What Are the 12 Steps of Recovery?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow the Twelve Steps WorkThe 12 StepsHistoryEfficacyPros and ConsAlternativesNext in AA 12 Step Program GuideStep 1 in the Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon Programs

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

How the Twelve Steps Work

The 12 Steps

History

Efficacy

Pros and Cons

Alternatives

Next in AA 12 Step Program Guide

The 12 steps are also used in recovery programs for addictions other than alcohol.

For many members of 12-step recovery programs, these steps aren’t merely a way to overcome addiction—they are a guide toward a new way of life. Some of the best-known 12-step programs include Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and Cocaine Anonymous (CA).

Let’s examine these 12-step programs more closely, including the individual steps and the traditions that help guide them. We’ll also explore their effectiveness, the pros and cons you should consider, and how to make them work as part of a treatment plan.

As explained in Chapter 5, “How It Works,” in the bookAlcoholics Anonymous, the Twelve Steps provide a suggested program of recovery that worked for the early members of AA and continued to work through the years for many others, regardless of the type of substance they used.

The Twelve Steps themselves are the essence of Alcoholics Anonymous. They are the directions meant to provide members a path tolasting sobrietyand a substance-free lifestyle.

Twelve-Step meetings are considered the “fellowship” part of the AA mutual support groups, where people come together and share their experiences.

For many people, these groups may serve as their primary resource for changing their behavior, but they also often augment formal treatment. Such programs can also be helpful for long-term support and care.

Worldwide, approximately 118,000 groups are supporting more than 2 million members in 180 nations.

Though the original Twelve Steps of AA have been adapted over time, the premise of each step remains the same for all recovery programs that use a 12-step model.

By exploring the steps in depth and seeing how others have applied the principles in their lives, you can use them to gain insight into your own experiences, and to gain strength and hope for your ownrecovery. The steps and their principles are:

The Twelve Traditions

Just as the 12 steps outline the path to recovery for individuals struggling with addiction, there are also12 Traditionsthat are the spiritual principles behind the 12 steps.These traditions help guide how 12-step recovery programs operate. The traditions focus on unity, effective leadership, and independence. They also address questions related to financing the group and managing public relations.

The purpose of the 12 traditions is to help provide guidelines about the relationships between the group and the community and between individual members of the group.

History of the 12 Steps of Recovery.

Spirituality and the 12-Steps

‘Just for Today’ in Narcotics Anonymous (NA)

Effectiveness of 12-Step Recovery Programs

There are many different paths to substance use recovery, and 12-step programs are just one resource that people may find helpful. Research suggests that 12-step interventions and mutual support groups can be essential in recovery.

More formal research also supports the findings of support group surveys. For example:

A 2020 review found that Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step facilitation treatments produced benefits that were similar to other treatments. The research also found that these 12-step approaches were superior to other methods for maintaining continuous abstinence and reducing remission rates. Such programs are also a cost-effective way to deliver treatment.

Pros and Cons of 12-Step Recovery Programs

While participating in the 12 steps of recovery can be beneficial for many people, consider the advantages and disadvantages of these programs before you decide if this approach is right for you.

Benefits

These programs offer a number of benefits, including:

Disadvantages

However, 12-step mutual support groups may not be for everyone. Some challenges or possible disadvantages include:

RecapWhile 12-step recovery programs can be helpful, they are not always the best choice for everyone. They are an affordable, available, and convenient resource while people are recovering from substance use, but their emphasis on admitting powerlessness and leaning on a higher power can be a problem for some individuals.

Recap

While 12-step recovery programs can be helpful, they are not always the best choice for everyone. They are an affordable, available, and convenient resource while people are recovering from substance use, but their emphasis on admitting powerlessness and leaning on a higher power can be a problem for some individuals.

Alternatives to 12-Step Recovery Programs

The 12 steps of recovery are not the only type of mutual support options that are available for people who are trying to overcome drug and alcohol use. A few alternatives to 12-step programs include:

SMART Recovery

SMART Recovery is a secular alternative to 12-step programs like AA. Rather than emphasizing powerlessness and embracing a higher power, the SMART Recovery approach emphasizes viewing substance use as a habit that people can learn to control.It draws on aspects ofcognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)and helps members to build motivation, cope with cravings, change addictive thoughts, and adopt healthy habits.

Secular Organizations for Sobriety (S.O.S.)

The organization lists several online and in-person meetings available in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. It also has a Facebook group and the related groupWomen for Sobriety, which is based on the S.O.S. principles.

Professional Treatment

In addition to mutual support groups, whether they are 12-step programs or an alternative approach, getting professional treatment can significantly improve a person’s chances of recovery. Depending on an individual’s needs, such treatments may involve therapy, medications, or inpatient/outpatient rehab. Talk to your doctor about which options might be suitable for your needs.

