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Assess Yourself | Breaking Through Denial  |  What Is Treatment? | 12 Step Program | Definitions

12 Step Program

Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, and Marijuana Anonymous meetings are for those who have crossed over that line into addiction and for whom “just saying no” is no longer an option.

The purpose of the 12- step meetings are to help people develop a relationship with a Power greater than themselves, to improve their relationships with others, and to help them find serenity in themselves.

Twelve Step meetings consist of a group of men and women who have lost the ability to control their drug or alcohol use and have problems that relate directly or indirectly to drugs or alcohol. Addicts/Alcoholics share their experience, strength, and hope with each other so that they can recover from their addiction, as well as help others to recover.

Members of 12-step meetings know what it is like to lose control over drugs/alcohol and not be able to stop using, despite pledges, pleas, and promises. It is the support that 12 step members offer each other that is the backbone of the program’s success. Alcoholics and drug addicts find it is useful to go to meetings to maintain their recovery. By association with others with the same problem, they give each other strength to avoid alcohol and other drug use on a “one day at a time” basis.