12 Step Facilitation
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Coastwise Recovery Center
Guiding You through the 12-Step Journey Integrated 12-Step Principles:
Coastwise Recovery Center incorporates 12-step principles in group therapy to gain a better understanding of the 12-step program during treatment. We have found that supplementing outside 12-step groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and/or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) can be extremely helpful for clients, as this will enable them to develop a supportive community outside of treatment. While there are non-12-step support groups, such as SMART and Refuge Recovery, we have found 12-step groups to be the most readily available online and in person, welcoming and found in most communities. 12 step meetings are free of charge.
At the core of the 12-step programs lies a storytelling culture. Individuals come together, sharing experiences, and supporting one another in the ongoing effort of recovery. Beyond overcoming alcoholism and addiction, many have discovered that these steps serve as a guide to living a valued life.
The 12 Steps – a Spiritual Path:
The 12 Steps, which began with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), is a spiritually based program, intended to help people recover from the effects of alcoholism and addiction. Other 12 step programs have since followed, including Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Cocaine Anonymous (CA), as well as Al-Anon, a program designed to help family members who are impacted by a loved one’s alcoholism and substance use.
These steps, central to the program, provide guidelines for leading a substance-free life, with each step corresponding to a specific virtue.
The 12 Steps
1) We admitted we were powerless over alcohol/drugs, 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/addicts and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
The Virtues of the 12 Steps
1) Honesty - Fairness and straightforwardness of conduct: adherence to the facts.
2) Hope - To expect with desire; something on which hopes are centered.
3) Faith - Complete confidence; belief and trust.
4) Courage - Firmness of mind and will in the face of extreme difficulty; mental or moral strength to withstand fear.
5) Integrity - The quality or state of being complete or undivided; soundness.
6) Willingness - Prompt to act or respond; accepted and done of choice or without reluctance.
7) Humility - Not proud or haughty; not arrogant or assertive; a clear and concise understanding of what we are, followed by a sincere desire to become what we can be.
8) Love - Unselfish concern that freely accepts another in loyalty and seeks his good to hold dear.
9) Discipline - Training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character; to bring under control; to train or developed by instruction.
10) Patience/Perseverance - Steadfast despite opposition or adversity; able or willing to bear; to persist in an understanding in spite of counter influences.
11) Awareness - Alive and alert; vigilance in observing.
12) Service - A helpful act; contribution to the welfare of others; useful labor that does not produce a tangible commodity.
Are the 12 Step Approach Evidenced Based?
The effectiveness of AA as an evidence-based treatment approach has been the subject of much debate and research. AA has been shown to have a positive impact on many individuals struggling with alcohol addiction. Numerous studies have found that participation in AA is associated with increased abstinence, improved mental health, and reduced relapse rates. Additionally, AA's approach is rooted in a set of evidence-based practices such as social support, peer accountability, and spirituality.
AA's effectiveness has also been challenged by some critics. Some studies have suggested that AA may not be as effective as other evidence-based treatments such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or medication-assisted treatment. Additionally, AA's success rate may vary depending on factors such as the individual's motivation, the severity of their addiction, and the quality of the support group they attend.
Overall, while AA may not be considered a strictly evidence-based treatment approach, its approach is rooted in evidence-based practices, and many individuals have found success through participation in the program. It is important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to addiction recovery, and what works for one person may not work for another. Therefore, it is essential for individuals struggling with addiction to explore a variety of treatment options and find the approach that works best for them.
The Healing Power of Spirituality
Research has found that spirituality can have a positive impact on overall well-being, although the specific nature of this relationship may depend on the individual and the context. Some studies have found that spirituality can lead to improved mental health outcomes, such as reduced anxiety and depression, increased self-esteem, and improved coping skills. Spirituality has also been linked to positive physical health outcomes, such as reduced blood pressure, improved immune function, and decreased mortality rates.
However, it is important to note that the relationship between spirituality and health is complex and multifaceted. Factors such as the individual's beliefs, values, and cultural background may influence the specific nature of this relationship. Additionally, the impact of spirituality on health outcomes may vary depending on the type and quality of spiritual practices and experiences.