If you have the desire to get what we offer, and the willingness to make an effort to get it, then you are ready to take certain steps. Here are the principles that have made our recovery possible:

1. We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction, that our lives had become unmanageable.

2. We have come to believe that a Power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity.

3. We made the decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as each of us understood Him.

4. We have taken a deep and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

5. We confessed to God, to ourselves and to another person the true nature of our mistakes.

6. We are fully prepared for God to deliver us from all these defects of character.

7. We humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.

8. We have made a list of all the people we have harmed and become willing to make amends to all of them.

9. We made direct amends to these people where possible, except when doing so could harm them or anyone else.

10. We continued to take a personal inventory and, when we made mistakes, promptly admitted it.

11. We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as each of us understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and for the strength to carry it out.

12. Having experienced a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to take this message to the dependent and apply these principles in all our affairs..

The first thing that will ruin us in our recovery is an indifferent or intolerant attitude toward spiritual principles. Three of them are absolutely essential for us - honesty, openness to new things and readiness. We can do a lot with them.

We consider our approach to the disease of addiction to be absolutely realistic, since the help of one addict to another has an incomparable therapeutic value. We consider our path to be practical, because no one is better able to understand and support an addict than a fellow addict. We believe that the sooner we face our problems in society, in everyday life, the sooner this society will accept us, the sooner we will become its responsible and useful members.

The only way to keep yourself from relapsing into active addiction is to avoid the first use. If you are like us, then you know that once is too much, and a thousand is never enough. We attach great importance to this, because we know that when we use drugs in any form or change one for another, we again release our addiction to freedom.

Thinking that alcohol is different from other drugs has caused so many addicts to relapse. Before coming to NA, many of us considered alcohol separately, but we cannot afford to be misled about it. Alcohol is a drug. We are people with the disease of addiction who must abstain from any drug in order to recover.

Many of us have somehow encountered the problem of drug addiction and alcoholism, which not only cripple the lives of people, but take away many millions of people every year. This is especially true for Russia, which is the only country in the world where there is no longer the concept of natural population growth, as in other countries. Russia is the only country in which there is a natural loss of about 500,000 people per year. And almost all of them died precisely because of alcoholism and drug addiction.

This does not mean that all of them used drugs, which include alcohol. The World Health Organization has recognized alcohol as the No. 1 drug because of its widespread availability. Tobacco is in 6th place.

Many people die at the hands of drug addicts and alcoholics as a result of quarrels and scandals, robberies, road accidents, etc. The use of drugs by parents has a negative impact on the health of children and their life expectancy.

The problem of alcoholism and drug addiction is very acute. In order to solve it, they created Society of anonymous alcoholics and drug addicts. This is a group of men and women who share their experiences, strengths and hopes with each other in order to help themselves and others get rid of alcoholism. These include both those who directly used or still use drugs, as well as their relatives, friends, or simply those who are not indifferent to this problem.

This community is not a commercial organization, is not associated with politics or religion and exists on donations from its members. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.

In their work, these groups using the 12 step program aimed at the spiritual reorientation of addicts. They admit their dependence on drugs and turn to God for a cure, for reparation for the damage they have caused to other people and for permission and help to convey healing knowledge to other addicts. Acceptance of a "higher power" or God is a prerequisite for the program, as they begin to realize themselves, their close relationship with God, as a result of which their worldview and lifestyle change.

This program appeared in the 30s of the 20th century in the United States and soon quickly spread throughout the world. It has existed in Russia for more than 20 years.

The 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous:

1. We admitted that we were powerless over alcohol, that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that only a Power greater than our own could bring us back to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
4. A careful and fearless moral inventory was made.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to some other person the true nature of our wrongs.
6. We fully prepared ourselves for God to deliver us from all these defects of character.
7. We humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all the people we had harmed and became willing to make amends to all of them.
9. Direct restitution was made to these people wherever possible, except in cases where it could harm them or anyone else.
10. They continued to take a personal inventory and, when they were wrong, they immediately admitted it.
11. Through prayer and meditation, we sought to deepen our conscious connection with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and for the power to do so.
12. Having experienced a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we have sought to carry this message to alcoholics and to apply these principles in all our affairs.

Admitting their powerlessness in the 12-step program over narcotic substances, addicts come thereby not only to the realization of their addiction, but also to the understanding that they need third-party help to get rid of it.

