The 12 Steps

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The 12-Step process is a transformative framework designed to guide individuals through the journey of recovery from addiction and compulsive behaviors. It begins with the crucial step of admitting powerlessness over the addiction, fostering a sense of hope and community. Each step builds upon the last, promoting self-reflection, accountability, and spiritual growth. This structured approach encourages individuals to confront their past, seek forgiveness, and make amends, paving the way for healing and personal development. The importance of the 12 Steps lies in their ability to create a supportive environment, where shared experiences and collective wisdom empower individuals to stay committed to their recovery. By integrating these principles into daily life, participants not only work towards sobriety but also cultivate resilience, healthier relationships, and a renewed sense of purpose, making the 12-Step program a cornerstone of lasting change. 

"We admitted we were powerless over ________, that our lives had become unmanageable."

Most of us can think back to a time in our lives when we felt powerless over something. Step One invites us to conclude that the idea that we can successfully drink and/or use must be smashed completely. This can seem like a mountain, but our addictions had progressed to such a place, that we could no longer bury our heads in the sand and ignore the destruction around us. How many times had we sworn that we would only drink or drug, "this one time?" How many times have we said to ourselves, "but this time will be different," only to end up in the same place, if not worse, time after time.

When faced with our own powerlessness, many of us rebelled against the thought. "I can do this on my own," we assured our families. "I can stop anytime I want," we cried out in resistance. But when we had come to the seemingly lonely road without drink or our drugs, we clung to them in self-defense with a whisper, "if you only knew what I have been through, you would drink/use too." Back to the shadows we crawled, with heavy hearts, convincing ourselves that this abyss was all we were ever going to be. Full of fear, shame, guilt, and scores of other emotions, we felt defeated. But therein lies our hope. 

Alcohol and drugs were our master, some of us knew this for a long time. But what could we do about it? When introduced to 12-Step meetings, here we laid before us a group of individuals who were seemingly happy. A joyful and laughing bunch, most of us walked into those meetings and gawked at their optimism. "How could they be so happy?" After spending some time in these rooms, we began to realize that these people were just like us. They too had walked into these rooms, broken and beaten down, but had been willing to do whatever it took to stay sober.

Most of us know when our lives have become unmanageable. Everyone has different levels of tolerance to pain, and we move at the speed of the pain. Once the pain gets great enough, that is when we finally do something about it. But when do we reach that point? When are we finally ready?

The answer to that question lies in each one of ourselves. Only we truly know when we are done.

So, were we hopeless? No. Maybe society had deemed us so, maybe our families had given up on us. Maybe we had fallen down the scale and our lives lay in so much ruin and destruction that we had no idea what else to do but to surrender. Surrender to the idea that we were not like others who could drink and use "normally." Surrender to the knowing that we were alcoholics and addicts whose lives had become completely unmanageable. That we had to give up the illusion of control. There begins our hope. 

-Allie Miller, Peer Specialist

"Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity." 

This step emphasizes the importance of acknowledging a higher power or force that can provide support and guidance in the recovery process.

In this step, individuals are encouraged to explore their beliefs and consider the possibility of something beyond their own understanding or control that can assist them in overcoming their addiction. It is a pivotal moment for many, as it involves letting go of the illusion of complete self-sufficiency and recognizing that they do not have to face their struggles alone. 

The concept of "sanity" in this context refers to a return to rational thinking and a healthier state of mind, free from the compulsions of substance dependency. This step is about fostering hope and openness, which can be crucial for those who have felt trapped in their addiction.

Ultimately, Step 2 invites individuals to develop a sense of faith, whether that be in a traditional sense of a more personal understanding of a higher power, as a means to facilitate healing and recovery. It lays the groundwork for further steps in the program, which continue to build on this foundation of belief and trust. 

There are many strategies that you can use to complete Step 2. Some ways that you can work through this step:

• Think about what matters to you. What might inspire you to want to get better?
• Accept that you are not able to recover from your addiction on your own.
• Consider the possibility that a power greater than yourself can help guide you toward recovery.
• Think about spiritual experiences you have had or times you have felt like God, the universe, or some other force was guiding you down the right path.
• Be open to guidance and support.
• Talk to others in your group. What did they do to find and accept a higher power?
• Think about the things that might be holding you back from allowing a higher power to direct you and help you as you heal.
• Consider people who may help you, such as a spiritual advisor, peer mentor, or therapist.