The 12-step principles are based on a spiritual program of recovery.
Each of the 12-steps has a spiritual principle behind it. The purpose of a 12-step program is to help people overcome addiction. Each step helps a person live day to day without the need for substances.
There is an old adage that says, “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.” The 12-step principles give people something to stand for, a proven approach to a life of successful recovery.
Working through the 12 steps helps to free people from the patterns of addiction.
One common behavioral pattern of those who suffer from addiction is lying. They lie to themselves and others to ensure they will get the substances their body craves. The first of the 12 steps is honesty. People in recovery learn to recognize their patterns of dishonesty and change them.
The eighth step is responsibility. Many people suffering from addiction let responsibilities fall fo the wayside. They do not have the physical, mental, or emotional stamina to fulfill their promises or to take care of themselves and those around them. A 12-step program helps people recover their ability to meet their commitments; they can once again feel confident in their ability to show up for themselves and others.
The 12-step principles help people become more deeply aware of how they have behaved in their addiction and the root cause of this behavior. The principles help them move the focus from feeding their addiction to feeding their spirituality and focusing on their relationship with the others and with the world around them.
Spirituality does not mean being religious or attending religious services.
Spirituality is working with one’s faith in a Higher power to develop self-awareness, empathy, and a sense of connectedness to others. It means accepting that, even though we cannot control circumstances, we can control how we react to them. The 12 steps have helped countless people develop this inner awareness and experience, giving them hope, courage, and healing.
Fittingly, the 12-step program is designed to be worked through with others. Twelve-step support groups encourage working with a sponsor or mentor to complete the steps, reminding people that they are not alone and that any growth they experience must include others.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction and would like more information about treatment options based on 12-step principles, please reach out and speak with someone today. There are resources available for people of all income ranges and situations. Recovery is possible; please don’t wait.
We can start you on the road to recovery.
