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The personal nature of the behavioral issues that lead to seeking help in 12-step fellowships results in a strong relationship between sponsee and sponsor. As the relationship is based on spiritual principles, it is unique and not generally characterized as "friendship." Fundamentally, the sponsor has the single purpose of helping the sponsee recover from the behavioral problem that brought the sufferer into 12-step work<ref name="Sponsorship QA">''Sponsorship Q&A Pamphlet'', New York: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services</ref>, which reflexively helps the sponsor recover.
The personal nature of the behavioral issues that lead to seeking help in 12-step fellowships results in a strong relationship between sponsee and sponsor. As the relationship is based on spiritual principles, it is unique and not generally characterized as "friendship." Fundamentally, the sponsor has the single purpose of helping the sponsee recover from the behavioral problem that brought the sufferer into 12-step work<ref name="Sponsorship QA">''Sponsorship Q&A Pamphlet'', New York: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services</ref>, which reflexively helps the sponsor recover.

== Acceptance of a Higher Power ==
A primary tenet of 12-step recovery requires a member to surrender willful self-reliance (a characteristic of afflicted persons) and adopt a practice of reliance upon a "[[Higher Power]]" of the member's own understanding. Proponents of twelve-step programs allege that [[agnostic]]s and even [[atheism|atheist]]s can be helped by the program, as a member’s concept of a Higher Power may focus on the 12-step group itself. With time, any other entity, thing(s) or object(s) that aid a member in accepting their powerlessness over their problem, are claimed to become the Higher Power that will help them to recover. It is colloquially stated that any Power perceived as being greater than oneself will do, provided the power is not any other, single individual, or one's own unaided will.

Literature studied in most 12-step groups is limited to their own publications, as these groups claim no outside affiliation. The members of 12-step groups make the distinction that the groups are spiritual, and not religious. Some members of 12-step groups are also members of a wide variety of religious bodies. Nearly every meeting begins with the [[Serenity Prayer]], a prayer addressed to "God." Some critics also question the idea of giving up on self-reliance, which, they argue, results in a form of idealized despair. Others acknowledge a debt to the twelve-steps movement but do not have a culture of belief in God.




Revision as of 04:39, 1 October 2007

A Twelve-step program is a set of guiding principles for recovery from addictive, compulsive, or other behavioral problems, originally developed by the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) for recovery from alcoholism.[1] The Twelve Steps were originally published in the first edition of Alcoholics Anonymous ("The Big Book") in 1939; more than 25 million copies have been printed in many languages.[2] This method has been adapted as the foundation of other twelve-step programs such as Narcotics Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, Co-Dependents Anonymous and Emotions Anonymous. As summarized by the American Psychological Association, working the Twelve Steps involves the following.[1]

  • admitting that one cannot control one's addiction or compulsion;
  • recognizing a greater power that can give strength;
  • examining past errors with the help of a sponsor (experienced member);
  • making amends for these errors;
  • learning to live a new life with a new code of behaviour;
  • helping others that suffer from the same addictions or compulsions.

Overview of Twelve-Step Programs

The way of life outlined in the 12-steps has been adapted widely. The effects of A.A. recovery within the family unit providing improved quality of life resulted in fellowships like Al-Anon; substance-dependent people who did not relate to the specifics of alcohol dependency started meeting together as Narcotics Anonymous[3]; similar groups were formed for sufferers of cocaine addiction, crystal meth addiction and other chemical dependencies. Behavioral issues such as compulsion and/or addiction with sex, food, and gambling were found to be solved for some people with the daily application of the 12-steps in such fellowships as Nicotine Anonymous, Sexual Compulsives Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous and Emotions Anonymous. Other groups addressing problems with certain types of behaviors include Clutterers Anonymous, Debtors Anonymous and Gamblers Anonymous. Over fifty fellowships composed of millions of recovery members, all based in the same principles, are found around the world.

"After a while I began to wonder why I was not [happy] ... I decided to strive for my own spiritual growth. I used the same principles [Bill] did to learn how to change my attitudes. ... We began to learn that ...the partner of the alcoholic also needed to live by a spiritual program."

— "Lois's Story" in the Al-Anon "Big Book", a typical story of a sufferer finding fulfillment through application of the twelve steps[4]

The Twelve Steps

These are the original Twelve Steps as defined by Alcoholics Anonymous:[5]

  1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.
  2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
  3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
  4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
  5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
  6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
  7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
  8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
  9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
  10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
  11. 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. 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.

Other twelve-step groups have adapted these steps of Alcoholics Anonymous as guiding principles for problems other than alcoholism; in some cases the steps have been altered to emphasize particular principles important to those fellowships[6][7][8].

