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.
The final step is all about paying it forward and helping others suffering from addiction to find recovery.
Get the addiction support you need
So there you have it, the 12 Steps to Recovery explained. Which Rehab has helped thousands of people find the right addiction treatment. Whether you’re looking for a drug detox in London or elsewhere in the UK, or you’re considering residential rehab, we can help.
If you’re new to recovery and wish to attend fellowship meetings, want to find out more about how they work, or need help finding your nearest meeting, get in touch with us today and our team will answer any questions you have.