In the following paragraphs, they not only acknowledge the existence of God, but also commit their lives to Him, realizing that only by His grace can they eventually overcome this evil.

However this organization is not a sect, because it does not preach, that take place in churches. There is an understanding here that an alcoholic is a mentally ill person who needs love and support, lost in the labyrinths of fate. The program does not mention the name of God, thereby showing respect for various religious traditions and uniting people of different faiths in order to help return to normal life.

Alcoholics Anonymous has its own prayer: "God give me the intelligence and peace of mind to accept what I cannot change, the courage to change what I can, and the wisdom to tell the one from the other."

At the heart of the development of these groups there is also 12 traditions, which support these groups and form a benevolent relationship between its members:

1. Our common welfare must come first; personal recovery depends on the unity of Alcoholics Anonymous.
2. 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 don't give orders.
3. The only condition for becoming a member of Alcoholics Anonymous is a desire to stop drinking.
4. Each group should be completely independent, except in cases involving other groups or Alcoholics Anonymous in general.
5. Each group has but one primary purpose, and that is to bring our message to those alcoholics who are still suffering.
6. Alcoholics Anonymous should never endorse, fund, or lend the name of Alcoholics Anonymous to the use of any affiliated organization or outside company, lest issues of money, property, and prestige detract from our primary purpose.
7. Each group of Alcoholics Anonymous should be completely self-reliant, refusing outside help.
8. Alcoholics Anonymous should always remain a non-professional association, but our services may employ workers with certain qualifications.
9. Alcoholics Anonymous should never have a rigid system of government; however, we may create services or committees that report directly to those they serve.
10. Alcoholics Anonymous does not hold any opinion on matters not related to its activities; therefore, the name of Alcoholics Anonymous should not be drawn into any public discussion.
11. Our public relations policy is based on the appeal of our ideas, not propaganda; we must always remain anonymous in all our contacts with the press, radio and film.
12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, constantly reminding us that principles are more important than personalities.

Currently, the 12-step program exists in more than 150 countries around the world and has proven its effectiveness, through a spiritually oriented approach. It formed the basis of other similar programs that focus on a specific religion. The secret of this program lies in the fact that it affects not only the biological side of a person, but also his spiritual nature, which he forgot about, helps to restore the lost connection with God, and also helps in solving psychological and social problems. It is based on universal human values, such as faith, goodness, love, unity. Therefore, the program is universal for use in any country and for people with different religions.

Throughout the world, alcoholism is recognized as a severe progressive disease that adversely affects not only the physiology of a person, but also his mental state. Treatment of alcohol dependence is a laborious, complex and lengthy process. However, even after successfully completing a full course of rehabilitation, most alcoholics, returning to their usual society, start drinking again - alcohol again becomes the meaning of life. Strong motivation and awareness of the problem as such can help maintain remission for a long time. Today, the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous rehabilitation program is recognized as the most effective method, the basic concepts of which (the so-called Minnesota model) are used by many anonymous communities to restore dependent people.

The founders of the world's first group of anonymous alcoholics were two Americans - Robert Smith and Bill Wilson. They were both addicted to alcohol. In the hope of quitting drinking, men turned to official methods for help, but they turned out to be powerless.

It was the imperfection (at that time) of medicine that prompted them to create a completely different approach to solving the problem. So in 1937, the first society of people dependent on alcohol appeared, which guaranteed complete confidentiality to every person who came for help.

In just a year of the existence of the group of anonymous alcoholics, its founders have developed their own program of getting rid of addiction - "12 steps". Compared to harsh drug therapy, this rehabilitation method seemed simple enough, but this is only theoretical.

The anti-alcohol method of 12 steps to sobriety is based on working with the consciousness of an addicted person. He must recognize himself as an alcoholic and get rid of thoughts about alcoholic beverages, this is the only way to defeat the disease, but for such people it is extremely difficult to do this.

Those who have gone through all the stages and take a sober look at life completely change their worldview - the vicious circle is broken, there is a reassessment of values ​​​​and a return to reality.

Convinced of the effectiveness of their methodology, the founders of the anonymous community for dependent people began to write a book in which they outlined a clear, detailed program of 12 steps. The book "Alcoholics Anonymous" was published in 1939, since then not a single word has changed in it, since many years of experience in applying this methodology has confirmed its effectiveness.

