Cracking the 12 Step Treatment Code

The secret to cracking the 12 Step treatment code is that there is no secret. 12 Step programs give you a step by step process to stopping an addiction. According to the Alcoholics Anonymous website, the 12 Step process relies on both understanding and working the steps. Each of the steps can be broken down into 12 simple words.

1. Powerless

Admit that you are powerless against the drug and the addiction. When you admit this to yourself is when you admit you need someone to help you. This is admitting the addiction has control of you and you are not controlling it.

2. Hopeful

When you realize there is something bigger than just you alone, you become hopeful. Hopeful, because there is help out there that can end the powerlessness in the face of the addiction. Sometimes this help comes in the form of a belief system, treatment center, or support group.

3. Surrender

Step 5 involves confessing to yourself and others the mistakes you’ve made as an addict.

You have to surrender yourself to something bigger than you. Ask for help. The something bigger can be a higher power, a treatment center, or even the program itself.

4. Introspection

Take an inventory of who you are and what you’ve done as well as what is wrong with you and your life. This is not an inventory full of blame. It is an honest one.

5. Confession

This is one of the hardest parts. You have to tell someone about what you have done, what you feel, and what you made other people feel. You admit to yourself, the higher power you believe in, and yourself the issues you have.

6. Willing

Be willing to ask for help and accept help when it is offered. It is not enough to know what you did or even why you did it, you have to accept help and accept change.

7. Humility

It takes humility to ask for help when you need it. After recognizing you need help, ask for it. Ask the group, the higher power you believe in, and those that can help.

8. Accountability

This is where you hold yourself accountable to all of the people your addiction has harmed. You need to be willing to be held responsible for your actions.

9. Fix

This is one of the most famous steps. You need to fix the things that you can. If you hurt someone then you need to make amends as long as doing it doesn’t hurt the person again. Some call this one of the most important of the 12 steps.

10. Continuation

Continue to evaluate what you are doing wrong, continue to change, and continue your progress towards sobriety.

The Stages of Change Model in 12 Step Drug Treatment

11. Prayer or Meditation

Commit to the cycle of self improvement using prayer, meditation and other tools at your disposal.

12. Share

Share what you know and your successes with others. Allow them the opportunity to change for the better as well.

How to Start

Part of cracking the code to 12 step treatment is knowing where to start. The easy way to start is by calling 1-800-895-1695.