The 12 Step Program

The 12 Step program is the most popular, and possibly the most misunderstood, self help program in the world.

image: young woman in pain from heavy drinking

With a beginning in the late 1930's, it was developed by two alcoholics who were looking for a solution to their alcohol problem.

Since then, the 12 Step program has flourished into over 1300 programs all around the world.

Nearly every addiction, obsession, physical or mental disorder, defect, disability, disease, and emotion has a 12 step self help program of some sort to support it.

It may seem excessive but in actuality, the vast numbers of groups reveals the true success of the 12 Step program. It can be applied to virtually any area of life, helping people of all races, colors and creeds.

You may be asking yourself: What are the 12 Steps and how do they help to combat addiction? Are they religious programs? How much do they cost? Do they really work?

All of these are valid questions. Nearly every person currently apart of a 12 Step program has probably asked a few of these questions themselves at one time or another. It is normal to be apprehensive, especially if you have little to no experience with a program of this nature.

We all have seen the movie stars, rock stars, politicians and many others battle drug and alcohol addictions, go through the motions of rehab and then a 12 step program only to eventually fall back into their old behaviors again.

Millions of Americans misuse or are dependent on alcohol or drugs. Most of them have families who suffer the consequences, often serious, of living with this illness. If there is alcohol or drug dependence in your family, remember you are not alone.

image: young man showing stress from alcoholism

The trade papers, gossip columns, magazines and celebrity television and internet sites expose in great detail the demise of these poor souls. These negatives are good for magazine sales and website hits but bad for the 12 step program. It gives false evidence that the 12 step program doesn't work.

What these gossip venues don't talk about are the ten, twenty or hundred private successes for every one, very public, failure. And even then, a slip or relapse doesn't necessarily mean absolute failure but possibly only a temporary setback for the individual affected.

Not only is alcoholism a widespread disease that directly or indirectly leads to premature death, but that death from alcoholism is preventable. Think about this for a moment. Millions upon millions of people throughout the world suffer from the unhealthy and devastating effects of alcoholism. And all of this suffering, pain, and destruction is preventable. Wake up people who drink excessively but who are not yet alcohol dependent. You can prevent yourself from a life of addiction if you get professional treatment immediately!

Leaving controversy and debate aside, let's talk more about the 12 step program and answer some common questions. The twelve steps are a process of inner growth, never completed, but lived one day at a time. There is no great mystery to the steps, just a set of simple principles that are practiced daily to achieve the desired result: freedom from (whatever ails you here).

Obviously, there are twelve of them and depending on which support group you attend; the group objective may be different (freedom from alcohol and/or drugs, life issues, etc.) but the process is relatively the same.

Youth drug and alcohol use cuts across all ethnic, geographic, and socioeconomic lines. Youth experience pressure to use alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs at increasingly early ages. In fact, in one survey, adolescents ages 12 to 17 named drugs—along with social and academic pressures—as the most important problem they face.

Taking one step at a time, usually at ones own pace, an inner change gradually takes place that relieves the sufferer where nothing else could. But attendance at a few meetings won't change your life forever.

It is not a graduation program where certificates of completion are handed out. It is not a cure. It is not a religious program that requires a previous understanding of the bible, the Koran, or any other holy book. There are no requirements, dues or fees. There are no leaders, C.E.O.'s or owners.

Families with alcohol and drug problems usually have high levels of stress and confusion. High stress family environments are a risk factor for early and dangerous substance use, as well as mental and physical health problems.

It is completely self supporting by volunteered donations only. The 12 Step program doesn't demand that you believe in anything. All it asks is that you keep an open mind. That's it.

Overall, the 12 Step program is a method of substitution that can help anyone who is willing to be helped. It has helped millions of people recover from conditions that otherwise could have possibly resulted in their deaths.

Among workers in the United States, 52.5 million (46.0 percent) indicated that they would be more likely to work for an employer who performs drug or alcohol tests before hiring, and an additional 56.2 million (49.1 percent) workers reported that prehire testing would not influence their decision to work for an employer. Only 5.6 million (4.9 percent) workers indicated that they would be less likely to work for an employer who conducts prehire drug testing.

You can find more information on alcohol and drug addiction at: Alcohol and Drug Addiction.

You can find information on Intervention at: Alcohol and Drug Abuse Intervention.

Patrick McLemore has been a recovering alcoholic and drug addict since June 6, 2005. Patrick widely known as an expert in the field of addictions, he has not only studied the topic passionately, but has lived it.

Patrick has worked with the Manor House Recovery Center for over two years. During that time he has been instrumental in the recovery and continued sobriety of numerous recovering alcoholic and drug addicts.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Patrick_Mclemore

Substance abuse research shows that by the time children enter preschool, most of them have seen their parents and/or other adults drinking alcohol either in person, in the media, or both. Due to the fact that today's children are exposed to drinking and drinking-related activities such as alcohol advertisements, drinking in TV programs and in the movies as early as elementary school, after a child reaches his or her 5th birthday, it is never too early to start talking with your children about drinking and the negative effects that excessive, abusive, and irresponsible drinking can lead to.