Introduction
It's a set of guiding principles that set out a series of events to recover from addiction and other behavioral issues. It began as an anonymous alcoholics model and is one of the oldest recovery services still in use today. The founders of Alcoholic Anonymous founded the rehab service to help people overcome their addiction to alcohol. On the other hand, the software has increased in popularity and effectiveness over time as a result of support groups that use the model to fulfill their demands. Various applications exist for numerous addictions, ranging from alcohol anonymous to drugs with severe consequences (Vaillant, 247). Since recovery is a long process, there is no right or wrong way to approach the twelve steps as long as people do what works best for them. The twelve steps to addiction recovery are as discussed below.
Step 1: Admitting Powerlessness
The first step in the program is admitting that the individual is powerless over the addiction; let’s say alcohol in this case. It is important to recognize that the life of an individual is unmanageable at this time. It is the stage that the addict also identifies the existing problem and must admit that a problem exists before recovery is commenced. Of course, these candidates must accept that the addiction is beyond control.
Step 2: Coming to Believe
Secondly, the addicted individuals must come to believe that there is a greater power above them with the capability of restoring them to sanity. This step is all about hope and so realizes the possibility of recovery. It simply means that despite having no control over the addiction, it doesn’t mean there lacks a solution.
Step 3: Making a Decision
The third step in making a decision and will that lives is under the care of God. All this is about action and explains why individuals get out of their way. To others, it means the recovery process through prayers and other activities.
Step 4: Fearless and Moral Inventory
The fourth step is about making of fearless and moral inventory about one-self. The stage continues with the elimination of opportunities through honesty and denial. The stage is not only about discovering weaknesses but also identifying the individual strengths.
Step 5: Admitting Wrongs
The fifth step is admitting to God or other human beings on the nature of our bad doings. The step is useful after moral inventory since speaking to other humans helps in alleviating the negative feelings of guilt. It also matches with the old proverb of confession being good for the soul.
Step 6: Being Ready
The sixth step is being ready for God to scarp all the defects and character. It proves to be one of the difficult steps; however, the individual has to abandon the behaviors and attitudes holding him/her back. The step involves perfecting one behavior, and about getting better and through the recovery, the step will always be repeated severally.
Step 7: Humble Request
The seventh step would be to humbly ask God to do away with our shortcomings since the truth about our challenges is based on the addictions (Lauren, 4). Since individuals are powerless in overcoming the addictions; the same happens to their shortcomings. The step is marked with humility.
Step 8: Making Amends
The eighth step is amending all the persons whom the addicted people have harmed by recognizing the role played in hurting other individuals.
Step 9: Taking Action
The ninth step is amending the hurt people wherever possible and is more of action (Lauren, 5). However difficult it is at this stage, individuals take actions for their wrongs.
Step 10: Continuing Self-Reflection
The tenth step is continuing to take personal inventory after admitting the wrong behaviors. Admitting wrong actions allows forward movement with humility.
Step 11: Seeking Spiritual Connection
The 11th step is spiritual and would involve seeking prayer and meditation to improve the relationship with God (Shafil et al., 943). A more specific prayer can be offered to God as we listen to responses from Him.
Step 12: Spiritual Awakening
The 12th step is more of spiritual awakening and practicing principles of own affairs. It simply reminds the individual where he/she once was.
Conclusion
Twelve-step recovery from addiction program welcomes both the religious and non-religious approach despite taking a spiritual approach. The twelve steps recognize God as the highest power. The process also acknowledges that different people conceptualize power in various ways in their path to recovery.
Works Cited
Lauren Brande. About the Alcoholic Anonymous Twelve Step Recovery Program. Recovery.org, August 2016. Accessed 2 Nov. 2017.
Shafil, M., Lavely, R., & Jaffe, R., Meditation and the prevention of alcohol abuse. Am J Psychiatry, 1975. 132 (9): p. 942-5.
Vaillant, G. E., A long-term follow-up of male alcohol abuse. Arch Gen Psychiatry, 1996. 53 (3): p. 243-9.