The program explains the emergence of addiction quite simply (without bringing scientific arguments). Two properties of the brain play an important role in the development of alcoholism. The first is the return of a person to a state of balance (search for a way to achieve peace of mind). The second is that our brain remembers the shortest way to achieve the goal and follows it.

How Addiction Occurs

To understand how the 12 step program for alcoholics works, you need to understand why a person develops addiction.

A man or woman, being in a state of dissatisfaction, follows the impulses of the brain, which show the shortest path to achieving a comfortable state. Initially, to achieve peace of mind, the brain signals a person, for example, to take a bath, watch a comedy movie, or talk to a friend. Why, because he does not know any other, shorter way to a state of peace.

Ordinary people have normal, healthy interests (cinema, fishing, walking), which help them relax, rest, add vitality, energize. For example, on Friday, after a hard week of work, a person has an idea to visit the pool - this is a brain signal that the body is tired, it needs rest. Other people receive different signals, depending on their interests.

If a person drinks a glass of wine every evening with friends to relax, the brain remembers exactly this way. Initially, he mentally rushes time, his consciousness wants the evening to come soon, because there is a meeting with friends. There are no obsessive thoughts about alcohol yet. But some more time passes and the brain gives a clearer setting - you need to drink. Why would he come up with complex combinations, there is a shortcut to achieving balance and that's alcohol.

From a psychological point of view, the following is obtained - alcoholics have obsessive thinking (obsession of the mind), he gets up and lies down with the thought of alcohol, he is not interested in anything, his only meaning is alcohol.

The description of the physiological aspect of addiction in the program is as follows: alcoholism is an allergy, that is, an abnormal reaction of the body to the introduction of a substance. Unlike ordinary, healthy people, alcoholics, starting to drink, can no longer stop, their body gives out an inadequate reaction, demanding more and more booze.

The nature of alcoholism (within the program) was first described by Dr. Silkver. He put it this way: “If you can’t drink alcohol because of allergies, if you can’t stay sober because of obsessive thinking, then you are completely powerless over alcohol.”

The goals of the rehabilitation methodology

The principle of the technique is that the alcoholic treats himself on his own without third-party coercion. As part of the program, an impact is made on human consciousness, as a result of which the addict begins to discover other facets of life, changes his worldview, sees new healthy guidelines. Such a reassessment of values ​​makes it possible to fulfill oneself, to be a full-fledged member of society.

The 12 Step program is focused on group rehabilitation, as support from other participants, understanding, as well as their personal experience of dealing with addiction, gives confidence, strength and encouragement to overcome alcoholism.

The 12 Step Rehabilitation Program does more than just get rid of alcohol addiction, it teaches the alcoholic to manage their addiction and consciously control it.

A beginner becomes a member of the group only after attending 2-3 classes (sometimes more). Indeed, in order to become a full-fledged member of society and accept the truths on which all participants in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) “rely”, a beginner must understand the essence of the 12-step program, its work and, of course, get acquainted, get used to the situation in the group itself.

All newcomers who have become members of AA have sponsors, that is, they are assigned to a person (the same member), but who is in a long-term remission stage (a year or more not taking alcohol). The sponsor helps the newcomer understand the issues that concern him, makes it easier to follow and write the steps, and also shows by his own example that addiction can be brought under control.

In order for rehabilitation to be successful, a person must overcome each stage of the program step by step. If it is not possible to comprehend the previous stage, he does not proceed to the next one, and there is no third-party criticism against him, the person gives himself an assessment, this shows how much he has realized and accepted his problem. An active position, discussions with a psychologist and other group members, speaking your problem out loud, as well as sharing experiences - all this is an integral part of therapy, without which one cannot count on long-term sobriety.

The versatility of the 12-step program

Many believe that the 12-step rehabilitation model has a religious connotation, but this is not entirely true. This form of psychological influence is indeed based on deep faith, but not on religion with its unshakable canons, but on faith in oneself.

There are people who are deeply religious, and there are complete atheists, and it is impossible to make them believe in God, because it disgusts their convictions. Therefore, the twelve step program is based on faith - the stronghold that every person has deep inside. This faith is seen as a higher power, thanks to which one can gain sanity and "curb" an irresistible craving for alcohol. This makes it possible to form groups of completely different people - gender, age, religion do not matter.

