The 12-Step Treatment
Alcoholics Anonymous:
The 12-Step Treatment
The 12-step program used by Alcoholics Anonymous is a well-known treatment method that’s used for many types of addiction, not just alcohol. Alcoholics are encouraged to “work” the 12-steps. The first step involves admitting the powerlessness over alcohol. The second step has the alcoholic believe that there is some type of a greater power working that will help aide the alcoholic to reach sobriety, as well as maintain is once reached. This step is an example of the religious influence on the 12-step recovery process.
Alcoholics Anonymous is not a religion, it is a spiritual program. In a religion you do certain things or act certain ways to gain God 's favor. Alcoholics Anonymous is a growing relationship between you and God. You will not hear in Alcoholics Anonymous that you have to act a certain way, though people will often make suggestions that work for them.
Alcoholics Anonymous believes "come as you are" even a rough concept of God will be a good starting place. Alcoholics Anonymous does not ask you to believe in God in the same way that they do. Although it is common that many would agree that the program is based upon Biblical principles.
You will usually not hear the name of Jesus much in Alcoholics Anonymous. The idea of the "Higher Power" is to draw people who may not be as open about God into the fellowship without scaring them off. A lot of people may have had bad experiences in churches and think the experiences are from God. There are people from all faiths in Alcoholics Anonymous, some of which have a God or “Higher Power” different from others.
The steps continue to involve the healing process. One of them asks that the drinker to go to any friends or family that have been hurt by alcoholism and apologize. Another step asks the drinker to take a sponsor. A sponsor is also an alcoholic who has been sober for a longer amount of time. The sponsor
References: Dick, B. (1998). Utilizing Early A.A. 's Spiritual Roots for Recovery Today. Good Book Publishing Company. Services, A. A., & Anonymous, A. (1981). Twelve steps and twelve traditions. AA World Services, Inc.