Research has shown that people trying to quit have better results if they participate in a mutual support or self-help group in their recovery program. The average length of time it takes for someone to work through the 12 steps varies. Many 12-Step sponsors encourage sponsees and newcomers in AA and other 12-Step programs to attend 90 meetings in 90 days, or at least one meeting a day for three months. The basic premise of the 12-Step model is that people can help one another achieve and maintain abstinence from the substances to which they are addicted. They can do this through meetings in which they share their experiences with one another and support each other in the ongoing effort of maintaining abstinence. While participating in the 12 steps of recovery can be beneficial for many people, consider the advantages and disadvantages of these programs before you decide if this approach is right for you.

Medications may reduce cravings, reduce the effects of drugs and alcohol, or simply make you sick if you try to drink. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) originated the idea for the 12-Step model in 1938, when founder Bill Wilson wrote out the ideas that he had been developing through his experience with alcohol use. He wrote about the positive effects experienced when people struggling with alcohol use disorder shared their stories with one another. The organization lists several online and in-person meetings available in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. It also has a Facebook group and the related group Women for Sobriety, which is based on the S.O.S. principles. While the 12 steps in use today are based on the same ideas written by the founders of AA in the 1930s, the understanding of the term “God” has since broadened to refer to any “higher power” that a person believes in.

Research indicates that research-based treatment programs that are customized to an individual’s needs are the most effective. Contact your primary care physician, mental healthcare professional, or yellow eyes alcohol an addiction care specialist to find the treatment modality and level of care best suited for you and your needs. Call AAC at to speak to a knowledgeable and compassionate admissions navigator, who will listen to you, answer your questions, explain your treatment options, and help you begin your path to recovery. Rather than emphasizing powerlessness and embracing a higher power, the SMART Recovery approach emphasizes viewing substance use as a habit that people can learn to control. It draws on aspects of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and helps members to build motivation, cope with cravings, change addictive thoughts, and adopt healthy habits. The 12-step program aims to help people attain abstinence from substance use disorders or make a behavioral change through peer support.

Sponsorship

Let’s examine these 12-step programs more closely, including the individual steps and the traditions that help guide them. We’ll also explore their effectiveness, the pros and cons you should consider, and how to make them work as part of a treatment plan. If you are unsure what level of group activities for addiction recovery care you need, talk with your doctor or mental healthcare practitioner about treatment options and what type of treatment could best support your health and long-term recovery.

1. There are also free alcohol abuse and drug addiction hotline numbers you can call.
2. A small, older 2008 study looked at the effectiveness of peer support groups in addiction recovery.
3. AA can be a helpful program for many people who are trying to quit alcohol and other substances, but it is not the only option.
4. They are the directions meant to provide members a path to lasting sobriety and a substance-free lifestyle.
5. Later in the 20th century, other programs followed, and the founders modeled them after AA.

The History of the 12 Steps of AA

One is that some people might not feel comfortable with religion or spirituality. Rather than accepting the concept of powerlessness and surrendering to a higher power, they might prefer the idea of taking action and responsibility themselves. Another possible downside is the lack of trained professionals leading the groups. People typically use the programs as an add-on to treatment or as a form of continuing support following treatment. Usually, there is no counseling or other treatment, spiritual or otherwise, involved in the detoxification aa powerlessness phase of recovery.

Health Conditions

Thanks to AA and other substance recovery programs, you’ve probably at least heard of the Twelve Steps even if you aren’t quite sure how they work. They are not abstract theories; they are based on the trial-and-error experience of early members of A.A. They describe the attitudes and activities that these early members believe were important in helping them to achieve sobriety. Experience suggests, however, that members who make an earnest effort to follow these Steps and to apply them in daily living seem to get far more out of A.A. It has been said that it is virtually impossible to follow all the Steps literally, day in and day out.

Many addiction treatment programs offer alternatives to 12-Step methodology for those who prefer a more secular foundation for treatment. While 12-step recovery programs can be helpful, they are not always the best choice for everyone. They are an affordable, available, and convenient resource while people are recovering from substance use, but their emphasis on admitting powerlessness and leaning on a higher power can be a problem for some individuals.

This intervention provides a supportive social network and fosters bonding among group members, which adds to the benefits. Members often run the groups without the involvement of healthcare professionals. AA can be a helpful program for many people who are trying to quit alcohol and other substances, but it is not the only option. If you would prefer a non-religious alternative to AA, you might consider detoxification, residential treatment, medications, and non-spiritual support groups. Whether you are religious or not, incorporating a multifaceted approach to recovery may help improve your changes for achieving long-term sobriety. Just as the 12 steps outline the path to recovery for individuals struggling with addiction, there are also 12 Traditions that are the spiritual principles behind the 12 steps.

For many people, these groups may serve as their primary resource for changing their behavior, but they also often augment formal treatment. Twelve-Step programs are free, readily available support groups that are open to anyone who has a desire to stop their substance misuse. Some 12-Step groups cater to specific populations like women, men, LGBTQ+ and family members. Each group is specific to the substance or behavior a person wants to change (e.g., alcohol, gambling, overeating).