The 12-step program is rightfully considered universal. This method is used to treat gambling, smoking, drug addiction and other addictions. Interestingly, even academicians and statesmen use this methodology.

Sergei Glazyev (member of the Russian Academy of Sciences) developed a strategy for Russia's economic growth based on the 12-step methodology. Glazyev himself, as an expert state manager, considers the 12-step mechanism a strategic breakthrough that will help the Russian Federation avoid further degradation.

Any program should be carried out in stages, and here are all twelve steps that an alcoholic must overcome.

Stages of the 12 step system

Each of the 12 stages has its own deep meaning, realizing that an alcoholic person will be able to regain his own independence from alcohol, get rid of obsessive thoughts and begin to build a new life free from alcohol.

The most difficult in terms of perception and awareness is the first step of the program, where the alcoholic must accept his complete impotence over alcohol. It is extremely difficult for an addicted person to recognize himself as such on his own, which is why these people need a sponsor who will help them accept the problem and fight it in the future.

In addition, for better understanding, all group members are advised to visualize their problems. Beginners are advised to compose an alcobiography, so to speak, to visually describe the entire path of personal degradation. Further, taking each step, the participants make lists or tables where they briefly write down their life aspects (include relatives who have been offended, defects and positive aspects of character, damage done to loved ones, and so on).

Having successfully completed all 12 steps, a person has the right to leave the group, but, as you know, there are no former alcoholics, therefore, returning to their usual environment, they often experience a “breakdown”. However, it should be noted that many members of the group remain members of the team for decades - after getting rid of addiction, they supervise newcomers, give lectures, share their own experiences, help alcoholics take the next step on the road to recovery.

Let's take a closer look at each step of the program.

First stage

The dependent person is aware of his own impotence. He admits that he is unable to control the unbridled craving for alcohol. Mental and physical dependence on alcohol (mind possession and allergies) has made him a drunkard who is unable to manage his own life.

Second phase

Finding faith and sanity. First of all, you need to believe in higher powers, recognize the existence of more powerful forces than your own - God, family, close friend, what exactly will be chosen does not matter, the main thing is to gather your courage, ask for help and believe that everything succeed. Gradually, a person’s beliefs change, he begins to believe in the higher power he has chosen, that it will help him return to a healthy, full life.

The second stage is also carried out in writing. Writing the steps at step 2 of the program is handwritten answers to questions (for example, is a person ready to believe in higher powers, is he satisfied with life, can he ask for help, etc.). The main thing here is to open up, talk about the problem and ask a higher power to help deal with it.

Third stage

Forming a deep trusting relationship with a higher power. In fact, this is a true faith in healing, to which a person must go no matter what. He is firm in his position to stop drinking, his convictions are unshakable, higher powers will help him achieve independence and gain sanity.

Fourth stage

The main goal is introspection. On one side of the sheet, the positive aspects of character are written, and on the other, personality defects. A person needs to understand who he is, what guides him in life and what caused his alcoholism. Only when you fully understand yourself can you move on to the next step.

Fifth stage

Another difficult step - a person needs to voice the results of introspection, open up to a higher power and other members of the group. This is the so-called confession of an alcoholic. It is important for him to understand and admit his mistakes in order to be able to work on them together with the higher power that he has chosen for himself.

Sixth stage

An alcoholic comes to a clear realization that changes in his life are necessary, he is ready to follow a higher power and will not deviate from the intended path. He understands and accepts his shortcomings, but at the same time he does not forget about the positive aspects of his character. For clarity, resources (positive qualities) are written on one side of the sheet, and negative traits (ineffective behavior) on the other.

seventh stage

Readiness for conscious action. Having humbly admitted mistakes, a person begins to work on himself - a struggle is being waged with personal defects, addictions and new positive experience is gained. This is a step, having reached which a person is already able to take control of his own impotence.

Eighth stage

Building relationships. An alcoholic makes a list of names of people who have suffered from his addiction. It is also necessary to draw up an action plan, decide how he will correct the damage caused (this can be a sincere apology, payment of a monetary debt, return of stolen items, and so on). But here you need to be prepared for the fact that not every person wants to accept a refund (the offense is too great).

