The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous: Understanding the Basics and Exploring the Principles

Addiction isn’t a choice. While this might seem obvious now, it was a revolutionary concept in 1939 when the book Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered from Alcoholism was published. Known as the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), this publication transformed the conversation about alcoholism and introduced the Twelve Step model of recovery to the public. This model has since been adapted to help people with various addictions and compulsive behaviors, including Al-Anon/Alateen, a program for families and friends affected by a loved one’s drinking.

What Are the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous?

The Twelve Steps are a set of guiding principles that outline a course of action for addressing alcoholism, drug addiction, and other compulsive behaviors:

1. Admitting Powerlessness: We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Belief in a Higher Power: Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Turning Over to Higher Power: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
4. Moral Inventory: Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admission of Wrongs: Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Readiness for God to Remove Defects: Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Asking God to Remove Shortcomings: Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Making Amends: Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Direct Amends: Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continued Inventory: Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. Prayer and Meditation: Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Spiritual Awakening and Carrying the Message: Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

How Did the Twelve Steps Start?

The Twelve Steps were inspired by the Oxford Group, a spiritual movement popular in the early 20th century. Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith, the founders of AA in 1935, adopted the Oxford Group’s principles of absolute honesty, purity, unselfishness, and love, along with public sharing and confession. They tailored these principles into what became the Twelve Steps and the fellowship of AA.

What’s the Purpose of the Twelve Steps?

The primary goal is to recover from compulsive, out-of-control behaviors and restore manageability and order to life. The Twelve Steps help individuals identify the underlying issues driving their addiction and work towards resolving them through honesty, humility, acceptance, courage, compassion, forgiveness, and self-discipline.

How and Why Do the Twelve Steps Work?

According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, “Twelve Step facilitation therapy is a tried-and-true proven approach.” The Steps encourage individuals to take an honest look at themselves, dismantle their egos, and rebuild their lives with a focus on positive behavioral change, emotional well-being, and spiritual growth.

What Are the Twelve Traditions?

The Twelve Traditions complement the Twelve Steps by providing guidelines for maintaining healthy relationships within AA groups and with society. These traditions emphasize unity, anonymity, and mutual support, ensuring that the focus remains on recovery rather than personal differences.

Do You Have to Be Religious to Follow the Twelve Steps?

No. While the Twelve Steps have spiritual roots, they have been adapted to be inclusive of all beliefs. The term “Higher Power” is used to accommodate various interpretations, whether it be nature, the universe, fate, karma, or a support system.

In Step One: What Does It Mean to “Admit Powerlessness”?

Admitting powerlessness means recognizing that you need help and cannot overcome addiction alone. It is about accepting the disease’s impact on your life and being open to relying on a support system for recovery.

How Long Does It Take for the Twelve Steps to Work?

There is no set timeline for completing the Twelve Steps. They are meant to be worked through sequentially, but the pace varies for each individual. Some may take breaks between steps, while others may continue to revisit them throughout their lives.

What Are the Pros and Cons of the Twelve Steps?

Pros:

• Widely known and established, providing a structured and organized approach.
• Access to a supportive network of peers.
• Free intervention for those in need, making it accessible to many.

Cons:

• Some individuals may not prefer group settings.
• Lack of official shared success rates due to the anonymous nature of the group.
• May not address all needs of those with co-occurring mental health issues.

Are There Alternatives to the Twelve Steps?

Yes, there are several alternative groups and approaches identified by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, including:

• Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART Recovery)
• Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS)
• LifeRing Secular Recovery
• Moderation Management
• Women for Sobriety
• Refuge Recovery
• The Wellbriety Movement

These groups offer different philosophies and methods, allowing individuals to choose the approach that best suits their needs.

By understanding and exploring the Twelve Steps, as well as considering alternative methods, individuals struggling with addiction can find a path to recovery that works for them.