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The 12 step program for overcoming alcohol addiction was created in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith in their revolutionary Alcoholic Anonymous program. Since then the principles of the 12 step program have been modified and used to conquer a variety of addictions, including drug addiction. Most qualified drug rehab centers will use a 12 step program in conjunction with counseling, behavioral therapy and medical supervision to obtain optimal results in overcoming drug addiction.

The original 12 steps are:

• We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.
• Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
• Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
• Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
• Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
• Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
• Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
• Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
• Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
• Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
• 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.
• 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.

The first step is often done through the help of an intervention and is usually completed before entering a drug rehab facility. The drug rehab then can focus on helping the addict safely detox and begin their program. The 12 steps are usually taught to the addict in drug addiction education classes and the friends and family members can learn these steps in their classes as well. It is important for everyone to be on the same page and for the friends and family to understand and encourage the addict to continue using the 12 steps once they have completed their drug addiction rehabilitation program.

Some drug rehab centers will also have ongoing 12 step support group meetings for the addict to attend after completing the drug rehab program. If the location is not near you or if your drug rehab center does not offer ongoing meetings you can look up your local narcotics or alcoholics anonymous group online or in the yellow pages and find out where the nearest meetings are for you to attend. There are also meetings specifically for the family and friends of the addict. The 12 step program can be used by them as well as anyone who needs to overcome an issue in their lives.

Drug rehabilitation centers that use a 12 step program as part of their therapy usually have the greatest success. This is a time-tested and effective method for overcoming addiction. By remaining faithful to its principles the addict and their loved ones may find peace and healing.

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