Ninth stage

Error correction. The plan drawn up in the eighth stage is being put into action. A person must strictly follow his points, even if close people do not perceive, are critical of the changes that occur. If the plan says to improve relations with relatives, then you need to fulfill it, and not expect any compensation from them - everything is done disinterestedly, with love, from the heart.

Tenth stage

Self control. An alcoholic must maintain sanity in all situations - not to succumb to temptation, not to look for quick ways to achieve moral comfort. For example, if earlier, with dissatisfaction, anger, resentment, self-pity, he achieved comfort through alcohol, today he finds other, healthy ways to peace of mind.

Eleventh stage

The penultimate step is the stage of self-improvement. Spiritual growth, focus on one's own life, achieving personal comfort and detachment from past negative attachments. The society (environment) is changing, alcoholic friends remain outside of it.

Twelfth stage

The last step is healing, a complete reversal of consciousness. Having gone all the way and gaining knowledge, a person needs to continue to improve himself and share his own experience with beginners. Now he himself can be a sponsor.

12 Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous

Becoming a member of A.A., each member of the group must strictly follow the traditions in it:

• The unity of the group is the key to a successful recovery;
• There are no other authorities besides a higher power;
• Sincere desire to get rid of addiction;
• Each group is an independent cell;
• The goal is the same - to help everyone who wants to overcome powerlessness over alcohol;
• Go to the intended goal in spite of everything;
• No outside help - rely only on your own strength;
• AA is a non-professional organization that can attract narrow specialists;
• Group management is the prerogative of the participants themselves;
• An appositional society, no public disputes, discussions - only questions of AA activity are considered;
• No public propaganda, only public coverage of the principles and ideas of AA without advertising of its specific members;
• Anonymity is the main tradition. Personal goals as self-sacrifice go to the benefit of the public.

The advantages of the "12 Steps" program are obvious - it does not just help to overcome addiction, but teaches you how to manage, control your addiction, and adapts a person to a new society. However, some skeptical people see disadvantages in such rehabilitation.

Atheists see forced religiosity as the main disadvantage (although this is not so, faith here is in no way intertwined with religion). Deeply religious people, on the other hand, are convinced of sectarian propaganda, although Alcoholics Anonymous has never done this.

Whatever you say, the result is the same - the program has been working, and for several decades now.

If it is not possible to read the book "12 Steps", you can watch the TV show "About the main thing" online on the Psychology TV channel 21. In it, the presenter Eduard Sagalaev talks with a narcologist Yakov Marshak and the topic of their conversation is just a 12-step program. A separate issue is devoted to each of the 12 steps of this rehabilitation technique.

The 12 STEPS program is truly one of the greatest inventions of the 20th century. This is a universal program for the treatment of all types of addictions associated with the use of chemicals and more. Here: drug addiction, alcoholism, dependence on drugs (tranquilizers, inhibitors, sedatives), as well as various types of addictions that are not caused by the use of chemicals. The program works miracles that are not available to traditional therapy with all its abundance of modern equipment, drug base and qualified personnel. Although, in certain cases, all this is quite productively combined with 12 step program.

The program was created in the first half of the last century by two alcoholics from the USA and their followers. After some time, drug addicts also adopted it, seeing the result of the 12 STEPS program on their brothers innumerable. And by the mid-1950s, the whole world had adopted this simple but very effective program. Here you can long and eloquently describe the merits of "our panacea". But, before delving into the principles of its action, it would be fair to mention the main problems of chemically dependent people; about the concept of the disease and aspects of the life of the victims of the "green snake" who fall under the blow of this insidious disease.

nothing but sickness

- this is the inability of a person to experience difficult moments and cope with problems without changing consciousness by introducing chemicals in order to step over the so-called "negative feelings" (fear, pain, anger, insecurity). In the vast majority of drug addicts and alcoholics, the disease is inherited. That is, genetically a person is predisposed to a constant feeling of discomfort, and everything connected with it, due to a lack of the "hormone of happiness" (endogenous opiates). And this person will always strive to fill this deficit in an artificial way. It does not matter for what reason the addict tries drugs or alcohol for the first time. The important thing is that he will do it again and again because he will like the feeling of extraordinary lightness and confidence. And it's not his fault! This person has simply never felt anything like it, and will again strive to reproduce this state. At first, the use will be episodic, to relieve tension, or to feel euphoric. Over time, things will change: alcohol/drug tolerance will increase; there will be a sense of superiority over those who do not use; use will become systemic, requiring ever-larger doses. The next stage will be the loss of control over the use; the extraction of substances and their use will become an end in itself. Further, the circle of interests narrows (our patient has not communicated with old friends for a long time, only those who are also “bad” are interested). Later, being sober becomes unbearable. The addict uses no longer for in order to enjoy (he has not experienced euphoria from taking chemicals for a long time), but to alleviate the physical and mental suffering associated with the consequences of its use (, hangover, problems with the law, tense family situation, endless guilt, etc. d.). And then it only gets worse: paranoia, insanity, suicide attempts ... But, the good news is that there is a cure. And it really works! Proof of this are the millions of people who are recovering around the world who have been helped 12 step program.

