The 12-step program was developed in the 30s of the 20th century, initially it was used to treat alcoholics, and two decades later - to treat drug addicts. Millions of alcohol and drug addicts were given the opportunity to start a healthy life without substances thanks to the program. The technique is recognized as the most effective and is used in the best drug treatment clinics around the world.

What are the specifics of the method?

The 12-step program helps the addict understand the very essence of the problem, find its source, and then regain the meaning of existence. Conscience awakens in a person, opportunities for introspection open up, and continuous spiritual growth begins.

The program is often used in drug treatment centers. Members of the group include those who are just starting to work with their addiction, and people who have already recovered. Newcomers who join the group do not immediately become full members. They attend several classes, receive full view about the program, as well as the principle of its operation, and only after that they make a conscious decision: whether they want to use the method or not.

Each newcomer has his own “sponsor”; this is his guide in the program, someone to whom he can turn for help and answers to questions. Only those participants who themselves have gone through all 12 steps and have already become sponsors become more than a year maintain sobriety and purity.

The program aims to help the addict realize that he is sick, accept defeat and seek support and help. The 12 steps help you find your way spiritual development, change and gain healthy and happy life, in which there is no place for dependence.

Program history

The founding father of the program is considered to be former stockbroker Bill Wilson. Bill was a confirmed alcoholic. He was admitted to the clinic four times for treatment, but soon returned to drinking alcohol. His doctor once told his wife that Bill was hopeless and that alcoholics like him did not recover. Bill faced an unenviable future: brain swelling, liver disease and death.

His friend Edwin, a former alcoholic who was able to quit, regularly visited Bill. He convinced Bill that first he must admit his defeat and his absolute powerlessness over alcoholism, gain faith in some Higher Power and then begin his path to recovery. Inspired by Edwin's experiences and successes, Bill joined the Oxford Group. Later, the principles of this group will become the basis for future program 12 steps. Participation in the movement allowed Bill to gradually improve his life, he found interesting job, had not drunk alcohol for six months, but one day he almost had a breakdown. When Bill realized that any more progress he had made would be lost, he decided that he could help by talking to someone who would understand his problem. A fellow member of the Oxford Group introduced him to an alcoholic named Bob.

This strange meeting became the day when the famous 12 steps were born. Bill and Bob talked for almost 7 hours, on that very day Bill decided to streamline the principles of working with dependencies. The text of the program was written in 1938, around the same years Bill gathered the Alcoholics Anonymous society around him. The society was a huge success and by 1995 the number of its members had increased to two million.

How should we understand the idea of ​​a Higher Power?

One of the important ideas of the technique was the idea of ​​a Higher Power, as something intangible, but intelligent, that controls life. It is worth considering that the 12 steps are not a religious program, and a Higher Power should not be taken in a religious sense. This perfect image, which a person should strive for in the rehabilitation process. Everyone understands it differently. The Higher Power has no name, it is not God, not Buddha, and not Allah.

The idea of ​​a Higher Power is that man has no power even over his own own life. He cannot see either his own or someone else's future, in many situations he cannot even influence the course of events. The Higher Power of the 12 steps is something comparable to a personal God, a guardian angel who has plans for his ward, but they are unknown to the ward himself. The Higher Power is a barrier between a person and a chaotic, unpredictable future, and this barrier is not soulless, it cares about a person.

The addict must admit that he does not do what his will requires, but what the will of the Higher Power requires, because pride and self-centeredness become one of the the most important factors contributing to the development of addiction. Faith in a Higher Power helps you accept the natural course of events and heal.

What does each step mean?

Each of the program steps has its own meaning. The transition to the next stage occurs when the addict has completely mastered the previous one.

First. Recognizing powerlessness in the face of addiction and loss of self-control.

This step is the most difficult to take; it will become the point from which a new life begins. It takes special courage to admit defeat. The decision to switch to sobriety means that the addict is ready to accept responsibility for his loved ones: children, spouse, relatives, and for himself. A resident of a rehabilitation center will have to admit that his actions are destructive, and he is destroying not only his life, but also the destinies of the people he loves most.

Second. Recognition of the existence of a Higher Power and faith that it will help return to normal life.

A person has to gain faith that he can overcome his addiction and can feel happiness without altering his consciousness with substances. A person has to believe that there is a Higher Power that will provide him with such necessary help on this difficult path.

Third. A conscious decision to submit your will to the Higher Power, because it acts only for good.

The addict has to cope with his stubbornness and selfishness, stop withdrawing into himself, stop regretting the past and what didn’t come true, and learn to enjoy what he has. He has to make a firm decision to get rid of his addiction, and this decision must be made with both his mind and his heart.

Fourth. Self-analysis, moral assessment of one’s actions.

The resident needs to impartially evaluate himself and realize what he really is, honestly admit the motives for his actions, remove layer after layer of selfishness and resentment and find the real himself underneath. The addict must understand what irritates him and what he really expects from the world.

Fifth. Admitting your mistakes and mistakes to another person.

Now the program member must present the fruits of his self-reflection to another (the sponsor). Confession requires great courage from the resident, and great responsibility from the sponsor, who will listen and help the ward with advice.

Sixth. Acceptance of readiness to get rid of addiction.

A person has to see and realize that addiction has become a barrier separating him from healthy life, he must come to terms with himself, realize his shortcomings and see the path to recovery.

