Twelve Steps of AA

Twelve Steps of AA

Alcohol addiction harms millions of people each year. Nearly 30 million people ages 12 and older had alcohol use disorder in the United States in 2023. Overconsumption of alcohol doesn't just impact the person drinking to excess; family and friends are often hurt along the way. Alcohol rehab, treatment, and support groups make all the difference along the journey to sobriety. 

What is Alcoholics Anonymous? 

Alcoholics Anonymous, or AA, is a 12-step program and support network that was created to help those with an alcohol problem stop drinking and manage the urge. Through Alcoholics Anonymous, people can come together to share their stories and feel like a part of a community. AA is free to attend, and membership is open to anyone who wants help navigating their drinking problem. 

What Are the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous?

The 12-step program is a plan that helps people overcome addiction. The idea is that by surrendering to a higher power, people can help themselves and others achieve and maintain alcohol abstinence. That doesn't mean one needs to believe in a Christian faith or any specific God. A higher power can mean the universe or whatever speaks to the individual. Alcoholics Anonymous outlines the 12 steps as follows:

1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. We're entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when doing so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and, when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and practice these principles in all our affairs.

How Do the Twelve Steps Work?

The Twelve Steps are the heart of Alcoholics Anonymous. Part of this is coming to terms with the fact that addiction is a disease that won't ever completely go away but can be stopped. Sharing stories in group meetings is a big part of this process. Through this program, many people get to a point where they're able to sponsor new members. The 12 steps allow people to grow spiritually and see that same growth in other parts of their lives. 

Those who are new to AA don't need to accept or follow the Twelve Steps perfectly if they feel out of reach. Some people are unwilling or unable to follow these exactly at the beginning of their journey. However, it's important to be open-minded when starting AA. It's helpful to attend meetings and speak about your journey. Sharing personal experiences is an important part of the healing journey. AA literature can also be helpful. 

Before AA you may need an LGBTQ+ Affirming Drug and Alcohol Detox 

Alcohol addiction often reaches a point where comprehensive treatment programs are the most beneficial tool along the journey to a sober life. Pride Detox offers various services in a supportive, accepting, and respectful environment, including individual and group therapy, family therapy, and holistic therapies. 

Recovery is not just about giving up alcohol; it's about gaining the tools and the confidence to live the life you truly deserve. If you're ready to start your recovery journey, contact us at 1-562-525-5501. Our compassionate team is prepared to support you every step of the way, providing the culturally competent care you need to overcome substance use addiction and achieve lasting recovery.