12 Step Programs:The Saving Grace

Writen by Ian Henman

Those who have addiction problems go to many organizations to get cured, and the Alcoholics Anonymous is in the front line among all those. This organization has become so popular over the years and a main reason for that is the tremendous success of their 12 step program. This program has successfully cured many individuals and returned them to the society - to family and friends as cured. So the 12 step program is just right for all those wanting to cure alcoholism and drug problems and regain self control and acceptance in the society. This program has become for many as a one-point reference point of solving addiction problems.

As the name suggests, the 12 step program comprises of 12 steps. Here are the various steps.

Step One: Giving up the power and accepting the fact that the use of alcohol, drugs and other elements has made the person lose control over his life. Accepting this as a fact is a useful first step.

Step Two & Three: These steps involve submission to God or a higher power. Actually belief in God is the second step while turning the life to God involves the third. This is one area where the 12 step program has been criticized. Many call it too religious.

Step Four & Five: Here are steps that also have some religion in it. These steps involve morality and confessions to self, to acquaintances and then finally to God.

Step Six: This step is quite passive and has been criticized as well. Almost the same as step 1, here the addict assumes that he is powerless in front of God who will then help the individual to recover, remove the negative forces and get back into the original condition.

Step Seven, Eight & Nine: These steps involve the process of expressing regret and asking for forgiveness for the various mistakes committed.

Step Ten, Eleven & Twelve: Morality is part of the tenth step as well. In the next step, the addict has to get close to God through prayers. In the last step the addict is supposed to achieve spiritual awakening. This awakening will automatically make him recover and despise drugs, alcoholism and other types of addictions.

The 12 step program encourages the former addict to speak of his addiction problems, his challenges and how the situation was turned around. The success story will work as an encouragement for others.

Though it has been successful, the 12 step program has been criticized from many quarters. While some say that the program is too religious, others feel that in the program, the addict is perceived as helpless and needs to depend on God and a higher force. There is no need to take matters in own hand.

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