How 12 Step Programs Can Support Your Recovery Journey

12 Steps For Addiction Treatment

The 12 steps for addiction treatment: Have you heard about it? There are very few people who haven’t heard of the 12 steps, though not all may know what it is about, how it works and how many millions of people, across the world, owe their life to its philosophy and teachings.

While the model has been around for nearly 100 years, it has spread throughout the world and there are meetings in nearly every country in the world: in person and on-line.

 Here at Find Me A Rehab you can talk to a an experienced addictions clinician on any aspects of addiction ,treatment, rehab and detox.

We can help you to get into Alcohol Addiction Recovery UK. Call for 24 hour rehab advice for help with alcohol addiction.

   At its core, the 12 steps are centred around the concept that addiction affects people in  three ways:  

• Physically 

• Spiritually  

• Mentally  

Here at Find Me A Rehab you can talk to a an experienced addictions clinician on any aspects of addiction ,treatment, rehab and detox.

We can help you to get into Alcohol Addiction Recovery UK. Call for 24 hour rehab advice for help with alcohol addiction.

12 Steps For Addiction Treatment

   At its core, the 12 steps are centred around the concept that addiction affects people in  three ways:  

• Physically 

• Spiritually  

• Mentally  

What are the individual steps and how do they work?  

• Acceptance: The initial phase is to take ownership that you are in addiction; by doing so you regain control over it.  

• Trust: Putting your trust in a higher power provides hope for recovery. This does not need to be a religious power, it can be anything that is important to you.  

• Liberation: By engaging with your higher power and actively living in the way your power wants you to live can put you on a trajectory of recovery 

• Understanding: This is the time to go through past actions and behaviors and examine why you thought and acted in that way and your moral standpoint at the time.  

• Acknowledgement: At this point, the person takes ownership of past mistakes and shares them in the safety of the group. This can be a difficult element of the 12 steps but can really help to take the person into a different realm, to establish lifelong connections with peers also in addiction and working towards sobriety and abstinence. It is also here where the person begins to understand that they are not imperfect.  

• Freedom: Now that the person has accepted that no one is perfect, that they have made mistakes and have a new direction they can abandon harmful and damaging behaviors which have held them back.  

• Growth: With a new zest for life, this stage centres around being grounded and strengthening connection with your higher power as you continue to take guidance.  

• Reflection: Being in addiction usually means others have been affected on the way. Here you will learn to look at this and stop avoiding reaching out to people who have been hurt and making amends.  

• Forgiveness: If it doesn’t cause someone more problems, this is where you reach out to someone you have hurt while in addiction and seek forgiveness 

• Continuity: As you grow, in your new life of abstinence and sobriety it is important to check your behaviors and thoughts and how they impact.  

• Connection: This is about looking for insight from your chosen power source. It could be through keeping a journal, meditation, etc. 

• Helping others: The 12 steps is a continuum. Now that you have come full circle, it is time to introduce others to the program.  

12 Steps For Addiction Treatment

What are the benefits of the 12-step process?  

There are numerous benefits for those who immerse themselves into a 12-step program, including:  

• A structured network of others in recovery 

• A sense of accountability 

• Non-judgmental ethos that promotes honesty 

• Personal and spiritual growth 

• Flexible across a wide range of addictions, not just alcohol 

• Planned approach to recovery along an established trajectory 

What challenges can people face in a 12-step program?  

The 12 steps are centred around a higher power which can be challenging to some. It is not a religious based philosophy but there is a lot of misconception around this. 

Making an inventory of past mistakes and damaging behaviours can be very challenging and emotionally draining, but the result can be life changing.  

Being in a group may be a new experience for some and, at first, might be a little overwhelming. However, the power of the group can be transformative.  

Resilience: Staying committed to recovery is a lifelong commitment. Attending meetings, post treatment in a rehab centre will take time out from other commitments but has been shown to be a vital component in staying sober.  

 attending meetings regularly can help maintain motivation and build a strong foundation for lasting recovery. 

12 Steps For Addiction Treatment

Does it work?  

That depends solely on the individual and how willing they are to take the messages on board and commit to the process. Simply going to meetings, nodding and smiling won’t work. Those who are open minded, determined and ready to do the work necessary to progress through the steps are the ones who are most likely to stay sober and abstinent.  

Nearly all rehab centres, across the world, use the 12 steps, either as a standalone process or within an eclectic process.  

   At its core, the 12 steps are centered around the concept that addiction affects people in  three ways:  

• Physically 

• Spiritually  

• Mentally  

What are the individual steps and how do they work?  

• Acceptance: The initial phase is to take ownership that you are in addiction; by doing so you regain control over it.  

• Trust: Putting your trust in a higher power provides hope for recovery. This does not need to be a religious power, it can be anything that is important to you.  

• Liberation: By engaging with your higher power and actively living in the way your power wants you to live can put you on a trajectory of recovery 

• Understanding: This is the time to go through past actions and behaviors and examine why you thought and acted in that way and your moral standpoint at the time.  

• Acknowledgement: At this point, the person takes ownership of past mistakes and shares them in the safety of the group. This can be a difficult element of the 12 steps but can really help to take the person into a different realm, to establish lifelong connections with peers also in addiction and working towards sobriety and abstinence. It is also here where the person begins to understand that they are not imperfect.  

• Freedom: Now that the person has accepted that no one is perfect, that they have made mistakes and have a new direction they can abandon harmful and damaging behaviors which have held them back.  

• Growth: With a new zest for life, this stage centres around being grounded and strengthening connection with your higher power as you continue to take guidance.  

• Reflection: Being in addiction usually means others have been affected on the way. Here you will learn to look at this and stop avoiding reaching out to people who have been hurt and making amends.  

