12 Steps of Al-Anon for Addiction
The 12-step model was first introduced in The Big Book by Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.). This 12-step model was originally used in alcohol addiction treatment to specifically treat the root problems of alcoholism. Fortunately, the 12 steps of Al-Anon have expanded to treat various forms of substance abuse throughout the years. The creators of this model, Bill Wilson and Bob Smith, believed that long-lasting sobriety was only possible when these steps were completed. Because the program has been successful in helping numerous individuals get and stay sober, our Banyan Lake Worth rehab offers a 12-step program to help patients meet their recovery goals.
What Are the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions?
The basic premise of the Al-Anon 12 steps is that people can help one another achieve and sustain sobriety but that healing cannot come about unless these individuals surrender to a higher power. The higher power does not have to be God. It can be as simple as the community of 12-step meetings or a different version of a higher power fit for your type of spirituality.
The Al-Anon twelve steps can be a powerful and helpful treatment modality for many people. However, some struggle with the religious aspect of 12-step programs. This is why our facility not only offers a faith-based recovery program, but at our Lake Worth drug rehab, we also offer non-religious alternatives to ensure that clients of all faith backgrounds feel comfortable.
The 12 steps of al-non are outlined in the Big Book. The program emphasizes the importance of completing all these steps (with the first three consistent) to complete recovery. The A.A. 12 steps are as follows:
- We admitted we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
- Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being, the exact nature of our wrongs.
- We’re entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
- Continued to take personal inventory and, when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
- Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
- Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
The twelve traditions provide guidelines for relationships between members and the people in their lives. Questions of finance, relationships, and purpose are also addressed within the traditions. There is both a short and long form. The short form is as follows:2
- Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.
- For our group purpose, there is but one ultimate authority — a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
- The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.
- Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.
- Each group has but one primary purpose — to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
- An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
- Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
- Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever non-professional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
- A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
- Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
- Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films.
- Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.
Our Florida 12-Step Program
Our structured yet adaptable 12 steps to addiction recovery are designed to meet each patient’s specific needs and requirements. The purpose of this program is to help patients progress through the stages of their recovery while discovering ways to cope with addiction cravings that work for them. Everyone’s experience with drug and alcohol dependence is different, and that is why we offer unique forms of addiction treatment in Lake Worth, like our 12-step model of treatment, to help patients get sober and stay sober.
However, our 12-step program for addiction is only one of the numerous services offered as part of our levels of care. Most patients undergo medically assisted detox before our 12-step program and other rehab programs. This treatment offers medical assistance and 24-hour supervision to patients who are undergoing uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
Our medical staff leads these treatments and administers medication (as needed) and other forms of care as required. Medical detox is a crucial first step in the recovery process, as it mitigates patients’ withdrawal symptoms and cravings, helping them begin their formal treatment with a clean slate.
Our residential rehab offers inpatient treatment that requires patients to live at our facility for 28 days, separating them from distractions and temptations that may exist in their homes. While in this program, patients will be able to enjoy the various amenities our facility has to offer, as well as individual and group therapy sessions. Our 12-step meetings are incorporated into this phase of recovery.
Finding 12-Step Meetings Near Me
Addiction recovery is unique to each individual, and everyone progresses through the 12 steps at a different pace. To help each of our clients successfully complete their rehab programs, our team of experts will work with them individually and in group settings to ensure they have the guidance and support they need.
If necessary, our team members will work with the client to adapt the 12 steps to meet their needs. Once the 12-step addiction program is complete, clients should feel more motivated to continue their treatment and feel more confident about the idea of sustaining an addiction-free life.
Our BHOPB detox and addiction services are designed to help patients achieve sobriety and stay sober long after they have completed their treatment at our facility. We want to ensure that patients learn the source of their addiction and learn relapse prevention strategies and stay motivated after rehab.
The 12-Step Program is just one method of addiction treatment offered at our Palm Beach County rehab. For more information about our services, contact Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches today.
Sources:
- A.A. – The Twelve Steps
- A.A. – The Twelve Traditions
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