The 12 Step model is one of the most well-known recovery support programs. It is commonly used in meetings around the country where people strive to remain sober. They also realize that working the 12 steps adds meaning to their commitment.
This program gained its popularity with alcohol addiction support groups. It continues to work for other support groups that adapt the steps to their area of addiction. The focus of each step is heavily religious, but also resonates with nonreligious people.
What Are the 12 Steps?
A basic premise of the 12 step recovery program is for people in the group to help one another. They support each other’s goals to achieve and maintain a life free from addiction. Of course, working the 12 steps represents improvement towards these goals.
Step 1: Honesty. A person admits that they are powerless over an addiction so true recovery can begin.
Step 2: Faith. The person believes that a power greater than themselves can help them achieve sobriety.
Step 3: Surrender. They decide to let go of a lifetime of self-will and give control to the higher power.
Step 4: Soul Searching. A person begins to take a personal inventory of their life choices.
Step 5: Integrity. Admission of wrongdoing to oneself, the higher power, and to others.
Step 6: Acceptance. The person accepts their imperfections and welcomes help from the higher power to make corrections.
Step 7: Humility. This involves asking the higher power to do what they cannot do with determination or self-will.
Step 8: Willingness. A person begins making amends to those harmed by their addiction.
Step 9: Forgiveness. The person reaches out to the people they harmed in the past.
Step 10: Maintenance. Personal inventory continues during this step along with the admission of wrongdoing.
Step 11: Enlightenment. Connection with the higher power through prayer and medication to discover their purpose.
Step 12: Service. A spiritual awakening occurs to carry the message of these principles in every area of their life.
Benefits of the 12 Steps
A person can get the most out of working the 12 steps in ways such as:
- Overcoming a sense of powerlessness and unmanageability
- Identifying a higher power that teaches the value of surrendering
- Learning to understand and love oneself
- Seeking and giving forgiveness towards oneself and others
- Offering a journey towards personal development for a more fulfilling life
Expectations for Working the 12 Steps
This part of addiction treatment is not a race and there is no rush in getting from step 1 to step 12. Furthermore, step work happens in its own time. In fact, a person may return to a particular step long after finishing it. The important thing, of course, is to let the steps mold into the person’s everyday life.
Begin the 12 Step Process to Healing
Crestview Recovery offers a 12 Step program to help you find healing, serenity, and freedom from addiction. Our treatment services include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Life skills rehab
- Mindfulness meditation therapy
- Trauma therapy
Finally, find what you need today to overcome substance use. Our addiction specialists are available at 866.262.0531 to help you experience true recovery.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
