How 12 Step Programs Help People Stay Sober
12 step programs have been around since the mid-1900s helping people stay clean from their addictions. Alcohol Anonymous (AA) was the first 12 step program created and is still running strong today. AA groups can be found in most communities and are a completely free program that helps recovering alcoholics deal with the cravings and hardships that come with staying clean off of alcohol.
How 12 Step Programs Help
12 step programs are completely free and open to anyone who needs help.
For starters, 12 step programs provide a recovering addict with a safe place to go that they know will not have alcohol or drugs around. Alcohol is found in most every convenient and grocery store as well as at most people’s homes. When a person becomes a member of an AA group they will have a place to go when they are in despair or are having a rough day and this is a huge help for many recovering addicts.
Another way 12 step problems help is by being there for one another. Every 12 step program has other members and the older members tend to provide insight and education to the newer members. In addition, a person will be around other peers that have gone through or are currently going through the same problems and struggles. This will help a person see that they are not alone and they can receive information about the best ways to deal with the problems they are going through since other members of the group have already gone through the same problems.
Moreover, the best aspect of a 12 step program is that it is completely free. AA groups cost nothing for people to join, which means a person can look up different groups in their community and go and visit them and decide which group they feel is the best one for them to join. It is important for a person to enjoy their group in order for them to receive the full benefits of the group.
What a Person should do to receive the best Benefits from AA
Below is a list of things a person should do to receive the full experience of AA:
- A person should go to meetings weekly: If a person makes excuses for not wanting to go to AA they may want to consider trying a new AA group or program
- Talk to other member of the group and get their insights: It is okay for a person to be shy, but AA groups are there to support individuals and by talking with other members a person will be able to gain insight on their addiction struggles and things they can do to help with certain problems
- Become active in the group: A person should become involved with the group and activities that they do, this will help a person build more friendships as well as gain a stronger support system
In addition, according to www.addictionandrecovery.org, a person should get a sponsor and do step work. A sponsor is a person’s own personal coach or teacher to help them through recovery. Having a sponsor will enable a person to have support whenever they need it and can immensely help a person stay sober.