History

The first such program was Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.), which was begun in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith, known to A.A. members as "Bill W." and "Dr. Bob", in Akron, Ohio. They established the tradition within the "anonymous" Twelve-step programs of using only first names. The Twelve Steps were originally written by Wilson and represented Wilson's incorporation of the teachings of Rev. Sam Shoemaker about the Oxford Group's life-changing program.

As Alcoholics Anonymous was growing in the 1930s and 1940s and definite guiding principles began to emerge as the 12 traditions, a singleness of purpose emerged as tradition five: "Each group has but one primary purpose to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers." [9] Consequently, drug addicts who do not suffer from the specifics of alcoholism involved in Alcoholics Anonymous hoping for recovery technically are not welcome in 'closed' meetings for alcoholics only[10]. The reason for such emphasis on alcoholism as the problem is to overcome denial and distraction[11]. Thus the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous have been used to form many numbers of other fellowships for those recovering from various pathologies, each of which in term emphasizes recovery from the specific malady which brought the sufferer into the fellowship.

See Also Alcoholics Anonymous History

Non-12-Step Addiction Groups

One organization which is often confused with "Anonymous" twelve-step programs, due to the name similarities of its name — but is not one — is Narconon. Narconon is a branch of the Church of Scientology, presenting Scientology doctrine and practices as a therapy for drug abusers. Narconon does not use the Twelve Steps, and is not related to either Narcotics Anonymous (NA) or to Nar-Anon, despite the similarity of names.

There are a number of other groups available for recovery. Some of these are programs such as LifeRing, Women for Sobriety, Secular Organizations for Sobriety, and the AVRT method and all can all be found online.

The Twelve Traditions

Main article: Twelve Traditions

The Twelve Steps are accompanied by The Twelve Traditions of group governance as developed by Alcoholics Anonymous through its early formation. Most 12-step fellowships also adopted these principles as their structural governance. In AA, the empathetic desire to save other drunks resulted in a radical emphasis on service to other sufferers only. Thus "the only requirement for AA membership is the desire to stop drinking." Similar membership guidelines were adopted by other fellowships, with particular emphasis on freedom from alcohol because of the formative history of these traditions (note that alcohol is considered a drug in most substance-related twelve-step groups)[12][13][14][15].

The Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous:

  1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.
  2. 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.
  3. The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.
  4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.
  5. Each group has but one primary purpose to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
  6. 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.
  7. Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
  8. Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever non-professional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
  9. A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
  10. Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
  11. 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.
  12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

Meeting Process

One of the most widely-recognized characteristics of twelve-step groups is the emphasis on the self-admission that the attendee "has a problem". In this spirit, many members open their address to the group along the lines of, "Hi, I'm Pam and I'm an alcoholic" — a catchphrase now widely identified with support groups. This self-identification is the sole qualification for membership in the organization. See the twelve traditions.

Attendees at group meetings share their experiences, challenges, successes and failures, and provide peer support for each other. Many people who have joined these groups report they found success that previously eluded them, while others — including some ex-members — criticize their efficacy or universal applicability. This varied success rate, along with the fact that twelve-step programs have been associated with the belief in a higher power -- a belief often associated with religion -- has caused some controversy.

Twelve Step process

Twelve Step programs symbolically represent human structure in three dimensions: physical, mental, and spiritual. The disorders and diseases the groups deal with are understood to manifest themselves in each dimension. For addicts the physical dimension is best described by the "allergy-like bodily reaction" resulting in the inability to stop using substances after the initial use. For groups not related to substance abuse the physical manifestation could be much more varied including, but not limited too: agoraphobia, apathy, distractibility, forgetfulness, hyperactivity, hypomania, insomnia, irritability, lack of motivation, laziness, mania, panic attacks, poor impulse control, procrastination, self-injury, suicide attempts, and stress. The illness of the spiritual dimension, in all Twelve Step groups, is considered to be self-centeredness. This model is not intended to be a scientific explanation. It is only a model that members of Twelve Step organizations have found useful.[16][17]

The process is intended to replace self-centeredness with a growing moral consciousness and a willingness for self-sacrifice and unselfish constructive action.[17] In Twelve Step groups, this is known as a spiritual awakening or religious experience.[18] This should not be confused with abreaction, which generally only results in temporary change.[19] In Twelve Step groups, "spiritual awakening" is believed to develop, most frequently, slowly over a period of time.[20]

Sponsorship

In twelve-step programs, a sponsor is a more experienced person in recovery who guides the less-experienced aspirant ("sponsee" or variously, "sponsoree") through the process of the steps as a program of personal recovery. One of the first suggestions newcomers to 12-step meetings are offered is to secure a relationship with at least[21] one sponsor[22][21]. A vast array of publications from various fellowhips emphasize that sponsorship is a "one on one" relationship of shared experiences focused on working the 12 steps[23][24][25].

