Why Are The 12-Steps Effective?

When Alcoholics Anonymous was first founded, many scientists and researchers were initially skeptical that 12 principles rooted in spirituality could cure millions of addicts and their severe dependency on harmful and illegal substances. 

Much to everyone’s surprise, the 12 step recovery program took off with such enthusiasm that there are now over 100,000 groups worldwide, and they are very successful in helping addicts kick their drug habits for good. 

The Sands Treatment Center near Pompano Beach, South Florida, is a great example. 

Let us explore why the 12 step recovery program is so effective. 

The 12 Steps Give Hope 

It gives hope for those truly suffering and wanting to change because it’s comforting to find others who are facing the same struggles as you are. 

In the first meeting, you can expect to find a group of people in similar circumstances as yourself trying to quit their drug habits because they’ve realized how much it’s negatively impacting their lives. 

The core message is that your life matters and that there’s no reason to give up because you have all the support you need right here, and others can help you pick right up if you fall off the wagon. 

There is Greater Accountability 

It’s not easy to quit a serious drug addiction alone. If there’s no one else to hold you accountable, chances are you’ll backslide and may end up self-sabotaging yourself back into the destructive habits you’re trying to quit. 

But if you’re part of a 12 step recovery program, you’ll find that people share similar stories of backsliding or relapsing and that there’s no toxic judgment that can leave you stuck in a vicious circle. 

However, people will still push you to restart the 12 steps if you relapse to help you regain the initial progress you made. 

What are friends for, right? 

There Are New Bonds of Friendship 

Often, people suffering from drug addiction tend to alienate those around them and start to feel like no one understands their struggle. 

People can be unintentionally judgmental and not understand or have the patience to deal with your addictions. 

12 step recovery programs offer new friendships, where people are in a similar boat as yourself, and so understand well the struggles, the highs and lows that go with treating serious drug addiction. 

You may find lifelong friends in your recovery program because people who are there through your hardest of times are the ones that stick around forever. 

Despite being potentially traumatized, they will understand your journey, and your newly cemented bonds of friendship can propel you to kick your drug habits for good. 

The 12 Step Recovery Program is Highly Practical 

The 12 step recovery program is not just a safe space where people can talk about their feelings and daily struggles; it is also very practical in its step-by-step approach to accelerate your healing process. 

The first step helps you overcome denial by admitting that you have a problem and need help. You surrender yourself in front of a higher power and a witness so that it liberates you from the shackles in your mind. 

The second step creates clarity so members realize that they cannot expect to create a new outcome by partaking in the same self-destructive habits they are trying to let go of.  

Once they recognize the need for surrendering to a higher power, members can come to terms with the traumatic incidents in their lives and finally stop living in reaction to the past. 

They can let go of destructive emotions like bitterness, resentment, and nihilistic tendencies that they realize are toxic and life-draining forms of self-hatred. 

You isolate your triggers, bring awareness around them and create a space where they slowly but surely start to lose their power over you. 

Towards the end of the 12 step recovery program, members will find that they’ve developed a greater degree of self-control, have more awareness around the root cause of their pain, and can finally open up to being fully rehabilitated. 

Final Thoughts 

Once you go through such a radical change, you’re likely to carry the message with you about the effectiveness of the 12 step program, help others who are still suffering and propagate the healing effect to the greater community at large. 

The Sands Treatment Center near Pompano Beach in South Florida has an excellent recovery center where people can join to begin their rehabilitation process.