Seventh. Turning to a Higher Power for help.

This stage is a time for changing habits and gaining positive experiences. After the addict has realized his powerlessness, he gains the desire to act and overcome addiction, he opens up to a new life, feels ready to accept its new rules and completely give up alcohol and drugs.

Eighth. Compiling a list of people whom the addict has harmed and drawing up an action plan to atone for his guilt.

This step will allow the addict to get rid of the guilt that fell on him at the moment when he got on Right way. He must remember everyone he has harmed in any way and repent to them. A participant in the 12 Step program must be prepared to humbly accept reproaches and listen to evil speeches addressed to him, but this is the only opportunity to receive the forgiveness that is so necessary for further recovery.

Ninth. Atonement for guilt before loved ones.

At this stage, the addict accepts responsibility and tries to establish social connections and compensate for the harm caused to those closest to you. Not only material, but also moral damage is compensated. This is a difficult stage, so the sponsor helps his ward.

Tenth. Admitting mistakes and turning a destructive force into a creative one.

The resident will have to acquire the necessary self-control skills, learn to avoid breakdowns, and analyze their actions. A person must also learn to build and maintain strong social connections.

Eleventh step. Understanding and trust in a Higher Power, self-improvement.

This stage marks the search for a person’s abilities and talents. Inner world The program participant is only in the process of becoming, but he is developing. False attachments disappear, self-analysis skills are strengthened, and peace sets in.

The final step is the opportunity to share the joy of freedom from addiction with the whole world. During the program, enormous changes occurred in the person - the once embittered and offended drug addict/alcoholic transformed into a healthy, full-fledged personality and free man who is ready to develop and build harmonious relationships.

Why is the 12 step program so effective?

The program is praised both by people who have already completed it successfully and by addicts who are just embarking on the path to recovery. Members of the program are impressed by the realization that their actions are their free choice, the program does not imply restrictions, does not set boundaries, it only helps a person understand himself and his problem and points the way to a healthy life. There is no annoying and oppressive submission to authority in the program, there is no dictatorship, each member of the therapeutic community is equal, everyone is ready to provide voluntary help.

The program provides much-needed explanation of how to live without mind-altering substances. Step by step, it helps a person to rediscover himself, to regain lost prospects and opportunities, loved ones and his favorite job.

Community "Narcotics Anonymous"

NA is a community of men and women for whom drugs have become main problem. We are recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean. This program is a complete abstinence from all types of drugs. There is only one condition for NA membership - a desire to stop using. We suggest you be receptive and give yourself a chance. Our program is based on principles that are stated so simply that we can follow them in Everyday life, and most importantly they work.
There are no obligations in NA. We are not affiliated with any other organization, we have no entrance fees or regular fees, and we make no promises. We are not affiliated with any political, religious, or law enforcement organization and are never under anyone's control. Anyone can join us, regardless of age, nationality, sexual orientation, beliefs, religion or lack thereof.
We don't want to know how much or what kind of drugs you've used, who you've been involved with, what you've done in the past, whether you're rich or poor, we just want to know what you're up to and how we can help you. The newbie is the most important person in any meeting, because we can only keep what we have by giving. We know from group experience that those who regularly attend our meetings remain clean.
This is a quote from the official website of the Moscow Community of Narcotics Anonymous (www.na-msk.ru). In this community, your loved one will be able to find true friends, gain the prospect of recovery, and not only quit using once, but also stay clean for the rest of their lives. The activities of this community are based on " " and " " - a set of consistent principles that the recovering person must master. The community is divided into groups. Each group meets several times a week.

Twelve steps

"12 steps" is a program of spiritual growth, originally developed for the treatment of alcoholism by alcoholics themselves. Subsequently, this program was transferred to treat other addictions - drug addiction, gambling addiction, codependency, etc. The goal of the program is not to forcefully change a person, but to make a person aware of his place in life, his capabilities and abilities. The method of the program is group therapy, helping one addicted person to another. Most successful recovery programs are based on the Twelve Steps.

If you have a desire to have what we offer you, and you are willing to put in the effort to get it, then you are ready to take certain steps. These are the principles that make our recovery possible. These are the 12 steps of Narcotics Anonymous:

1. We admitted our powerlessness over drug addiction; admitted that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. We have come to believe that only a Power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity.
3. We made the decision to surrender our will and our lives to God as we understood Him.
4. Deeply and fearlessly assessed themselves and their lives from a moral point of view.
5. Confessed before God, yourself and some other person true nature our delusions.
6. Have fully prepared ourselves to have God remove our shortcomings.
7. We humbly asked Him to correct our shortcomings.
8. We made a list of all those people whom we had harmed, and were filled with the desire to make amends to them.
9. Personally compensate for the damage caused to these people whenever possible, except in cases where it could harm them or someone else.
10. Continued self-analysis and, when we made mistakes, immediately admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to deepen contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us to do, and for the gift of strength to do it.
12. Having achieved the spiritual awakening that these Steps led to, we tried to convey the meaning of our ideas to other addicts and apply these principles in all our affairs.

This list seems very long and we cannot accept it all at once. But don’t despair, we didn’t become addicted overnight, so remember: the slower you go, the slower you go.

