Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a guidebook to deal with life’s problems?  We have that in the 12 step program.  Whether a person is addicted to alcohol or drugs or even for other problems in life such as gambling, overeating, financial difficulties and behavior problems, there is a set of ethical principles set up in a 12 step program to guide us through the stress periods of those times when we might otherwise relapse.

The 12 step program was first set up through Alcoholics Anonymous in the 1930s.  After the 12 step program was released in a book in 1939, other groups began to use it as a guide for their own needs.  Today, the 12 step program is one of the most successful guidelines there is.

The 12 step program consists of the following principles: admitting, believing, deciding, seeking.

Out of these four principles come the 12 steps that lead to success.  Admitting we are powerless, admitting we have a problem, believing we can be restored, making a moral inventory, admitting we are wrong, deciding to make the change, seeking the guidance of a higher power, making amends to others we have hurt (provided doing so does not injure them further, an individual case by case decision), continued accountability of ourselves and practicing the principles on a daily basis.

Because so many drug situations are different, a 12 step program is available for many types: alcohol, cocaine, narcotics, crystal meth, chemically dependent, marijuana and even nicotine.  Each comes with a set of guidelines and a support group that consists of others who have gone through what the newest members have so that support and cheerleading, accountability and hope are available to all.

Not everyone who seeks recovery believes in spirituality but that does not stop the success of the 12 step program.

Believing in one’s self, that he or she is worthy of second chances and willing to be accountable makes all the difference.  When a person’s faith in himself is restored, when he sees his life as worth living, when he seeks forgiveness not only from others but from himself, he finds peace, acceptance, joy and hope.  All of these open up new windows of opportunity in life, love, relationships, talent and employment.  All of these close the door to a relapse and lets the enemy (the addiction) know that the person has new armor and new battle gear and can not be overthrown so easily again.  Peace, acceptance, joy and hope: these are the foundation of an addict’s successful 12 step program.