Many rehab facilities in Arizona follow the 12-step program, as it’s one of the most widely used methods for addressing substance use disorders. Developed in 1935 by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), this program helps individuals overcome alcohol addiction, as well as other types of addiction.
The benefit in the 12-step program is that it provides a clear and structured path to sobriety. Individuals in recovery receive support while working through their struggles and building a life of meaning and purpose. This way, you’re not just living sober – you’re living your best life.
Wolf Creek Recovery applies the 12-step principles to our program because we believe in them, and they have worked for us. At the same time, we recognize that the 12 steps are not for everyone. All we ask is that you are open to learning about the 12 steps and how they can make a difference in your journey.
What is a 12-Step Program for Addiction Recovery?
Created in the 1930s, the 12 steps outline a path to recovery through a series of actions. This program emphasizes the importance of surrendering to a higher power and receiving support from others who have gone through the recovery process.
Here are the 12 steps:
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: Were 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 to do 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 the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
What are the Benefits of the 12-Step Program?
Even though there are no hard statistics on how effective 12-step programs are, the American Society of Addiction Medicine states that 12-step facilitation therapy is a tried-and-true proven approach. After all, this model is still being used more than 80 years later, so there has to be something to it!
Here are the advantages of participating in a 12-step program:
Follow a clear set of goals
Adjusting to life sober is hard to do. It helps to have a set of principles to follow and this is exactly what the 12 steps do. You can use the steps as a guide for how you want to live your life while identifying the thoughts, behaviors and risk factors that could negatively impact your recovery. By having this structure in your life, you can restore order and recover from compulsive behaviors.
Grow your sober community
One of the main advantages of the 12-step program is the sense of community you receive. A strong sober network increases the chances for a successful recovery, yet many people struggle to find this support after their time in rehab facilities in Arizona.
Your old friends may still be using drugs or alcohol, or you may be struggling to find new friends who you enjoy. Twelve-step programs bridge this gap by bringing people with similar challenges together and providing a safe space for them.
Hold yourself accountable
Another benefit to participating in a 12-step program is that you are held accountable during your recovery. You will be paired with a sponsor who will help you navigate this journey, but also, it will be up to you to attend weekly meetings, share experiences and grow in your recovery. Ultimately, only you can own and love your sobriety.
Learn how to take responsibility
Aside from being held accountable for your actions, the 12 steps teach you how to take responsibility. People who abuse substances often have a hard time taking responsibility – they blame others instead. But now that you are sober and working on building a better life with healthier relationships, you must be able to take responsibility for your life – and your recovery.
Emphasize the importance of spiritual help
You do not need to be religious to practice the 12 steps. However, the 12 steps do promote spirituality, which is your personal connection to a higher power. Religion tells you what is true and false and has a set of rules to follow. Spirituality, on the other hand, is an individual practice that allows you to discover the truth.
In the recovery journey, being spiritual also provides a sense of purpose and meaning. It allows you to connect with something greater than yourself, while seeking a firm foundation for recovery and better mental health.
Start Your Recovery at Our Rehab Facilities in Arizona
Wolf Creek Recovery recognizes that there is no ‘right’ path to recovery. This process is unique for every individual. However, we also believe in providing our clients with the most tools so that they have every opportunity to find what works for them. Many of our staff members are in recovery, and the 12 steps have helped us in our fight. We hope that they can offer the same to you. To learn more about our approach to treating substance use disorders, contact Wolf Creek Recovery today.
