Addiction recovery is one of the most necessary forms of treatment in the world, but it’s often disregarded in the societies that need it most. Believe it or not, about 10% of Americans face substance use disorder (SUD) and only a handful of them will ever seek treatment.
Those who’ve suffered from drug abuse have more than likely heard of groups such as Narcotics Anonymous and their respective 12-Step Program.
However, few people actually understand what the 12-steps are, what they entail, and how they can be implemented when overcoming addiction. Getting familiar with these steps can provide individuals with the tools for success in recovery.
With so many treatment plans available, you can join a 12-step program as you see fit.
12-step programs have been around for a long time, and are still one of the key pillars of addiction recovery services. Essentially, the idea is that there are 12 steps to recovery that need to be taken before you can heal and maintain your abstinence from a substance.
With every type of addictive disorder, we tend to affect the ones we love, sometimes burn bridges, and cause damage to our own lives. 12-step programs seek to right these wrongs and establish a better life for yourself and those around you.
While programs differ in treatment, the purpose of 12-step programs is to help you rebuild broken relationships, heal, and build a more sustainable and sober life. “Rebuilding broken relationships” means with your loved ones, yourself, and your higher power.
Of course, there are no “12 steps” that can ever make somebody not addicted to a substance any longer. That’s simply not how addiction works. However, when these 12 steps are followed correctly, you will be in the best position possible to maintain abstinence throughout your life and repair the damage you have caused.
Narcotics Anonymous or NA is the sister program to Alcoholics Anonymous or AA. It was founded in 1953 to help individuals recover from narcotic addiction.
Since its inception, it has been expanded to welcome people with any kind of addiction including, heroin, cocaine, and prescription drugs. NA specializes in utilizing social support to overcome addiction and surrounding to a Higher Power, whatever that might mean to you.
Most 12-step programs fall into the category of outpatient treatment, meaning that you will still be living at home and seeking treatment within your normal schedule.
Of course, the most well-known 12-step program is AA, with over 2.1 million members. However, it’s far from the only program that uses the process.
Ideally, if you are in early recovery and you haven’t maintained sobriety for longer than a couple of weeks, we recommend inpatient treatment. Outpatient treatment, including 12-step programs, is excellent for maintaining abstinence, but early recovery is a very sensitive time.
Residential treatment offers everything that an intensive outpatient treatment plan offers with the added benefit of a controlled, around-the-clock, substance-free environment. Not only that, but you will also have 24/7 medical oversight during the earliest stages (detox) when you are most vulnerable and prone to complications.
When it comes to outpatient treatment, we always recommend 12-step programs after residential treatment. Primarily, this is because inpatient treatment offers the best results for early recovery, but there is still an average relapse rate of 40% to 60%, which could be sharply reduced with ongoing treatment plans like 12-step programs.
Let’s put it this way; have others successfully overcome their addictions without a 12-step program? Sure.
However, 12-step programs, when used appropriately, are a highly effective method for helping people overcome their addictions for the long term. When used with or without inpatient facilities, they are an excellent way to help people understand their wrongdoings, learn humility, and make conscious efforts to do better.
Now, that’s not to say that you can’t accomplish these goals any other way. Inpatient facilities don’t always use 12-step programs. You may follow up after your stay with therapy sessions and alternative meetings. If that works for you, that’s great.
Although, few programs have proven quite as effective as the traditional 12-step programs, and that’s for any type of addiction. Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and plenty of other groups use this process, and many groups have helped thousands upon thousands through their journey.
Let’s put it this way; have others successfully overcome their addictions without a 12-step program? Sure.
However, 12-step programs, when used appropriately, are a highly effective method for helping people overcome their addictions for the long term. When used with or without inpatient facilities, they are an excellent way to help people understand their wrongdoings, learn humility, and make conscious efforts to do better.
Now, that’s not to say that you can’t accomplish these goals any other way. Inpatient facilities don’t always use 12-step programs. You may follow up after your stay with therapy sessions and alternative meetings. If that works for you, that’s great.
Although, few programs have proven quite as effective as the traditional 12-step programs, and that’s for any type of addiction. Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and plenty of other groups use this process, and many groups have helped thousands upon thousands through their journey.
Addiction comes with many forms of denial, both to ourselves and those around us. The first (and arguably most important) step is to admit that the problem exists and that it needs to be addressed. Recovery begins by admitting you are powerless over a substance but that you wish to overcome it.
Denial is one of the most common symptoms of addiction to any substance, and it isn’t just outwardly.
For example, an alcoholic may get sick after drinking liquor excessively and eating some potato chips, and they may never eat potato chips again. Instead, they will believe that was what caused their illness. Consistent denial only leads to further harm.
