Addiction is usually a termed coined with drug dependence. However, it’s important to take note that too much of something may result to dependence whether it’s drugs, alcohol or even work. The good thing about addiction is it can be treated with the 12 step addiction recovery program and the patient’s commitment.
The 12 step addiction recovery program is derived from the alcoholism recovery program proposed by Alcoholics Anonymous but it takes various forms in order to match the type of addiction a patient experiences. It’s wordings are changed to achieve treatment for various dependence issues.
The 12 step addiction recovery program contains 12 steps to win against various addiction types but by looking at these steps properly, you’ll see that it can be grouped into five goals like the following with specific steps. Wordings are changed to addiction to describe the program in general.
Acceptance
Image from addictionrecoveryinc.com
Above everything else, it’s vital to accept first that something is definitely wrong with a patient’s behavior. Remember that fixing a problem starts in identifying the problem then the rest will follow. In addition, it’s also important to accept that dealing with addiction requires guidance and support from others and God.
Steps:
1. We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction, that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
Self preparation
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After identifying the problem and claiming that addiction is present, it’s time to prepare oneself towards treatment. At this point, people need to assess themselves and start to ask support as patients continue with their recovery program.
Steps:
4. We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
Picking up the pieces
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After such reflection, it’s time to pick up the pieces by identifying people who have been affected by addiction.
Steps:
7. We humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. We made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
Fixing the broken pieces
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This is the point of placing back the broken pieces. It means to make amends or apologize to those who are affected by the addiction whether it’s their own selves or loved ones. Dependents can also ask for guidance at this point either through spiritual or social support to make recovery easier.
Steps:
9. We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. We sought through prayer and medication to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
Moving on
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Once every piece were picked up and placed back together in place, it’s now time for dependents to move on towards a clean life and self-improvement.
Steps:
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
The 12 step addiction recovery program may have these steps but they can be grouped in five goals. Following these steps accordingly will absolutely make a dependent sober and start a new life free from addiction.
*Feature image from alcohol-treatment-programs.org