not a medical program...

The program is not medical, but spiritual. Therefore, it cannot be considered as a recipe that is the same for everyone. Each recoverer requires an individual approach, but the principles practiced by the 12 steps are mandatory for all participants in the healing process. Yes, recovery is a process, not an event. And don't let the following statement scare you, but chemical addiction is an incurable disease. As well as progressive and fatal. And it leaves an imprint on all spheres of activity of a person suffering from it: on the physical state, psychological, emotional; touches the spiritual side of the personality (the desire to satisfy only one's needs, indifference, self-centeredness, immoral acts). The social aspect suffers no less: the addict is only interested in drugs and people associated with it; all other "characters" become useless. And the person stops communicating with "normal" people, except when it comes to his personal interests. So this one program teaches a person to honestly look at his life, internal and external; take responsibility for their actions and, most importantly, not harm themselves or those around them. This is a primitive formulation, a little exaggerated. But those who have actually faced the problem of drug addiction and alcoholism will understand what this is about.

12 step program

Let's look at the basic principles of our main weapon in the fight for sobriety. This is one of the important aspects in 12 step program.

FIRST STEP: We have admitted that we are powerless over our addiction. Recognize that our lives have become unmanageable.

No one could convince us that we are addicts. Now we need to make this confession ourselves. We need to realize that we are sick and that the disease has serious consequences.

SECOND STEP:We have come to believe that only a power greater than our own can restore us to sanity.

We have already admitted that it is not about our addictions (drugs, alcohol, games), but about our disease. Now, in search of an opportunity to start a new life, we need to seek help from a power greater than ourselves (principles of the program, spiritual mentor, God, other addicts with a long experience of sobriety, etc.), as we have already seen that our own willpower is not enough for us.

THIRD STEP: We made the decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood him.

We are learning to trust. We try to let events take their course, and do not try to control everyone and everything for the sake of our addiction, as we did before, relying only on our selfishness. We learn to be ready to take responsibility for our decisions and actions.

FOURTH STEP: We have examined ourselves deeply and fearlessly from a moral point of view.

The goal of careful and fearless exploration is to sort through our intricacies and contradictions in our lives in order to find out who we really are. For the first time, we will look at ourselves honestly, trying to explore our weaknesses and strengths.

FIFTH STEP: We have confessed to God, to ourselves, and to some other person the true nature of our delusions.

In this step, we gain freedom by honestly looking at our past, sharing the most intimate with a loved one, and acknowledging this before God, as we understand him. For many years we refused to accept the truth about ourselves. Now everything is starting to change.

SIXTH STEP:We are fully prepared for God to deliver us from all these defects of character.

Readiness for action is what we are aiming for in this step. We already know that drugs/alcohol are not the cause of our troubles. These are our character defects and weaknesses that we discovered and acknowledged in Steps 4 and 5. Now we want to get rid of everything that burdens us, but first we need to prepare for this, so that without fear we can step towards something new and unknown, abandoning the pain and suffering we are used to.

SEVENTH STEP:We humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.

We recognize that we are not perfect. And without undue strictness to ourselves, guided by the willingness to change, obtained in the 6th step, we move on to action. Relying on the experience of our friends who have already taken this step, and the support of a power greater than our own, we receive courage, strength and hope to overcome our shortcomings.

EIGHTH STEP: We made a list of all the people we had harmed and became willing to make amends to all of them.

To move on to the next stage of recovery, we need to learn to forgive other people, ourselves, and ask for forgiveness for the harm done to others. In this step, we make a list of all the people who were harmed during our active addiction and prepare ourselves to make amends to all of them.

