Those who have addiction problems go to many organizations to get cured, and the Alcoholics Anonymous is in the front line among all those. This organization has become so popular over the years and a main reason for that is the tremendous success of their 12 step based program. This program has successfully cured many individuals and returned them to the society – to family and friends as cured. So the 12 step program is just right for all those wanting to cure alcoholism and drug problems and regain self control and acceptance in the society. This program has become for many as a one-point reference point of solving addiction problems.

As the name suggests, the 12 step based program comprises of 12 steps. Here are the various steps.

Step One: Giving up the power and accepting the fact that the use of alcohol, drugs and other elements has made the person lose control over his life. Accepting this as a fact is a useful first step.

Step Two & Three: These steps involve submission to God or a higher power. Actual belief in God is the second step while turning the life to God involves the third.

Step Four & Five: Here are steps that also have some faith in it. These steps involve morality and confessions to self, to acquaintances and then finally to God.

Step Six: This step is quite passive. Almost the same as step 1, here the addict assumes that he is powerless in front of God who will then help the individual to recover, remove the negative forces and get back into the original condition.

Step Seven, Eight & Nine: These steps involve the process of expressing regret and asking for forgiveness for the various mistakes committed.

Step Ten, Eleven & Twelve: Morality is part of the tenth step as well. In the next step, the addict has to get close to God through prayers. In the last step the addict is supposed to achieve spiritual awakening. This awakening will automatically make him recover and despise drugs, alcoholism and other types of addictions.

The 12 step based program encourages the former addict to speak of his addiction problems, his challenges and how the situation was turned around. The success story will work as an encouragement for others.

Though it has been successful, the 12 step based program has been criticized from many quarters. While some say that the program is too religious, others feel that in the program, the addict is perceived as helpless and needs to depend on God and a higher force. There is no need to take matters in own hand. 

Those who truly accept the program and work the steps do not criticize it.

"It works if you work it and it sucks if you don't" can be heard at the end of many Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

 

If you'd like to read more about 12 step based programs or seek out more help with addictions you can visit our website Overcoming Addictions. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ian_Henman

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is an international, spiritually oriented society of recovering alcoholics who meet in small groups regularly. The chief purpose of AA members is basically to remain sober and assist other alcoholics to do the same. AA created the original twelve-step program that has been the main source and model for all other recovery groups like Gamblers Anonymous, Sexaholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, etc.

In the early part of the 20th Century, alcoholics without the financial means to go to a psychiatrist or admit themselves to a private health center could only find help in jails, through street ministries or state hospitals. Alcoholics Anonymous marked the first approach to aiding the recovery of the alcoholic, notwithstanding their financial standing.

One major aspect of Alcoholics Anonymous is their definition of the term alcoholism. They see it as a progressive disease afflicting an alcoholic. AA prescribes that alcoholism cannot be cured, and the alcoholic has no alternative but to wholly abstain from alcohol.

Today, there are several alcohol rehabilitation programs along the lines of AA. Most of these centers are run by other recovered alcoholics who believe that the recovering alcoholic has a special ability to connect with other alcoholics.

AA literature explains the difference between an "alcoholic" and a "problem drinker" with the logic that a ‘problem drinker’ may drink alcohol, but has the will to stop or decrease the amount he or she drinks. On the other hand, an alcoholic has a permanent disease and is incapable of moderating the consumption of alcohol.

 

Alcohol Rehab provides detailed information on Alcohol Rehab, Alcohol Rehab Centers, Alcohol Rehab Programs, Inpatient Alcohol Rehab and more. Alcohol Rehab is affiliated with Alcohol Detox Centers. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristy_Annely