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

What to Expect From Your First 12-Step Meeting

13 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Blum K, Thompson B, Demotrovics Z, et al.The molecular neurobiology of twelve steps program & fellowship: connecting the dots for recovery.Journal of Reward Deficiency Syndrome.2015;1(1):46-64. doi:10.17756/jrds.2015-008Kelly JF, Humphreys K, Ferri M.Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step programs for alcohol use disorder.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;3(3):CD012880. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012880.pub2W., B. Chapter 5: How it works. In:Alcoholics Anonymous. 4th ed. New York, NY: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc; 2001:58-71.Donovan DM, Ingalsbe MH, Benbow J, Daley DC.12-step interventions and mutual support programs for substance use disorders: an overview.Social Work in Public Health.2013;28(3-4):313-332. doi:10.1080/19371918.2013.774663Stanford Medicine.Alcoholic Anonymous most effective path to alcohol abstinence.Nash AJ.The twelve steps and adolescent recovery: a concise review.Substance Abuse. 2020;14. doi:10.1177/1178221820904397W., B.Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. 77 ed. New York, NY: Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing; 2012.Sussman S, Reynaud M, Aubin H-J, Leventhal AM.Drug addiction, love, and the higher power.Eval Health Prof.2011;34(3):362-370. doi:10.1177/0163278711401002Grim BJ, Grim ME.Belief, behavior, and belonging: How faith is indispensable in preventing and recovering from substance abuse[published correction appears in J Relig Health. 2019 Oct;58(5):1751-1752. doi: 10.1007/s10943-019-00898-4].J Relig Health. 2019;58(5):1713-1750. doi:10.1007/s10943-019-00876-wKelly JF, Abry A, Ferri M, Humphreys K.Alcoholics Anonymous and 12-step facilitation treatments for alcohol use disorder: A distillation of a 2020 Cochrane Review for clinicians and policy makers.Alcohol Alcohol. 2020;55(6):641-651. doi:10.1093/alcalc/agaa050Donovan DM, Ingalsbe MH, Benbow J, Daley DC.12-step interventions and mutual support programs for substance use disorders: an overview.Soc Work Public Health. 2013;28(3-4):313-332. doi:10.1080/19371918.2013.774663Bogenschutz MP, Rice SL, Tonigan JS, et al.12-step facilitation for the dually diagnosed: a randomized clinical trial.J Subst Abuse Treat. 2014;46(4):403-411. doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2013.12.009Kelly JF, Levy SA, Hoeppner BB.An investigation of SMART Recovery: protocol for a longitudinal cohort study of individuals making a new recovery attempt from alcohol use disorder.BMJ Open. 2023;13(2):e066898. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2022-066898

13 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Blum K, Thompson B, Demotrovics Z, et al.The molecular neurobiology of twelve steps program & fellowship: connecting the dots for recovery.Journal of Reward Deficiency Syndrome.2015;1(1):46-64. doi:10.17756/jrds.2015-008Kelly JF, Humphreys K, Ferri M.Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step programs for alcohol use disorder.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;3(3):CD012880. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012880.pub2W., B. Chapter 5: How it works. In:Alcoholics Anonymous. 4th ed. New York, NY: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc; 2001:58-71.Donovan DM, Ingalsbe MH, Benbow J, Daley DC.12-step interventions and mutual support programs for substance use disorders: an overview.Social Work in Public Health.2013;28(3-4):313-332. doi:10.1080/19371918.2013.774663Stanford Medicine.Alcoholic Anonymous most effective path to alcohol abstinence.Nash AJ.The twelve steps and adolescent recovery: a concise review.Substance Abuse. 2020;14. doi:10.1177/1178221820904397W., B.Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. 77 ed. New York, NY: Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing; 2012.Sussman S, Reynaud M, Aubin H-J, Leventhal AM.Drug addiction, love, and the higher power.Eval Health Prof.2011;34(3):362-370. doi:10.1177/0163278711401002Grim BJ, Grim ME.Belief, behavior, and belonging: How faith is indispensable in preventing and recovering from substance abuse[published correction appears in J Relig Health. 2019 Oct;58(5):1751-1752. doi: 10.1007/s10943-019-00898-4].J Relig Health. 2019;58(5):1713-1750. doi:10.1007/s10943-019-00876-wKelly JF, Abry A, Ferri M, Humphreys K.Alcoholics Anonymous and 12-step facilitation treatments for alcohol use disorder: A distillation of a 2020 Cochrane Review for clinicians and policy makers.Alcohol Alcohol. 2020;55(6):641-651. doi:10.1093/alcalc/agaa050Donovan DM, Ingalsbe MH, Benbow J, Daley DC.12-step interventions and mutual support programs for substance use disorders: an overview.Soc Work Public Health. 2013;28(3-4):313-332. doi:10.1080/19371918.2013.774663Bogenschutz MP, Rice SL, Tonigan JS, et al.12-step facilitation for the dually diagnosed: a randomized clinical trial.J Subst Abuse Treat. 2014;46(4):403-411. doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2013.12.009Kelly JF, Levy SA, Hoeppner BB.An investigation of SMART Recovery: protocol for a longitudinal cohort study of individuals making a new recovery attempt from alcohol use disorder.BMJ Open. 2023;13(2):e066898. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2022-066898