The next step is to believe that a higher power can help guide us to sanity and recovery. For a higher power to work, we first have to believe in it.
You can interpret the terms “faith” and “higher power” however you want, as most 12-step programs are entirely non-denominational and often secular. Any form of spirituality or submission to a higher power is accepted in these programs.
Next, we surrender ourselves to the higher power. We recognize that we alone cannot overcome our struggles and therefore surrender to a higher power who can help us along the way.
Now, this is one of the most challenging steps on the list, but it’s an important part of recovery. The person recovering must look within and determine how their behavior has affected both themselves and those around them.
Once you have determined your wrongdoings, you must admit them before your higher power as well as another person. This could be a close loved one or your sponsor, and you should view it as an opportunity for personal growth. Consequently, this is a step that must last throughout your entire journey and after.
If you can’t tell by now, spirituality and addiction recovery go hand-in-hand, as faith helps so many people along their journey.
Consequently, the next step is to learn to accept your character defects as they are and become willing to let go of them. You can allow your higher power to remove them and make the conscious decision to improve.
You must learn to understand that you cannot do everything yourself. During this step, you will ask your higher power to help you through this journey and remove your shortcomings.
Next, you must be willing to right your wrongs. Start by writing a list of those you have harmed with your behavior before starting your journey.
For step 9, you have to reach out and try to make amends with those closest to you. While this isn’t the easiest step, you need to learn to forgive and hopefully receive the forgiveness of others before healing can begin.
However, there is also a need to identify toxic relationships that only worsen your condition and remove them from your life. When seeking to repair broken relationships, it’s important to reflect and understand which ones are mutually beneficial and which are mutually destructive.
Step 10 needs to be learned and become a concrete habit, rather than something you just do once. Throughout the rest of our journey and our lives, we need to be willing to admit when we are wrong and continuously take personal inventory of our actions.
Next, we need to make contact with our higher power. We need to learn the plan they have for us and our lives and accept it.
Finally, the person recovering must commit themselves to pass these messages on to others throughout their lives as an act of service. This is an ongoing process that will benefit you and make you whole just as much as it will for anyone else.
If that seems unsatisfying, it’s important to remember that no recovery plan in the world doesn’t require a lifelong commitment. Addiction recovery is not a “one and done”, but rather an ongoing process that we carry through our lives. Service just happens to be an excellent ongoing reminder for those maintaining their abstinence.
Nobody wants to see their loved ones suffer. If you’re reading this out of concern for a loved one, then good for you! They need you more than ever.
When a loved one is abusing a substance for too long and you’re concerned for their wellbeing, it’s time to intervene. However, interventions are very sensitive matters that require proper care and finesse.
First, you want to learn about 12-step programs, which we’ve now discussed. Once you know how they work, you can understand if they are the right fit for your loved one.
From there, look for treatment options in your area. If your loved one has not been sober for long (or at all), then we highly recommend inpatient treatment services. Although, any treatment is better than no treatment, so have backups prepared.
Next, you want to invite people who will be productive in the situation. Only those who have your loved one’s best interest at heart and who won’t cause unnecessary tension should be invited. If you don’t think anybody fits that bill, then a one-on-one conversation is better.
Finally, you want to find the right time but the sooner, the better. Talk to them openly and discuss how you feel. Don’t berate them, guilt them, or belittle their feelings.
Instead, try to be understanding and supportive, and encourage them to seek help. If they agree, then offer them the treatment options and try to aim for inpatient rehab. Verify their insurance first to prevent any issues.
Although, they may not be interested in seeking treatment yet, and they may even walk out of the room or express frustration over the situation. In that case, let them go. You will only make the situation worse by badgering them, but you have already put the idea in their head, so they may come around.
If you’re suffering from substance use disorder (SUD), then you have plenty of treatment plans available to you, and any one of them is better than none. However, for the highest chances of success, some treatment options are better than others.
As we mentioned, if you believe you would benefit most from residential treatment, 12-step programs are commonly used in rehab facilities. If you think a 12-step program is right for you, reach out to a prospective rehab center to learn more about what they offer.
Although, you may prefer an outpatient treatment plan, especially if you’ve been sober for a while or have already attended a rehab facility. In that case, look for an outpatient program along with therapy or medical services as needed. Talk to your doctor or therapist to determine the best path for you.
Now that you know what a 12-step program is and what it can do for you, know that treatment is always available to those in need. The longer you continue without treatment, the more you put yourself in danger. Stay up to date with our latest recovery news and feel free to contact us with any questions!