• Forgiveness: If it doesn’t cause someone more problems, this is where you reach out to someone you have hurt while in addiction and seek forgiveness 

• Continuity: As you grow, in your new life of abstinence and sobriety it is important to check your behaviors and thoughts and how they impact.  

• Connection: This is about looking for insight from your chosen power source. It could be through keeping a journal, meditation, etc. 

• Helping others: The 12 steps is a continuum. Now that you have come full circle, it is time to introduce others to the program.  

What are the benefits of the 12-step process?  

There are numerous benefits for those who immerse themselves into a 12-step program, including:  

• A structured network of others in recovery 

• A sense of accountability 

• Non-judgmental ethos that promotes honesty 

• Personal and spiritual growth 

• Flexible across a wide range of addictions, not just alcohol 

• Planned approach to recovery along an established trajectory 

What challenges can people face in a 12-step program?  

The 12 steps are centred around a higher power which can be challenging to some. It is not a religious based philosophy but there is a lot of misconception around this. 

Making an inventory of past mistakes and damaging behaviours can be very challenging and emotionally draining, but the result can be life changing.  

Being in a group may be a new experience for some and, at first, might be a little overwhelming. However, the power of the group can be transformative.  

Resilience: Staying committed to recovery is a lifelong commitment. Attending meetings, post treatment in a rehab center will take time out from other commitments but has been shown to be a vital component in staying sober.  

 attending meetings regularly can help maintain motivation and build a strong foundation for lasting recovery. 

Does it work?  

That depends solely on the individual and how willing they are to take the messages on board and commit to the process. Simply going to meetings, nodding and smiling won’t work. Those who are open minded, determined and ready to do the work necessary to progress through the steps are the ones who are most likely to stay sober and abstinent.  

Nearly all rehab centres, across the world, use the 12 steps, either as a standalone process or within an eclectic process.  

Group leaders, within rehab centres, are trained and experienced in the 12 steps and many have, themselves, been in recovery for many years. Indeed, it is not uncommon for former clients at rehab centres to retrain as a therapist and come back as staff to lead groups.  

What are the individual steps and how do they work?  

• Acceptance: The initial phase is to take ownership that you are in addiction; by doing so you regain control over it.  

• Trust: Putting your trust in a higher power provides hope for recovery. This does not need to be a religious power, it can be anything that is important to you.  

• Liberation: By engaging with your higher power and actively living in the way your power wants you to live can put you on a trajectory of recovery 

• Understanding: This is the time to go through past actions and behaviors and examine why you thought and acted in that way and your moral standpoint at the time.  

• Acknowledgement: At this point, the person takes ownership of past mistakes and shares them in the safety of the group. This can be a difficult element of the 12 steps but can really help to take the person into a different realm, to establish lifelong connections with peers also in addiction and working towards sobriety and abstinence. It is also here where the person begins to understand that they are not imperfect.  

• Freedom: Now that the person has accepted that no one is perfect, that they have made mistakes and have a new direction they can abandon harmful and damaging behaviors which have held them back.  

• Growth: With a new zest for life, this stage centres around being grounded and strengthening connection with your higher power as you continue to take guidance.  

• Reflection: Being in addiction usually means others have been affected on the way. Here you will learn to look at this and stop avoiding reaching out to people who have been hurt and making amends.  

• Forgiveness: If it doesn’t cause someone more problems, this is where you reach out to someone you have hurt while in addiction and seek forgiveness 

• Continuity: As you grow, in your new life of abstinence and sobriety it is important to check your behaviours and thoughts and how they impact.  

• Connection: This is about looking for insight from your chosen power source. It could be through keeping a journal, meditation, etc. 

• Helping others: The 12 steps is a continuum. Now that you have come full circle, it is time to introduce others to the program.  

What are the benefits of the 12-step process?  

There are numerous benefits for those who immerse themselves into a 12-step program, including:  

• A structured network of others in recovery 

• A sense of accountability 

• Non-judgmental ethos that promotes honesty 

• Personal and spiritual growth 

• Flexible across a wide range of addictions, not just alcohol 

• Planned approach to recovery along an established trajectory

12 Steps For Addiction Treatment

What challenges can people face in a 12-step program?

The 12 steps are centred around a higher power which can be challenging to some. It is not a religious based philosophy but there is a lot of misconception around this. 

Making an inventory of past mistakes and damaging behaviours can be very challenging and emotionally draining, but the result can be life changing.  

Being in a group may be a new experience for some and, at first, might be a little overwhelming. However, the power of the group can be transformative.  

Resilience: Staying committed to recovery is a lifelong commitment. Attending meetings, post treatment in a rehab centre will take time out from other commitments but has been shown to be a vital component in staying sober.  

 attending meetings regularly can help maintain motivation and build a strong foundation for lasting recovery. 

Does it work?  

That depends solely on the individual and how willing they are to take the messages on board and commit to the process. Simply going to meetings, nodding and smiling won’t work. Those who are open minded, determined and ready to do the work necessary to progress through the steps are the ones who are most likely to stay sober and abstinent.  

12 Steps For Addiction Treatment

Nearly all rehab centres, across the world, use the 12 steps, either as a standalone process or within an eclectic process.  

Group leaders, within rehab centres, are trained and experienced in the 12 steps and many have, themselves, been in recovery for many years. Indeed, it is not uncommon for former clients at rehab centres to retrain as a therapist and come back as staff to lead groups.  

Here at Find Me A Rehab you can talk to a an experienced addictions clinician on any aspects of addiction ,treatment, rehab and detox. We can help you to get into Alcohol Addiction Recovery UK. Call for 24 hour rehab advice for help with alcohol addiction.

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