If you have heard of the 12 step program, you’re not alone. The 12 step program and its concept have been around for almost seventy years now. In addition, there are some famous treatment programs that utilize the 12 step program or a variation of it. However, each treatment center is different, and each has its unique way of incorporating the program into its alcohol, drug, and substance treatment programs.
In the following article, we’ll look at the 12 step approach to recovery and how it works. But, if you or a loved one is dealing with addiction, you don’t have to do it alone. Taylor Recovery is a peaceful and intimate drug and alcohol rehabilitation center located in the heart of Houston, Texas. At Taylor Recovery, we offer great programs that are sought after and customizable depending on your needs.
What Is the 12 Step Approach to Recovery?
The 12 step approach to recovery was initially created and developed by the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous to help people recover from alcohol addiction. However, variations of the program have been successfully used worldwide to treat various drug and substance addictions.
The original 12 step program has never deviated from its scope, focus, or wording since its inception. The 12 steps go as follows below:
- Step 1: Admitting we are powerless over alcohol—that our lives have become unmanageable.
- Step 2: Coming to believe that a Power higher than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
- Step 3: Making a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
- Step 4: Making a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
- Step 5: Admitting to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
- Step 6: Being entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
- Step 7: Humbly asking Him to remove our shortcomings.
- Step 8: Making a list of all persons, we have harmed and be willing to make amends to them all.
- Step 9: Making direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
- Step 10: Continuing to take personal inventory, and when we are wrong, promptly admitting it.
- Step 11: Seeking 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.
- Step 12: Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we try to carry this message to others who struggle with addiction. Furthermore, we strive to practice these principles in all our affairs.
Does the 12 Step Approach Work?
Evidence about the success of the 12 step approach to dealing with addiction is anecdotal, with various experts falling on both sides of the argument. However, hundreds of thousands of former addicts worldwide would swear that it worked for them and continues to do so.
For something to have been successfully used for over 70 years, it must be doing something right. Therefore, many treatments and detox centers incorporate parts or different versions of the 12 step program into their rehabilitation treatments.
The Best 12 Step Program Treatment Center in Houston – Conclusion
There you go! Everything that you wanted to know about the history of the 12 step program, including how it works and what’s involved. If you have any additional questions about how you start a 12 step program, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Taylor Recovery is a peaceful and intimate drug and alcohol rehabilitation center located in the heart of Houston, Texas. At Taylor Recovery, we offer great programs that are sought after and customizable depending on your needs.
If you would like to learn more about us or the premium recovery services that we offer at Taylor Recovery, then please don’t hesitate to reach out and contact us directly. Our friendly and professional team is standing by to assist you with any recovery inquiries you may have.