NINTH STEP: We have personally made amends to these people wherever possible, except when doing so could harm them or anyone else.

We correct the mistakes of the past, getting rid of the oppressive feelings of guilt and remorse. Thus, we demonstrate our desire to live in a new way.

TENTH STEP: We continued to introspect and when we made mistakes, we immediately admitted it.

In order not to fall into the trap of the former destructive way of thinking, we continue to analyze our feelings, thoughts and behavior. We need to learn to immediately admit our mistakes and correct them.

ELEVENTH STEP: Through prayer and reflection, we tried to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us to do and for the power to do so.

Throughout recovery, as we complete steps 1 through 10, we gain an understanding of God as a power greater than our own. Program " 12 STEPS not religious, but spiritual. And we definitely need to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understand it, in order to continue to develop our spiritual essence.

STEP TWELVE:Having achieved spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we have sought to carry the message to other addicts and to apply these principles in all our affairs.

Our main task is to start a fundamentally new life. By working through the previous steps, we have received the tools of recovery. The time has come to finally and unconditionally let these miracles into all spheres of our activity. Thanks to 12 Step one, we begin to live in a new way, bringing the message of recovery to those addicts who are still suffering, thereby reinforcing our faith that we are on the right path.

All these steps are worked out systematically, one by one. But in fact, the addict begins to learn to use all these principles as soon as he begins recovery through this program.

Program addiction treatment 12 steps was created in 1935 by an American physician and his friend. Today it enjoys great popularity all over the world, being a "handbook" for members of the Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous communities.

About what 12 step program

Its primary task is for people suffering from chemical addiction to find the strength and honesty to admit their dependent condition, and then realize the impossibility of self-healing without outside help.

As the program progresses, in an effort to heal, a person turns to “something more powerful than himself” (c) - some higher power. It is she who becomes the catalyst for all the changes that will occur in it in the future.

The addict works on himself, analyzes his past, recognizes his responsibility for his own life and everything that happens in it.

He admits wrong to the people he has ever harmed and seeks to make things right by doing good deeds.

As you ascend from one stage to another, spiritual growth occurs, a person accepts a new system of moral values, gains control over his inclinations and actions. During addiction treatment 12 steps reorients the dependent person. Having changed internally, the addict begins to help beginners, conveying to them his knowledge of the effectiveness of participation in the program.

12-step program: who can participate

Currently 12 steps in different variations is used to help those addicted to alcohol, drugs and toxic substances.

There is a separate program "12 steps" for relatives of people suffering from chemical addictions. Participation in it helps them cope with the state of the so-called "co-dependence", when an acute experience for a loved one suffering from alcoholism or drug addiction leads to the fact that the co-dependent person plunges into the problems of the addict, experiences an exaggerated sense of responsibility for him, hard experiences every relapse of the disease, and in the end, he lives not his own, but someone else's life, sinking deeper and deeper into depression.

Steps

Briefly describe everything 12 stepsaddiction treatment and alcoholism.

Step 1. Recognition of the dependent state and the inability to control the craving for psychoactive substances by willpower.

Step 2. Turning to a higher power for help. The highest power can be a god, the forces of nature, an astral entity, etc.

Step 3. A person personifies (represents) this higher power and entrusts himself to it.

Step 4. The addict examines himself and his behavior from the standpoint of morality.

Step 5. The addict finds and admits the real reason for what happened to him in the past.

Step 6. The addict prepares for the changes that should happen to him.

Step 7. Serious work begins on yourself, your shortcomings and mistakes of the past.

Step 8. The participant makes a list of people he has ever harmed and internally prepares to atone for his guilt before them.

Step 9. The addict does what he wants to do and does good deeds for other people.

Step 10. The addict examines himself again and again, identifying his mistakes and correcting them along the path already traveled.

Step 11. The addict continues to improve himself, trying to make his behavior and thoughts better.

Step 12. The person shares knowledge about the program and its options with other addicts and helps them get on the path to recovery.

Clinic "Health": how drug addiction is treated according to the 12-step program

Participation in the community of Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous is an integral part of getting rid of chemical addictions, used in the narcological clinic "Health".

The leaders are chemical addiction counselors - drug treatment center employees who in the past actively used drugs or alcohol themselves, but were able to gain control over their addiction, and today adhere to a healthy lifestyle.