The 12-step program is widely regarded as the gold standard for addiction recovery. It has helped many recovering alcoholics and is worth a try. However, if it doesn’t work for you, don’t feel dejected because there are valid reasons they just won’t work for some people, and most of them are beyond your control.
What Is the 12-Step Program?
12-step programs are peer support group initiatives that aid in the recovery of individuals struggling with behavioural and substance addictions. There are various 12-step programs dealing with different types of addictions, such as Cocaine Anonymous, Crystal Meth Anonymous, and Pills Anonymous. Others focus on behavioural addictions like Gamblers Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, and Workaholics Anonymous.
This article focuses on Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), which establishes guidelines for overcoming alcohol addiction. Those who struggle with alcohol control issues can benefit from the AA 12-step program by learning new coping mechanisms and experiencing the acceptance and support of a caring community. It supports long-term addiction recovery and aids in their transition into sobriety.
Programs can vary based on who implements them. Nonetheless, some of the staple steps in the process include accepting that you are not in control of your addiction and acknowledging that a higher power can provide strength. It’s also highly encouraged that you reflect on your past transgressions, make amends, adopt a new lifestyle, and lend a hand to others.
For example, the 12 steps that AA presented and were detailed in the original Big Book are:
- Recognising that you have no control over the addiction
- Believing in the assistance of a higher power (in various forms)
- Choosing to give the higher power control
- Making an inventory of oneself
- Admitting one’s wrongdoings to a higher authority, to oneself, and to another individual
- Being willing to allow a higher power to make any necessary corrections to your character
- Beseeching a higher power to take away the pertinent shortcomings
- Keeping a record of the wrongs you have committed against other people and being prepared to atone for them
- Reaching out to those who have suffered, unless doing so puts you in peril
- Maintaining your self-evaluation and owning up to your mistakes.
- Using prayer and meditation to achieve enlightenment and establish a connection with a higher power
- Delivering the 12 Steps’ message to those in need
How Successful Is the 12-Step Program?
The term “success” is unclear when describing the program’s outcome. After that first setback, certain people do not relapse, while others relapse once and never again. The anonymous model of the program also hinders getting official statistics. Various reports can be found regarding the success rate of the 12-step program.
For example, the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous boasts a 50% success rate and states that another 25% stay sober despite occasional relapses. However, some addiction experts report sobriety rates for members after the first year that are closer to 8% to 12%.
Reasons the 12-Step Program Might Not Work for Some
The 12-step program is a popular solution for alcohol addiction recovery, but not everyone will have success with it. If you or your loved one couldn’t follow the program, don’t immediately cast blame. The reasons for this may extend beyond not properly following the program instructions. Here are a few reasons the program doesn’t work for some individuals:
It’s Not a Universal Solution
It’s normal that what works for millions of people might not work for you. Individuals with alcohol abuse at any stage may indeed benefit from it. However, the 12-step program is not a one-size-fits-all strategy that will resonate with everyone. It might feel too rigid if you seek a more customised or flexible recovery approach. Furthermore, the steps may not consider your case’s specifics or rehabilitation necessities because they are standardised.
Quasi-Religious Value
Twelve-step programs have roots in spirituality and frequently depend on accepting a higher power. Those who do not practice any particular faith or religion may find it awkward to work through the steps or attend meetings.
Program Dependency
One of the program’s main components is regular meetings offering fellowship and support. Because of this, some 12-step participants frequently develop an unhealthy dependence on the program. Without the assistance they had while completing the steps, they might struggle to return to a regular life. It may seem to some like switching from one dependency to another.
Idea of Powerlessness
The notion that addiction is beyond one’s control seeks to reduce guilt and promote healing. However, that may seem counterintuitive for those looking to regain control over their lives. For this reason, some people find it objectionable, not to mention how this idea could be taken as a release from accountability.
Lack of Professional Guidance
Twelve-step programs are typically run by volunteers and peer support rather than medical professionals. Because of this, they usually don’t offer expert advice, therapy, or more specialised support, which some individuals may need.
Misalignment With Modern Medicine
AA was founded in 1935 through the collaboration of Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith. Certain understandings of medicine were different than they are now. Since addiction was not then understood to be a brain illness like it is now, many people battled for decades to stay sober, even with the help they received from nearby AA groups.
Possible Alternatives for 12-Step Programs
For some, the 12-step program might be helpful. But if it didn’t work for you or your loved ones, don’t give up. There are other options to consider.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioural therapy teaches those recovering from addiction to find connections between their thoughts, feelings, and actions. This increases awareness of how these things impact recovery, helping identify and change harmful thought patterns and behaviours.
Residential Treatment
This entails a prolonged stay of several days or months in a rehabilitation centre, where numerous therapeutic modalities are offered in addition to 24-hour care. It provides the maximum amount of structure and support. This is appropriate for individuals undergoing treatment for severe alcohol use disorders as it offers a secure, alcohol-free setting for stabilisation and a thorough exploration of the recovery process.
Different Group Therapies
If one or more of the tenets of AA’s 12-step programs hinder your recovery, you can try other group therapies. For instance, those who find it hard to abide by the spiritual part of the therapy can choose to join AA Agnostica instead, which is a secular form of the traditional AA 12-step program.
Discover HARP’s Holistic Approach to Addiction Recovery
Our Hills & Ranges Private rehabilitation programs are dedicated to holistic healing. We offer the 5i Program, which includes the most recent scientific research and educational materials in mental health and alcohol and other drugs (AOD).
This 5i Recovery Process is based on the widely accepted best practices of abstinence-based programs and cognitive behavioural therapy. Together, they form a systematic five-module educational process that effectively addresses a client’s individual concerns and overcomes the drawbacks of 12-step programs, such as their inflexible procedures, reliance on spirituality, and lack of expert guidance.
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