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The 12 Steps
The 12 Step program is the most popular, and
possibly the most misunderstood, self help
program in the world. With a beginning in the
late 1930’s, it was developed by two alcoholics
who were looking for a solution to their alcohol
problem. Since then, the 12 Step program has
flourished into over 1300 programs all around
the world. Nearly every addiction, obsession,
physical or mental disorder, defect, disability,
disease, and emotion has a 12 step self help
program of some sort to support it. It may seem
excessive but in actuality, the vast numbers of
groups reveals the true success of the 12 Step
program. It can be applied to virtually any area
of life, helping people of all races, colors and
creeds. You may be asking yourself: What are the
12 Steps and how do they help to combat
addiction? Are they religious programs? How much
do they cost? Do they really work?
All of these are valid questions. Nearly every
person currently apart of a 12 Step program has
probably asked a few of these questions
themselves at one time or another. It is normal
to be apprehensive, especially if you have
little to no experience with a program of this
nature. We all have seen the movie stars, rock
stars, politicians and many others battle drug
and alcohol addictions, go through the motions
of rehab and then a 12 step program only to
eventually fall back into their old behaviors
again. The trade papers, gossip columns,
magazines and celebrity television and internet
sites expose in great detail the demise of these
poor souls. These negatives are good for
magazine sales and website hits but bad for the
12 step program. It gives false evidence that
the 12 step program doesn’t work. What these
gossip venues don’t talk about are the ten,
twenty or hundred private successes for every
one, very public, failure. And even then, a slip
or relapse doesn’t necessarily mean absolute
failure but possibly only a temporary setback
for the individual affected.
Leaving controversy and debate aside, let’s talk
more about the 12 step program and answer some
common questions. The twelve steps are a process
of inner growth, never completed, but lived one
day at a time. There is no great mystery to the
steps, just a set of simple principles that are
practiced daily to achieve the desired result:
freedom from (whatever ails you here).
Obviously, there are twelve of them and
depending on which support group you attend; the
group objective may be different (freedom from
alcohol and/or drugs, life issues, etc.) but the
process is relatively the same. Taking one step
at a time, usually at ones own pace, an inner
change gradually takes place that relieves the
sufferer where nothing else could. But
attendance at a few meetings won’t change your
life forever. It is not a graduation program
where certificates of completion are handed out.
It is not a cure. It is not a religious program
that requires a previous understanding of the
bible, the Koran, or any other holy book. There
are no requirements, dues or fees. There are no
leaders, C.E.O.’s or owners. It is completely
self supporting by volunteered donations only.
The 12 Step program doesn’t demand that you
believe in anything. All it asks is that you
keep an open mind. That’s it. Overall, the 12
Step program is a method of substitution that
can help anyone who is willing to be helped. It
has helped millions of people recover from
conditions that otherwise could have possibly
resulted in their deaths.
By: Patrick McLemore
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