The
12 step programme
has been helping alcoholics and addicts to recover for over
75 years. Very much an experiential
programme, Steps 1 through to 12 of the programme are
designed to bring about total
acceptance of the illness, then offer a permanent
solution to alcoholism and addiction. The
programme is spiritual not religious – that is to say that
recovery is built on spiritual principles such as honesty,
open-mindedness and willingness. It also requires the
individual to take responsibility for themselves through a
commitment to taking action to overcome their alcoholism or
addiction on a daily basis.
The 12 step programme is often
described as an ego-reduction programme, with individuals
being encouraged to look at their part in life situations,
rather than investing time in blaming other people for
example. Once the individual realises that they must look
primarily at their own behaviour, they start to discover
new skills and resources for dealing with life’s
problems. They realise they have choices which were not
apparent to them before, due to the chaos of drinking and
using drugs.
The programme provides a safe
structure for individuals to process potentially
destructive emotions such as fear,
resentment, false pride, anger, as well as manage emotions
such as happiness and excitement which can present their own
challenges.
Here is a quick breakdown of what each step is about…
Step
1: Taking an honest look at the past to break
denial around the illness, in order to gain full
acceptance that drinking or using is no longer an option.
Step
2: Believing that there is a solution and it relies
upon asking for help from others in a healthy way.
Step
3: Deciding to commit to a new way of life, with
trust and acceptance as the basis for that new life.
Step
4: Looking thoroughly and honestly at resentments
and harms done in the past through addiction and
alcoholism.
Step
5: Telling another person about all the resentments
and harms that have been done.
Step
6: Confronting personality traits which have
contributed to alcoholism and addiction.
Step
7: Committing to changing these personality traits.
Step
8: Making a full and honest list of harms done to
others and becoming willing to make up for past behaviour.
Step
9: Making amends to people we have harmed unless to
do so would cause further harm.
Step
10: Keeping track of our emotions and behaviour on
a daily basis with a written appraisal of our day.
Step
11: Developing skills to quieten the mind and allow
intuitive thoughts to come in.
Step
12: Having recovered from active addiction /
alcoholism, helping others to do the same.