Many forms of sponsorship exist. Sponsors and sponsees participate in activities that lead to spiritual growth as defined by the twelve-step process. These may include practices such as literature discussion and study, meditation, and writing. Part of the final of the twelve steps is often interpreted to imply becoming a sponsor to newcomers in recovery. "Sponsorship, with its continuing interest in another alcoholic, often develops when the second person is willing to be helped, admits having a drinking problem, and decides to seek a way out of the trap. [21]."

"Sponsors share their experience, strength, and hope with their sponsees... A sponsor’s role is not that of a legal adviser, a banker, a parent, a marriage counselor, or a social worker. Nor is a sponsor a therapist offering some sort of professional advice. A sponsor is simply another addict in recovery who is willing to share his or her journey through the Twelve Steps."

— from NA's Sponsorship: Revised[26]

Sponsees typically do their Fifth Step with their sponsor. The Fifth Step, as well as the Ninth Step, have been compared to confession and penitence. Many, such as Michel Foucault, noted such practices "produces intrinsic modifications in the person" and exonerates, redeems, purifies them; it unburdens them of their wrongs, liberates them and promises their salvation.[27]

The personal nature of the behavioral issues that lead to seeking help in 12-step fellowships results in a strong relationship between sponsee and sponsor. As the relationship is based on spiritual principles, it is unique and not generally characterized as "friendship." Fundamentally, the sponsor has the single purpose of helping the sponsee recover from the behavioral problem that brought the sufferer into 12-step work[21], which reflexively helps the sponsor recover.


See also

References

  1. ^ a b APA Dictionary of Psychology, 1st ed., Gary R. VandenBos, ed., Washington: American Psychological Association, 2007.
  2. ^ Alcoholics Anonymous : the story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism. 4th ed. New York : Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, 2001. ISBN 1893007162. Available online at www.AA.org
  3. ^ The Basic Text Chapter 8 - "We Do Recover" pp 70-71: The Basic Text Fourth Ed. Van Nuys: Narcotics Anonymous World Services
  4. ^ How Al-Anon works for families and friends of alcoholics. Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. Virginia, 1995.
  5. ^ Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 59
  6. ^ http://www.na.org/bulletins/bull13-r.htm
  7. ^ Narcotics Anonymous Chronology at na-history.org. Note the 1953 Events Detailing step adapatation: NA emphasizes the unity by starting all steps with "we" [1]
  8. ^ Explanation of CMA's 12 Steps[2]
  9. ^ "Fifth Tradition of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions". A.A. World Services, Inc. Retrieved 2007-08-22.
  10. ^ "For Anyone New Coming to A.A.; For Anyone Referring People to A.A." Information on A.A. A.A. World Services, Inc. Retrieved 2006-06-15. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  11. ^ "Singleness of Purpose" (PDF). A.A. World Services, Inc. Retrieved 2007-08-22.
  12. ^ http://www.na.org/basic.htm
  13. ^ http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org/Pages/dangers.html
  14. ^ http://www.crystalmeth.org/index.php
  15. ^ http://www.ca.org/literature/allothermas.htm
  16. ^ Kurtz, Linda F. (1987). "Comparison of self-help groups for mental health". Health & social work. 12 (4): 275–283. ISSN 0360-7283. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ a b Ronel, Natti (2000). "From Self-Help to Professional Care: An Enhanced Application of the 12-Step Program". The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science. 36 (1): 108–122. doi:10.1177/0021886300361006. ISSN 1552-6879.
  18. ^ Roehe, Marcelo V. (2004). "Religious Experience in Self-Help Groups: the neurotics anonymous example". Psicologia em Estudo (in Portuguese). 9 (3): 399–407. ISSN 1413-7372. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  19. ^ Marmor, Judd (1980). "Recent trends in psychotherapy". American Journal of Psychiatry. 137 (4): 409–416. ISSN 0002-953X. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  20. ^ Alcoholics Anonymous (1976). "Appendix II. Spiritual Experience". Alcoholics Anonymous. Alcoholics Anonymous World Services. ISBN 0916856593. OCLC 32014950. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  21. ^ a b c d Sponsorship Q&A Pamphlet, New York: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services
  22. ^ Sponsorship: Revised Informational Pamphlet, Revised ed., Van Nuys, CA: Narcotics Anonymous World Services
  23. ^ New York CMA Sponsorship Pamphlet, New York: Crystal Meth Anonymous Intergroup[3]>
  24. ^ Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous Sponsorship Page[4]
  25. ^ Overeaters Anonymous Unity Intergroup Sponsorship Guidelines"[5]
  26. ^ Sponsorship:Revised - What does a Sponsor Do. Van Nuys: Narcotics Anonymous World Services
  27. ^ Kriz, Kerri-Lynn Murphy (2002). The Efficacy of Overeaters Anonymous in Fostering Abstinence in Binge-Easting Disorder and Bulimia Nervosa. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
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