Twelve Traditions

We preserve what we have only through constant observation of ourselves. And just as individual freedom comes to us from the Twelve Steps, so freedom of group activity comes from our traditions. Until the ties that bind us stronger than that, that can divide us, everything will be fine.

1. Our common welfare must come first; personal recovery depends on NA unity.
2. In the affairs of our group there is only one highest authority - a loving God, perceived by us in the form in which He can appear in our group consciousness. Our leaders are just trusted executors; they do not govern us.
3. The only condition for membership in NA is the desire to stop using drugs.
4. Each group should be completely independent, except when it comes to other groups or NA as a whole.
5. Each group has only one the main objective- to convey our ideas to those drug addicts who are still suffering.
6. The NA group should never endorse, finance, or lend the NA name for the use of any related organization or outside company, lest concerns of money, property, or prestige distract us from our primary purpose.
7. Every NA group should rely entirely on own strength, refusing outside help.
8. Narcotics Anonymous must always remain a non-professional organization, but our services may employ workers with certain qualifications.
9. The NA community should never have a rigid system of governance; however, we may create services or committees that report directly to those they serve.
10. Narcotics Anonymous does not hold any opinions on matters outside its scope of work; therefore, the name of NA should not be drawn into any public discussion.
11. Our relationship with society is based on the attractiveness of our ideas, and not on propaganda. We must always maintain anonymity in all our contacts with the press, radio and television.
12. Anonymity is the spiritual basis of all our Traditions, constantly reminding us that principles, not individuals, are important.

The twelve traditions of NA are the guiding principles that help the Fellowship to exist and be free.

First time in a group

The first visit to a group is a very important step. Many people stop going to groups after the first unsuccessful try. It is important to remember that all groups are different and the people in these groups are also very different. In some groups, newcomers are treated very warmly, in others - with distrust. If you didn’t like it in this group, it might be completely different in another. On new group It’s better to arrive 15 minutes before the start, go up to the presenter and say that this is your first time. It is advisable to come to groups sober and clean. The main thing to do at first is to get acquainted with as many big amount people and find yourself a sponsor (mentor) who will help with the work step by step. At NA meetings, people only speak out; most of the work is done in small (or home) groups. Working the steps together is easier than working alone.

What can the group give?

Take some free time.
- New circle communication (and subsequently, perhaps, love and work).
- I believe in the possibility of living soberly.
- Understanding that you are not the only one.
- Learn to listen to your interlocutor.
- Experience in solving similar problems.
- Opportunity to speak at the meeting.
- Teach ways to combat cravings.
- Help not to forget the madness of use.
- Live without destroying yourself.
- Support during critical periods.
- Find your faith.
- Help to understand the reason for starting use.
- A sponsor (mentor) who will help you work according to the 12 step program.
- Small group to collaborate step by step.
- The opportunity to help others to stay sober.
- Ideally, help you understand yourself and find a new place in life.

What the group cannot give.

Provide qualified medical and psychological assistance(this is a non-profit non-professional association).
- Solve problems without the desire to solve them on your part.
- Change a person at one time.
- To guide you by the hand along the path to recovery.

Group schedule.

Group work schedule Narcotics Anonymous in Moscow and Russia can be found on the website www.na-msk.ru. The schedule of groups in St. Petersburg is on the website www.na-spb.ru.

Other mutual aid communities.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)– the founder of the 12 step program and the most powerful and united community today. Since alcohol and drug addictions are of the same nature, there are no fundamental differences in the approaches of AA and NA to recovery. Additionally, most recovering drug addicts have had or may develop a problem with alcohol. The average age of AA members is slightly higher than that of NA, and group meetings are more organized. Another argument in favor of attending AA groups is the small number of drug addicts among group participants, which reduces the likelihood of relapses. People who have attended both AA and NA meetings often say that AA is more interesting. The official website of the Central Educational Institution AA of Russia is www.aarus.ru, and the Moscow AA Community is www.intermoscow.ru. There are also group schedules and links to regional resources.
For people who have problems with alcohol or drugs, but who are not comfortable with the religious aspect of the Twelve Step Program, there are S.O.S. groups. – from English abbreviations Secular Organization of Sobriety or Let's Save Ourselves. S.O.S program is a rational approach to recovery, sobriety without superstition, relying on one’s own strengths, personal uniqueness and one’s own individual plan recovery. As far as I know, at the beginning of 2007 such a group existed only in Moscow. More information about the work of this group and the schedule of meetings can be found on the website “Alcoholism and alcoholics. Forum for mutual assistance in alcoholism.” www.notdrink.ru (section “All about S.O.S.”).
Interview with anonymous.

So, let's continue to think about the twelve steps of recovery, right?! Today I will try to talk about the Eighth Step. But first, I want to remind you again that if you have recently subscribed, then it is better to download several previous newsletters (I have posted the newsletters in packaged form on the website) to better understand what is about here we'll talk. And also - I will tell you my understanding of the Steps and recovery. Is not official opinion, not the opinion of any community. So, Step Eight:

