The 12 Steps is a spiritual solution that outlines a spiritual process of resignation to the ego to the unconscious, or greater power, and looks at the procedure of change in Jungian treatment. 12 step programs are non-religious.
What are the 12 steps of recovery? The 12 steps are a process. These steps are skilled all at once and in a circular way. The same procedure is used when recovering from addiction to a substance such as alcohol, drugs, food, or an obsession, such as gambling, spending, or caretaking, the goal is to focus on alcohol and drug addiction and is relative in a codependent relationship with the alcoholic or addict.
Dealing with the Problem
The start of recovery is acknowledging that there is an issue with drugs or alcohol, and that there is help outside oneself, and the determination to use it. This represents the beginning of trust on something beyond oneself (such as a therapist, sponsor, or program), and the opening of a closed household system. Usually, it takes years to face the issue.
With growing understanding of the issue, rejection even more defrosts. In Step 1, the addict starts to understand that she or he is helpless over the drugs or alcohol, and the codependent starts to realize that she or he can’t control the substance abuser. Slowly, attention begins to move from the substance, and towards the codependent, the substance abuser, to concentrate on oneself.
There are much deeper levels of working with the First Step. The very first phase of coming out of denial is to realize that there is a problem. Next, understand that this is a dangerous life-threatening issue over which one is helpless. Lastly, that in fact the issue depends on one's own mindsets and habits.
Surrender
The recommendation of powerlessness leaves a space, which previously was filled with psychological exercise aiming to manage and control the addiction or the addict. Sensations of anger, loss, emptiness, boredom, anxiety, and fear develop. The emptiness that was masked by the addiction is now exposed. It is a remarkable awareness when you acknowledge that you or your loved one has a lethal addiction over which you are helpless, subject just to an everyday reprieve. Now, with a degree of trust, one gets determination to rely on a power beyond oneself. This is Step 2, which is coming to think that a Power higher than ourselves might restore us to peace of mind."
Self-Awareness
What has been taking place up until now is a broadening awareness and observation of one's wasteful habits and addiction. This is described as "insanity" as in Step 2. This essential advancement symbolizes the genesis of an observing ego. Now one starts to work out some restraint over addicting and unfavorable practices, words, and deeds. The Program works behaviorally in addition to spiritually.
Abstaining and forbearance from old habits are accompanied by stress and anxiety, anger and a sense of loss of control. New, more suitable mindsets and habits (frequently called "contrary action") feel unpleasant, and excite other feelings, consisting of worry and regret.
12 Step Statistics
Many wonder how effective 12 step programs are; sadly, the nature is not just addiction and regression, however the nature of the programs themselves is confidential, non-organizational and to avoid completely precise and trusted figures.
Critics of the 12-step program like Stanton Peele typically describe a success rate that peaks at 5%, a figure typically refuted by companies such as AA.
A popular post from 1941 mentioned AA co-founder Bill Wilson as declaring its program delighted in a 50% success rate instantly, and another 25% success rate after a relapse or two. The figures were duplicated 3 years later in a piece released in The American Journal of Psychiatry. These articles and success rates have been mentioned many times for many years by both fans of 12 step programs as a sign of their success and critics of the program, as a sign of their falsified information.
Amongst the most current evaluations of the rates of success or failure originates from AA, entitled, "Alcoholics Anonymous Recovery Outcome Rates: Contemporary Myth and Misinterpretation" launched on January 1, 2008. Its intro states, "This paper is composed for AA members and is planned for internal and public blood circulation as a product of AA historic and archival research study. It is provided to help notify the AA subscription and scholastic scientists of an extensively distributed misconception and mischaracterization of AA recovery results" and it uses the following stats for AA:
- Of those in their very first month of AA conferences, 26% will still be going at the end of that year.
- Of those in their 4th month of AA conference participation (i.e. have remained beyond 90-days) 56% will still be going to AA at the end of that year.
- The 2004 Survey revealed an increase in the length of sobriety over the 2001 Survey
- According to the 2004 Survey, long-lasting AA sobriety was so common that "Greater Than Five Years" series of previous studies were partitioned into 5-10 Years (14%) greater in 10 Years (36%) greater in 5 Years which is 50%.
- For development of AA sobriety ranges, the 1983 Survey revealed 25% of AA members sober over 5 years and the 2004 Survey revealed 50% of AA members sober over 5 years.
- For development of AA sobriety averages, the 1983 Survey discovered the typical AA member was sober for 4 years and the 2004 Survey discovered the typical AA member was sober for more than 8 years.
Considering that these numbers were created by AA, it is just sensible to take them with a grain of salt. All informed, pin down accurate numbers on the success rates of 12 step programs is difficult, and usually a really prejudiced business.
