Alcoholics Anonymous, or AA, is one of the most widely-regarded methods of treatment for alcohol use. Even scientific evidence shows that AA is as effective and more cost-effective than cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). AA is based on the 12 Steps, which are the foundational principles of this fellowship. The 12-Step model is a highly successful one in that it has been incorporated into various other rehab and treatment programs. We shall learn all about the same today.
How Did AA Begin?
AA began with two unlikely persons coming together – Dr. Bob Smith and Bill Wilson. Bill, a famous Wall Street banker, had been struggling with crippling alcoholism when he found that Dr. Bob Smith’s method of spiritual awakening made all the difference in his life.
Following this, he was so keen to share his recovery experience with others, and this is how AA was born.
What Are the 12 Steps of AA?
AA is based on the 12 Steps, which are how you navigate your alcohol use-related challenges within this ecosystem – toward recovery.
The 12 Steps are as follows:
- We admitted we were powerless over alcohol – that our lives had become unmanageable.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
- Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
- Continued to take personal inventory, and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
- Sought through prayer and meditation 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.
- Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
How Do the 12 Steps Work?
Step 1 – One of the worst things about alcohol use is denial. So, the first step involves being honest about your alcohol use.
When you admit powerlessness over your alcohol use, you understand that it has taken control over your life. Your recovery begins when you decide to take back control of your life from alcohol.
Step 2 – The second step is about faith in a “Higher Power” – while this can mean God, it can also mean those things that matter to you – even love or science. When you submit to this Higher Power, you begin to foster a sense of accountability.
Once you have accepted the Higher Power in your life, you surrender to this power. This way, you begin to create meaning and purpose in your life away from alcohol use.
Step 4 – The fourth step is all about soul searching. It is looking inward to identify those intentions and behaviors within yourself that will lead you toward the path of recovery.
Step 5 – The biggest reason why recovery within a fellowship like AA becomes possible is because of vulnerability.
Yet, this is also one of the hardest things to do. When you understand and speak the truth, as it is, the more you will stand to gain from your recovery journey.
Step 6 – When you are truthful about your trials and tribulations with alcohol, you move toward acceptance.
As you accept your past, you can journey toward a future with the promise that it is going to be healthy and fulfilling.
Step 7 – The seventh step is about humility. Alcohol use can lead to a confused sense of self, but when you accept the Higher Power, you are letting go and asking for help.
This allows you to become more humble and grounded in reality during your recovery journey.
Step 8 – In the eighth step, you move toward making amends.
Alcohol use hurts relationships, so you make a list of all the people you have hurt and put in the time and effort into repairing these relationships. This is more proactive and better than just leading a life of guilt.
Step 9 – The ninth step is all about forgiveness. Toward others who might have hurt you and even toward yourself for those things in your past you are not very proud of.
Step 10 – Whatever you have achieved thus far, you look back and are honest about your progress. This way, you can maintain your progress and build on it.
Step 11 – In the eleventh step, you learn to give. Whatever gift you have, you use it to do good to others who may benefit from your journey and experiences.
Step 12 – The twelfth and final step is about service. Whatever you have learned thus far, you apply it in your own life just as you will use it to benefit others who have had similar struggles as you.
What Are the Advantages of the 12 Steps of AA?
Structure – The 12 Steps create a targeted path toward recovery, with each step building on the previous one. You stand to receive the benefits of introspection, making amends, forgiveness, personal growth, and service.
Spiritual Awakening – A spiritual experience is the core aspect of the 12 Steps. Whether you want to define it in a religious or secular context, that is up to you. However, you can receive emotional healing from this spiritual surrender.
Sober Community – The 12-Step AA meetings create a safe environment where you can share your struggles, learn from others, and take personal ownership of your own recovery.
Ongoing Care – The 12 Steps are so feasible that they can be integrated into rehab, sober living, and other recovery options. They are also seamless in that they can fit into every aspect of your life, providing you with the ongoing care and support you need to maintain your recovery.
Widely Accessible – AA boasts of a strong presence in 180 countries, with over 123,000 meetings held around the world – both in-person and online. Wherever you are, there is likely to be an AA meeting near you.
Free Membership – All AA meetings are free of cost. You can contribute if you want to, but it is not mandatory. This is what makes AA one of the most cost-effective, evidence-backed methods for alcohol use recovery.
Are the 12 Steps of AA Right For You?
AA boasts of 2 million successful recovery stories around the world, as we speak. So, yes, most definitely, the 12 Steps are highly effective. But are they for you?
Well, it really depends on your unique recovery needs and goals. Some try it on their own, while others incorporate it with detox, psychotherapy, medication management, and aftercare.
The one way to understand is to try 12-Step AA meetings for yourself. If you feel right at home, it is a sign you can benefit from them. Otherwise, you can try other non-12-Step options as well.
Recovery does not follow a one-size-fits-all approach, and your recovery journey is going to be unique from everyone else’s. You need to do whatever works for you.
Begin Your Recovery Journey Today!
If you are struggling with alcohol misuse or an alcohol use disorder, then the 12 Steps of AA can change your life.
Please contact Sober Living West at (310) 218-5158 today to learn how you can benefit from AA in your recovery journey.