8. We made a list of all those people whom we had harmed, and were filled with the desire to make amends to them. Interesting step, right? It’s so nice to think that everyone in this world owes me, that everyone around me is so bad and evil, and I am such a sufferer and offended by fate, God, life, etc. Have you ever met those people who believe that everyone owes them something, but they don’t owe anyone? Just think before you answer right away. For example, I have often met such people. And to be honest, I myself was such a person and still am, only less so. You know, for a long time I was offended by other people, by the whole world. I just thought that all the people around me were so happy, so complete and “normal”, and I was the only one so “abnormal”, inferior. And, naturally, I thought that all these normal people they owe me a lot for their normality. That is, they should increase my self-esteem, improve my mood, feed and water me. In general, they should feel guilty before me only because they are all happy, and I am the only one so unhappy. Naturally, this position led me to many vices and shortcomings. For example, I was good at noticing and remembering when other people hurt me and offended me. But I myself very rarely understood and noticed that I was hurting and offending other people. And the reality of our life is such that the people around us are not created only to satisfy all our needs and desires, to meet our expectations. And when I expect other people to jump in front of me, then my expectations will most likely simply not come true, and I will be even more hurt and angry at the world, to loved ones and friends. It turns out to be a closed circle, from which it is very difficult to get out, which gradually sucks in and absorbs headlong. And the result of all this is separation from the people around you, separation from them, and as a consequence of this - loneliness, melancholy, misunderstanding and lack of acceptance by others. And loneliness leads to an intensification of the disease from which we want to recover. So, do you want to be alone, to think that you are such an unrecognized genius that few people understand?

What does the eighth step give? It makes it possible to get out of this captivity of loneliness and isolation, resentment towards others and alienation from other people. The essence of the eighth step is to prepare to begin to reconcile with humanity, to come out of our own shell, out of resentment and self-pity, which is gradually killing and corroding us. And for this it is important to just sit down and start writing a list of those people whom we have harmed, whom we have ever offended in our lives. What does it mean - offended? Let me quote from the book "Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions": "We could practically define the word "resentment" as the result of a clash of instincts that causes physical, mental, emotional and spiritual harm to people." So, we tried to understand who exactly during our lives we have offended, to whom we have caused harm. We did this partly when we wrote out our fourth step, in which we wrote about our character flaws - anger, irritability, hatred, contempt, etc. But still, let's talk about this in more detail.

First of all, I want to say that before asking forgiveness from another person for offending him, it is very important to first forgive him and not hold a grudge against him. It’s not for nothing that this step is only the eighth; there are seven more steps before it. And in those steps, it is precisely these shortcomings of mine that are worked out - anger, irritability, hatred. I ask God to deliver me from them, so that I become purer and kinder(!). And gradually I am learning to forgive other people, not to accumulate anger and anger towards them, to see in them not only character flaws, but also virtues. After all, I already understand that otherwise I will simply kill myself if I don’t get rid of this. I recently realized this thing for myself - that if I accumulate anger and hatred towards other people, then I am making things worse for myself. I used to really like to talk about other people’s shortcomings, their pains and mistakes. And in other people I saw more disadvantages than advantages, and I spoke with others precisely about the shortcomings. One day I came to visit my friends and we started discussing our mutual acquaintances. And it turned out that I only said bad, negative things about everyone. I seethed with resentment and anger towards these people and told my friends about it. And they told me that it was unpleasant to communicate with me, since it was as if such a stream of tasteless, bitter flows from me - resentment and anger. And when I arrived home, I realized that they were right and I was really so harmful and evil, and it would be unpleasant for me to communicate with a person like me. And at the same time, I read in the book “Sexaholics Anonymous” (it is on my website) that when I accumulate these feelings in myself, accumulate irritation, anger and resentment, this leads to the fact that I withdraw into myself even more and again I resort to my addiction to alleviate my condition. When I compared these two discoveries, I realized that it was time for me to learn to work through my grievances, to forgive even those people who caused me a lot of harm and pain, since this harms me very much. strong degree. And working through your grievances means trying to forgive all those people who harmed me, and then asking for forgiveness from them for the fact that I also harmed them.

And when we write a list of these people, we can start with open manifestations of our anger and hatred. You can remember those people whom you robbed, deceived, humiliated and insulted clearly and strongly. These could be friends, work colleagues, owners of some companies, etc. Maybe you cheated on your husband or wife, stole money without anyone seeing or knowing it, cruelly mocked a person, etc. I think you can easily remember these people. It is important that when you write, try not to justify yourself by saying that he is to blame for everything, he was the one who started it all. The point is not who is to blame and who started (this is childish thinking, not an adult, do you agree?), but that YOU caused pain to another person, and now it is important to try to reconcile with him, clear your conscience, get rid of feelings of guilt and shame, become free and an open person. Next may be a list of things that are less obvious, but also important for recovery. Don’t forget to include yourself in this list of people you have offended. You also suffered from your illness, from addiction or codependency, right? This means that you also need reconciliation with yourself, forgiveness of yourself. Have you ever thought about this - asking yourself for forgiveness and forgiving yourself? After all, we strive to find peace and peace of mind, to inner harmony. And for this you just need to forgive yourself, make peace with yourself. This is also a process, a long treatment procedure, but very important. And think about the fact that people close to you, friends and work colleagues could have indirectly suffered from your behavior. For example, if you sit for hours in front of the TV or computer, then your loved ones do not receive from you the warmth, intimacy, communication and help that they could have received, but which you deprived them of. Or, if you are a workaholic, that is, you work a lot and bring home money, but at the same time you do not give the warmth and attention that your family or your friends expect from you, then you are also robbing them and hurting them. Even an unfulfilled promise or an unsent letter can cause pain to another person. As one woman I know told me, “if a person promised to do something to me and didn’t do it, then for me it’s like a betrayal.”