Quick 12 step Facts
The 12-step program is typically used in treatment for addiction to various substances, as well as behavior. There are several kinds of 12 step programs, and the majority of them are based upon similar actions. While 12 step programs can be very valuable to those who need them in order to overcome their dependencies, the majority of people do not know much about the 12-step program.
If you are thinking about addiction treatment on your own or a friend or loved one is, considering the possibility of making use of a 12-step program can be beneficial.
Where Did the 12 Step Program Originate?
Inning accordance with DMHS, "Alcoholics Anonymous and the 12 actions started in June of 1935, throughout the Great Depression." A male called Bill Wilson was detoxing in a drug rehab center in Manhattan and "established the company after finding his Higher Power." Wilson "had no official medical or psychology training and with this being said, the 12 steps were developed by integrating concepts from approach and religious beliefs."
What Principles are the 12 Step Programs Based on?
The 12-step program is based upon the principles of:
- Admitting that a person is not in control of one's addiction.
- Recognizing that a Higher Power can help and "bring back one’s sanity" (NCBI).
- Asking for forgiveness and confessing fault.
- Making a list of those who were hurt by one's addiction.
-" Having a spiritual awakening" that enables one to alter one's life and stop addicting and troublesome behavior.
The DMHS and the NCBI sites both note the complete 12 actions as they appear most recently in the handbooks offered to people in these programs.
What is the Original 12 Step Treatment?
Initially, the 12-step treatment was developed to help alcoholics, however in time, it has actually been customized to help drug abusers, addicts of specific habits, and others. According to DMHS, "Roughly 20% of twelve-step programs help those fighting with addiction. The other 80% handle a range of concerns from psychological health to financial obligation.".
What are the 12 Traditions?
The 12 traditions are used along with the 12 steps in order to make the objectives of the program clearer. The majority of 12 step programs have embraced some kind of 12 traditions too. These traditions speak on the problems of privacy, self-support, autonomy, and authority. The 12 traditions that help strengthen the mentors associated with the 12-step program as well, describe to those not yet in the program about how it works. They resemble a set of guidelines that govern the 12-step procedure and create a better balanced program.
Does the 12 Step Program Need to Be Religious?
Yes. In many circumstances, these programs which are based upon the 12 steps and the 12 traditions bring the concept of a God or Higher Power in order to deal with people with dependencies. While this can be practical to some, it might not be as useful to others.
Are there similar Programs which are Not Religious in Nature?
Yes, there are 12 step programs that’s are non-religious. For instance, Secular Organizations for Sobriety (or SOS) is exceptionally helpful to those who do not want to participate in treatment with a religious-based program, however still like the concept of a mutual-help group program. There are other kinds of non-12 step alternatives. These programs are for various dependencies that are not based upon the spiritual, 12 step procedure, and these are different from 12 step programs.
Exactly what is one of the most Popular 12 Step Program?
AA, or Alcoholics Anonymous, is the biggest and most popular 12 step program. "The next biggest group is Narcotics Anonymous (NA)" (DMHS). According to the NIAAA, "Although AA has the biggest following, groups dealing with populations with various demographics choices (e.g., ladies and more youthful individuals) can be discovered." Not all of these programs are 12 step programs, however they are mutual-help groups.
What is a Mutual-help Group (MHG)?
" MHGs are groups of 2 or more individuals who share an issue and consolidate to provide problem-specific help and help one another." While not all MHGs are 12 step-based, the majority of 12 step programs are mutual-help groups. The power of the groups mindset along with the advantage of having a sponsor or another individual has actually been sober for a longer time is appreciated and exceptionally valuable to addicts.
What are the Common 12 Step Groups?
While AA and NA have currently been discussed, there are many other popular 12 step groups that assist and deal with various conditions or dependencies. A few of these are:
- Women for Sobriety
- Women's Way through the 12-Steps
- Men's Way through the 12-Steps
- Cocaine Anonymous (CA).
- Overeaters Anonymous (OA).
- Gamblers Anonymous (GA).
- Emotions Anonymous (EA).
- Online Gamers Anonymous (OGA).
- Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA).
- Sexaholics Anonymous (SA).
Are 12 Step Programs Expensive?
Typically, not many 12 step programs and conferences are totally free to people who require help which can be very useful to those with dependencies. In most cases, addicts invest their money on their addiction to the point where they experience severe financial issues. A treatment program like this one can be extremely handy for those who might not have the ability to manage treatment.
Is a 12 Step Program Right for Me?
Everyone is different and the same treatment won’t work for every individual. What might work for one person, may not work for another. If you are an addict or are thinking about signing up with a 12-step program, consider your needs and whether this kind of program will fulfill them.
After you choose if a 12-step program might be right for you, go to a couple of meetings. If you do not feel that your needs are being satisfied by the program, think about various kind of treatment. Nevertheless, if it is the best treatment, it will feel right, comfortable, and reliable.
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