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Blum K, Thompson B, Demotrovics Z, et al.The molecular neurobiology of twelve steps program & fellowship: connecting the dots for recovery.Journal of Reward Deficiency Syndrome.2015;1(1):46-64. doi:10.17756/jrds.2015-008Kelly JF, Humphreys K, Ferri M.Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step programs for alcohol use disorder.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;3(3):CD012880. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012880.pub2W., B. Chapter 5: How it works. In:Alcoholics Anonymous. 4th ed. New York, NY: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc; 2001:58-71.Donovan DM, Ingalsbe MH, Benbow J, Daley DC.12-step interventions and mutual support programs for substance use disorders: an overview.Social Work in Public Health.2013;28(3-4):313-332. doi:10.1080/19371918.2013.774663Stanford Medicine.Alcoholic Anonymous most effective path to alcohol abstinence.Nash AJ.The twelve steps and adolescent recovery: a concise review.Substance Abuse. 2020;14. doi:10.1177/1178221820904397W., B.Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. 77 ed. New York, NY: Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing; 2012.Sussman S, Reynaud M, Aubin H-J, Leventhal AM.Drug addiction, love, and the higher power.Eval Health Prof.2011;34(3):362-370. doi:10.1177/0163278711401002Grim BJ, Grim ME.Belief, behavior, and belonging: How faith is indispensable in preventing and recovering from substance abuse[published correction appears in J Relig Health. 2019 Oct;58(5):1751-1752. doi: 10.1007/s10943-019-00898-4].J Relig Health. 2019;58(5):1713-1750. doi:10.1007/s10943-019-00876-wKelly JF, Abry A, Ferri M, Humphreys K.Alcoholics Anonymous and 12-step facilitation treatments for alcohol use disorder: A distillation of a 2020 Cochrane Review for clinicians and policy makers.Alcohol Alcohol. 2020;55(6):641-651. doi:10.1093/alcalc/agaa050Donovan DM, Ingalsbe MH, Benbow J, Daley DC.12-step interventions and mutual support programs for substance use disorders: an overview.Soc Work Public Health. 2013;28(3-4):313-332. doi:10.1080/19371918.2013.774663Bogenschutz MP, Rice SL, Tonigan JS, et al.12-step facilitation for the dually diagnosed: a randomized clinical trial.J Subst Abuse Treat. 2014;46(4):403-411. doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2013.12.009Kelly JF, Levy SA, Hoeppner BB.An investigation of SMART Recovery: protocol for a longitudinal cohort study of individuals making a new recovery attempt from alcohol use disorder.BMJ Open. 2023;13(2):e066898. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2022-066898

Blum K, Thompson B, Demotrovics Z, et al.The molecular neurobiology of twelve steps program & fellowship: connecting the dots for recovery.Journal of Reward Deficiency Syndrome.2015;1(1):46-64. doi:10.17756/jrds.2015-008

Kelly JF, Humphreys K, Ferri M.Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step programs for alcohol use disorder.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;3(3):CD012880. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012880.pub2

W., B. Chapter 5: How it works. In:Alcoholics Anonymous. 4th ed. New York, NY: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc; 2001:58-71.

Donovan DM, Ingalsbe MH, Benbow J, Daley DC.12-step interventions and mutual support programs for substance use disorders: an overview.Social Work in Public Health.2013;28(3-4):313-332. doi:10.1080/19371918.2013.774663

Stanford Medicine.Alcoholic Anonymous most effective path to alcohol abstinence.

Nash AJ.The twelve steps and adolescent recovery: a concise review.Substance Abuse. 2020;14. doi:10.1177/1178221820904397

W., B.Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. 77 ed. New York, NY: Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing; 2012.

Sussman S, Reynaud M, Aubin H-J, Leventhal AM.Drug addiction, love, and the higher power.Eval Health Prof.2011;34(3):362-370. doi:10.1177/0163278711401002

Grim BJ, Grim ME.Belief, behavior, and belonging: How faith is indispensable in preventing and recovering from substance abuse[published correction appears in J Relig Health. 2019 Oct;58(5):1751-1752. doi: 10.1007/s10943-019-00898-4].J Relig Health. 2019;58(5):1713-1750. doi:10.1007/s10943-019-00876-w

Kelly JF, Abry A, Ferri M, Humphreys K.Alcoholics Anonymous and 12-step facilitation treatments for alcohol use disorder: A distillation of a 2020 Cochrane Review for clinicians and policy makers.Alcohol Alcohol. 2020;55(6):641-651. doi:10.1093/alcalc/agaa050

Donovan DM, Ingalsbe MH, Benbow J, Daley DC.12-step interventions and mutual support programs for substance use disorders: an overview.Soc Work Public Health. 2013;28(3-4):313-332. doi:10.1080/19371918.2013.774663

Bogenschutz MP, Rice SL, Tonigan JS, et al.12-step facilitation for the dually diagnosed: a randomized clinical trial.J Subst Abuse Treat. 2014;46(4):403-411. doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2013.12.009

Kelly JF, Levy SA, Hoeppner BB.An investigation of SMART Recovery: protocol for a longitudinal cohort study of individuals making a new recovery attempt from alcohol use disorder.BMJ Open. 2023;13(2):e066898. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2022-066898

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