So there is something to think about, something to remember. Just try not to push yourself strong feeling guilt for causing so much harm to other people. After all, we are recovering with you and we are taking this step not at all in order to wallow in feelings of guilt and shame, but in order to be cleansed of them, in order to be free and open to friendship, love and happiness individuals. In fact, the eighth and ninth steps are aimed precisely at liberation from these feelings, at getting out of loneliness, shame, fear, self-hatred and the opinion that you are a second-rate, sick person. These are steps of freedom, peace and happiness. When you do them (of course, after the previous seven steps), you yourself will understand how great it is to be in peace and harmony with yourself and the world around you. In any case, do not be ashamed or afraid of other people and your past actions. That's all for today, next time we'll move on to step nine.

“We admitted that we were powerless over alcohol, that we had lost control of ourselves.”
Who would agree to admit complete defeat? Admitting your powerlessness is the first step to liberation. The connection between humility and sobriety. Mental obsession plus physical allergies. Why should every A.A. member finally go down?

“We have come to believe that only a Power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity.”
What can we believe in? AA doesn't require you to be a believer; The Twelve Steps are just suggestions. The importance of not being biased. Diversity of paths leading to faith. AA as a substitute for a Higher Power. The fate of the disillusioned. Indifference and prejudice are obstacles on the way. Lost faith found in AA. Problems of intelligence and independence. Negative and positive thinking. Complacency. Disobedience - characteristic behavior of alcoholics. The Second Step is the starting point on the path to sanity. The Right Attitude to God.

“We decided to entrust our will and our lives to God as we understood Him.”
The Third Step can be compared to opening a locked door. How can we make God come into our lives? Our preparedness is the key. Submission as a means to gain independence. Surrendering your will to a Higher Power. Abuse of willpower. Constant personal effort is necessary to submit to God's will.

“Deeply and fearlessly assessed themselves and their lives from a moral point of view.”
How instincts are capable of exceeding their intended purpose. The Fourth Step is an attempt to discover our obligations to others. The main problem with instinctive impulses is going to extremes. Wrong approach to moral assessment can lead to feelings of guilt, pretentiousness, and blaming others. Along with your shortcomings, you should celebrate your strengths. Self-justification is dangerous. The willingness to make a moral assessment brings light to life and inspires self-confidence. The Fourth Step is the beginning of a course of behavior that will last a lifetime. Common symptoms of emotional imbalance are anxiety, anger, self-pity and depression. Moral judgment applies to relationships with other people. The importance of its careful implementation.

“Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to any other person the true nature of our errors.”
The Twelve Steps reduce the size of our self to its true size. The Fifth Step is difficult, but necessary to achieve sobriety and peace of mind. The tradition of repentance goes back to ancient times. Without a decisive recognition of their shortcomings, few will be able to lead a sober lifestyle. What does Step Five give us? The beginning of true unity with people and God. Lose the feeling of isolation from people; receive forgiveness and give it to others yourself; You will learn humility, become stronger in honesty and a realistic attitude towards yourself. The danger of logical reasoning. How to choose a person you can trust? As a result, you gain balance and God awareness. Unity with God and people prepares us for the next Steps.

“We have fully prepared ourselves for God to remove all our shortcomings.”
The Sixth Step is necessary for spiritual development. This is the beginning of the work that needs to be done throughout your life. Recognize the difference between goal pursuit and excellence. Why do you need to make multiple attempts? Personal readiness is paramount. The need to take action. Delay is dangerous. Disobedience can have fatal consequences. The point at which we abandon limited goals and move towards God's will.

“We humbly asked Him to correct our shortcomings.”
What is humility? What can it mean for us? Wide road to true freedom of the human spirit. An essential tool for survival. The value of curbing one's self. Failures and sorrows transformed by humility. Strength born from weakness. Pain is the price of entry new life. Self-centered fear as the main source of shortcomings. The Seventh Step is a new attitude towards life that allows us to move towards God.

“We made a list of all those people whom we had harmed, and were filled with the desire to make amends to them.”
This and the next two Steps deal with personal relationships. Learn to live in peace with other people - interesting task. Obstacles to this: unwillingness to forgive, refusal to admit guilt to others, deliberate forgetfulness. The need for a thorough analysis of the past. A deeper understanding of things as a consequence of this thoroughness. Different types the harm we cause to others. The need to avoid extremes in judgment. Taking an objective point of view. Eighth Step - exit from isolation.

“Personally made compensation for the damage caused to these people wherever possible, except in cases where it could harm them or someone else.”
Peace of mind is the first condition necessary for rational judgment. Good timing is important when recovering damages. What is courage? Prudence means weighing the odds. Compensation begins when we join A.A. Peace of mind cannot be bought at the expense of other people. The need for caution. The willingness to accept the consequences of our past and take responsibility for the well-being of others is the essence of Step Nine.

“We continued to introspect and when we made mistakes, we immediately admitted it.”
Can we stay sober and save peace of mind under any circumstances? Self-analysis becomes a vital necessity. Recognizing, accepting and patiently correcting your shortcomings. “Emotional hangover.” When you have settled your scores with the past, you can take on the present difficulties. Varieties moral assessment. Anger, discontent, jealousy, envy, self-pity, offended pride - all this caused the need for alcohol. The first goal is to curb yourself. Guarantees against self-aggrandizement. Let's look at “income” and “expenses”. Study of the motives of actions.

“We sought through prayer and meditation to deepen our contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us to do, and for the gift of strength to do it.”
Meditation and prayer are the main ways to establish contact with a Higher Power. The connection between self-reflection, meditation and prayer. The unshakable foundation of life. How to do meditation? Meditation knows no limits. Solo adventure. The first result is peace of mind. What about prayer? Daily requests to understand God's will and to give us the strength to carry it out. The effectiveness of prayer is undeniable. Reward received for prayers and meditation.

“Having had the spiritual awakening that these steps brought about, we have endeavored to convey the meaning of our ideas to other alcoholics and to apply these principles in all our affairs.”
Joy of life is the theme of the Twelfth Step. Action is his keyword. Give without asking for anything in return. Love free from considerations of cost. What is a spiritual awakening? A new state of consciousness and renewed being are accepted as a gift. Willingness to accept gifts is part of Twelfth Step behavior. Magnificent reality. Reward for helping other alcoholics. Types of work in the Twelfth Step program. Is it possible to follow these principles in all matters? Monotony, pain and unhappiness are turned into good things by following the instructions of the Steps. Difficulties in implementation. “Two steps and no more.” Taking all Twelve Steps and demonstrating faith. Spiritual growth- response to emerging problems. Spiritual growth is above all. Subjugation of other people and excessive dependence on them. The transition to a new life basis is to give to others and take from others. Dependence on God is essential to recovery from alcoholism. “Following these principles in all our affairs”: internal relationships in A.A. Attitudes towards material wealth are changing. Ideas about the importance of one’s own person are also changing. The role of instincts in fulfilling one's goals has been restored. true purpose. Understanding is the key to a right outlook on life, right actions are the key to a happy life.

TWELVE TRADITIONS

“Our common well-being must come first; personal recovery depends on A.A. unity.”
Without unity, AA will cease to exist. Individual freedom, but high degree unity. The key to the paradox: the life of every A.A. member depends on following spiritual principles. The group must survive, otherwise no one individually will survive. First of all - general well-being. How best to live and work together in a group.

“In the affairs of our group there is only one supreme authority - a loving God, perceived by us in the form in which He can appear in our group consciousness. Our leaders are just trusted executors; they do not give orders.”
Who runs AA? Our only authority in A.A. is the God who loves us, perceived by us as He can appear in our group consciousness. Group formation. Growing pains. The committees, in which everyone is employed in turn, are the service personnel of the group. Leaders do not manage, they serve the interests of everyone. Is there real leadership in AA? “Honored activist” and “compassionate preacher.” The collective consciousness of the group speaks.

“The only requirement for becoming a member of A.A. is a desire to stop drinking.”
Intolerance based on fear early stages activities. To deny an alcoholic the chance to become an A.A. member is sometimes to give him a death sentence. Waiver of membership rules. Two examples from AA experience. Every alcoholic is a member of AA if he considers himself one.

“Each group should be completely independent, except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.”
Each A.A. group conducts its affairs at its own discretion, except in cases where doing so may endanger the organization as a whole. Is such freedom dangerous? The group, like each individual member, must act in accordance with principles that guarantee survival. Two warnings of danger: the group must not undertake anything that could be detrimental to the overall A.A. organization and must not have collateral interests outside the direct objectives of A.A. Example: “AA Center”, which turned out to be incompetent.

“Each group has only one main goal - to bring our ideas to those alcoholics who are still suffering.”
It’s better to do one thing well than several things badly. The life of our Commonwealth depends on this principle. The ability of each A.A. to understand the newcomer and work for his healing is a gift from God... communicating it to others is our only goal. You cannot maintain sobriety if you do not impart it to others.

“The AA group should never endorse, finance, or lend the AA name for the use of any related organization or outside company, lest concerns of money, property, and prestige distract us from our primary purpose.”
Experience has shown that we cannot support any related enterprises, no matter how good they may be. We cannot be all things to all people. We realized that we should not allow any other activity to be carried out under our name.

“Each A.A. group should be entirely self-reliant, refusing outside help.”
No A.A. tradition has ever been born in such agony as this. General poverty at the beginning of activity as necessary condition. Fear of exploitation. The need to separate the spiritual and material. The decision to live only on voluntary donations from AA members. Placing direct responsibility for the support of its headquarters on A.A. members. It is headquarters policy to have funds in the account only for operating expenses plus a reasonable cash reserve.

“Alcoholics Anonymous must always remain a non-professional organization, but our services may employ workers with certain qualifications.”
The Twelfth Step should not be confused with monetary payment. The dividing line between voluntary Twelfth Step work and paid services. AA cannot function without hired support staff. Professional staff are not professional A.A. members. AA's attitude towards industry, education, etc. Twelfth Step work is never paid, but those who serve us are worth being paid.

“AA should never have a rigid system of management; however, we may create services or committees that report directly to those they serve.”
Special councils and committees. The Service Center Conference, Board of Trustees, and group committees cannot issue directives to A.A. members or groups. No person or group of people can lead A.A. The lack of coercion works because the A.A. who does not follow the Twelve Step Program is signing his own death warrant. The same applies to the group. Suffering and love replace discipline in AA. The difference between the spirit of authoritarianism and the spirit of service. The goal of our ministry is to make a sober life possible for all those who strive for it.

“Alcoholics Anonymous takes no position on matters outside its scope of work; therefore the name of A.A. should not be drawn into any public discussion.”
AA does not take any position in public debates. Reluctance to fight is not a special virtue. Our main goal is to survive and spread the ideas of AA. Lessons from the Washington Movement.

“Our policy in relations with the public is based on the attractiveness of our ideas, and not on propaganda; we must always maintain anonymity in all our contacts with the press, radio and cinema.”
Social relations are important to A.A. A good relationship with the public serve to save lives. We need public exposure of A.A. principles, not advertising for individual members. Press cooperation. Personal anonymity in public contacts is the cornerstone of our public policy. Tradition Eleven is a constant reminder that personal ambition has no place in A.A. Each AA member eventually begins to actively care about the preservation of our Fellowship.

“Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, constantly reminding us that it is principles, not individuals, that matter.”
The spiritual essence of anonymity is self-sacrifice. The subordination of personal goals to the common good is the essence of all Twelve Traditions. Why AA could not remain a secret organization. The main thing is principles, not personalities. One hundred percent anonymity in public contacts. Anonymity is true humility.

IN modern form The 12 Step program has been in effect since 1939, during which time it has helped millions of people get rid of addiction and get a chance at a new life. The program was created in 1935 in Chicago, originally used for treatment alcohol addiction in the Alcoholics Anonymous society created at the same time. Since 1953, the program has also been used for treatment drug addiction. Today, treatment of alcoholism and drug addiction using this method is recognized as effective and is used by rehabilitation centers around the world.

About the 12 Steps rehabilitation program

The difficulty of treating addiction is that a person cannot break out of the usual circle of ideas about life and gets used to his condition. The 12 Step program offers a way to change, a path for spiritual growth.

The goal of the program is to help a person understand the disease, admit his own defeat in the fight against addiction, seek help from people, and find the meaning of life. The program was created in a Protestant environment, and initially had a pronounced religious component.

Today, the idea of ​​a Higher Power should not be understood from a religious point of view; rather, it is the ideal image that each person strives for, and understands in his own way.

The Higher Power of the 12 Step program can be compared to yoga. To improve the body according to the yoga system, it is not necessary to accept the philosophy of Buddhism. Only yoga is a guide for improving the body, and the 12 Step program is a guide for spiritual development.

Description and main idea

The 12 step program promotes awakening in a person inner conscience, appeals to the human soul, promotes its growth. The success of the program depends on the person's desire to change. The method helps you comprehend your life, identify the source of the problem, and find the meaning of life.

12 Steps used in rehabilitation centers in groups Alcoholics Anonymous and drug addicts. Group participants have the opportunity to meet within the center, communicate, and share experiences. Both beginners and those who have recovered from addiction take part in the class.

A newcomer does not immediately become a member of the group. First, he is asked to attend several classes, familiarize himself with the situation in the group, the essence of the program and how it works. After he decides to become a participant in the program, he needs to choose a sponsor - a person to whom the addict can turn with all his questions and problems.

Sponsor - participant psychological program, who is at the stage of stable sobriety and has not consumed alcohol for more than a year. Sponsorship is necessary to make the steps easier for a newbie. Program participants typically continue to attend classes after recovery.
The video shows the essence of the 12-step program:

Stages

All 12 Steps of the program matter. The next step should be taken only after the previous Step has been comprehended and mastered. It should be noted once again that the program is not of a religious nature.

Step #1

Recognition of one's powerlessness, loss of control over the desire for alcohol.

This Step is the most difficult. It is this that serves as the main turning point in a person’s life line. Not everyone is able to take this step and say goodbye to their old life.

The transition to a sober life is associated with responsibility for those around you - children, parents, spouse. The result of all work on the program depends on how well this first step is mastered and thought out.

A dependent person must admit that his life is uncontrollable, reminiscent of a car without brakes, rushing into the abyss, along the way destroying the lives of people close to him.

Step #2

Awareness of the need external Force, capable of restoring sanity.

For atheists - an understanding, supported by examples from group members, that you can not drink and be happy.
At the second stage, a person must make sure that alcoholism can be overcome; with persistence, one can regain sanity and part with the madness that makes one repeat mistakes.

What if not madness can explain attempts to treat alcoholism, without a conscious desire to end this habit. Any method of treatment turns out to be powerless if a person has not fully realized his addiction and does not want to get rid of it.

Treatment without awareness can lead to a person losing confidence in his abilities. The Second Step should awaken in a person faith in himself, in the existence of a Force that can help him get out of the whirlpool of addiction.

Step #3

The decision to submit your will to the Force, acting person for the benefit of.

For atheists: they firmly decided to put an end to drinking, to learn from the experience of people who have learned to live without alcohol.
This decision means that it is necessary to accept what is given in life as it is.

You need to stop lamenting the impossible, rejoice in what you have, build relationships with loved ones based on common interests. This decision must not only be understood, but also accepted with the heart, believed with all your soul that if you make an effort, you can achieve what you want.

The Third Step is getting rid of stubbornness, selfishness, and the desire to withdraw into oneself. It is stubbornness and aggressiveness that deprive a person of the ability to contact the Force and contradict the very nature of man.

Step #4

Subject your life to introspection, dispassionately evaluate the true motives of your actions.

At this stage, the addict is subjected to critical assessment yourself, your values, principles or lack thereof. At Step 4, a person must understand what he is, realize the motives of his actions, find himself, hidden by layers of emotions, stubbornness, anger, and selfishness.

In that important period the addict must find the reasons for his irritation, grievances against the world, and understand what he really needs from life. The purpose of this Step is to identify the true reasons that pushed you to alcohol or drugs.

Step #5

Present the result of your work on yourself for people to judge.

Internal changes must move to new level, you need to admit your powerlessness in front of higher power, another person.

The patient must present the results of self-analysis of the previous 4 Steps not only to the Force and himself, but also to tell other people about them. In practice, the patient turns to a sponsor, who not only listens to him attentively, but also provides assistance with recommendations.

Confessing Step Five requires as much courage as deciding to begin the program. The sponsor chosen for confession must have certain qualifications.

Step #6

Willingness to correct and get rid of character flaws.

This step means understanding your shortcomings, coming to terms with yourself, but not indulging in your negative tendencies. A person, having taken the sixth Step, is able to see what an obstacle his own habits and character traits have become for him.

At this stage, he has to think about what makes him act contrary to common sense, what character defects provoke wrong decisions.

At this Step, a person is fully aware of his character defects and sees the possibility of further progress towards sobriety by controlling himself. By the end of the stage, the patient is fully prepared for changes, rushes with all his soul towards the Force - the perfect image created by his consciousness.

Step #7

The beginning of conscious action is a request for help addressed to a Higher Power.

For atheists, this step is a time to change habits, gain positive experience, and eradicate defects of their character.

Awareness of one's inadequacy and the desire to correct the situation evoke a desire to act. This is manifested by a willingness to wholeheartedly accept the new rules of life, to cut off the last threads connecting with addictions.

This step is very important, at this stage a person is already able to control his attachments, is able to analyze his actions regardless of emotions, and begins to live a spiritual life.

Step #8

Time to draw up a concrete action plan.

To complete Step No. 8, you need to clear your conscience of the burden of guilt. At this stage, all people affected by codependency need to be remembered by name. The patient must realize the full extent of the damage caused to other people, make a list of loved ones who suffered from his actions.

The addict must be prepared for the fact that not everyone will want to listen to his explanations and apologies. Not becoming embittered and accepting with patience a negative attitude towards oneself is not an easy task.

Step #8 – moral preparation to accept fair reproaches, accusations, rejection, and the opportunity to receive forgiveness. This forgiveness is the beginning of recovery; it removes a huge burden of guilt from a person and gives him the strength to live on.

Step #9

A time of active action, helping people who have suffered from the actions of the patient during alcohol or drug addiction.

Step No. 9 is the time to atone for the harm caused to loved ones. The addict at this stage completely changes the form of communication in the family, making every effort to make up for the lack of love for his children and wife.

During this period, a person already understands his responsibility to others. The task of this stage is to establish relationships with friends and relatives, to give from the heart, without expecting compensation, without thinking about how these steps towards application and forgiveness will be perceived.

Compensation for damage means not only material losses caused to a person, but also moral damage. At this stage, the participation of the sponsor is important; he will help you understand how to proceed in some difficult cases. When, for example, the affected person has already died, is in prison, and does not want to meet even to simply discuss the problem.

Step #10

It’s time to transform the energy of destruction into a creative force, to admit your mistakes, to control your addictions.

At this stage, you need to learn to control yourself in any situation, maintain all positive achievements, without allowing yourself to have breakdowns. It is necessary to analyze each of your actions, any change in mood that could lead to a relapse.

A person should strive for sincerity, self-discipline, and responsibility in every detail. The tenth step teaches you to maintain long-term, stable relationships with people, which is especially important for drug addicts; it brings harmony and spiritual comfort to life.

Step #11

Prayer, comprehension, trust, understanding the will of a higher Power.

For atheists - improvement.

Step No. 11 is the time of spiritual search, development of the talents and capabilities inherent in a person. By this Step, addicts have already developed their own spiritual world, but it is still only in its infancy.

The penultimate stage of treatment is a period of reflection, concentration, and peace. At this stage, false attachments to drinking buddies are easily destroyed, and communication with drug addict friends who do not want to change is stopped.

Step #12

A sincere desire to spread among patients with alcoholism and drug addiction knowledge about the way to get rid of slavish submission to habit.

This meeting gives the newcomer the necessary initial impulse, which will allow him to act effectively and persistently.

At this stage, a person completely changes spiritually. The always irritated, angry drug addict disappears, a person appears who is honest in communicating with other people, capable of true friendship, family life.

12 program steps

Advantages and disadvantages

The main benefit of the 12 Step program is that it explains how to live a sober life and offers the promise of complete recovery from addiction. The program step-by-step leads a person to himself, returns lost opportunities - family, career, hobbies.

The advantage of the program is that it has saved and continues to save many people around the world from alcohol and drug captivity.

Objections to the use of the 12 Steps for addiction treatment have come from two seemingly opposite poles - from militant atheists and radical believers. Some accuse the program of appealing to a higher Power, while others see it as a cult.

Apparently, this is a case of throwing out the baby with the bathwater. There is no denying the obvious - the 12 Step program works, and very successfully.