Twelve-step program

A twelve-step program is a self-help group whose members attempt recovery from various addictions and compulsions through the use of a plan referred to as the 12 steps.

The first such program was Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), which was begun in 1935 by Bill Wilson. He established the tradition within the "Anonymous" 12-step programs of using only his first name. The 12 Steps were originally written by Wilson and other early members of AA to codify the process that they felt had worked for them personally.

The exact wording of the twelve steps (in the form recited by members) can be found here.

One of the most widely-recognized characteristics of 12-step groups is the requirement that members admit that they "have a problem". In this spirit, many members open their address to the group along the lines of, "Hi, I'm David, and I'm an alcoholic" -- a catchphrase now widely identified with support groups.

Visitors to group meetings share their experiences, challenge successes and failures, and provide peer support for each other. Many people who have joined these groups report they found success that previously eluded them, while others -- including some ex-members -- criticize their efficacy or universal applicability.

The twelve steps were eventually matched with twelve traditions a set of guidelines for running individual groups and a sort of constitution for the program (eg, AA) as a whole.

Religion and 12-step groups

A primary belief of members is that their success is based on giving up on self-reliance and willpower, and instead relying on God, or a "Higher Power". Critics of these programs, however, often hold that this reliance is ineffective, and offensive or inapplicable to atheists and others who do not believe in a salvific deity.

The role of religion in 12-step groups is an argument of significance in some parts of the United States, where the criminal justice system has held out group participation to inmate addicts as a condition of parole or shortened sentences. Governments in the U.S. are disallowed under the First Amendment from granting privilege to religious belief. Thus, if 12-step groups are religious (which a facial reading of the 12 steps makes plain) then this condition is unconstitutional. Members of 12-step groups commonly attempt to finesse this conflict by making the semantic distinction that they are "spiritual, but not religious."

Some critics — again, particularly atheists and humanists — also question directly the idea of giving up on self-reliance, which can be seen as a form of idealized despair. Secular alternatives to 12-step programs, such as Rational Recovery, are for this reason in many ways opposite to the 12-step process.

An Assortment of Groups

Many other programs since have adapted AA's original steps to their own ends.

For a list of twelve-step programs, and related programs for family members, see: list of self-help organizations Related programs exist to help family and friends of those with addictions. These programs also follow modified versions of "the 12 Steps."

One organization which is often confused with an "Anonymous" 12-step program, due to the intentional similarity of its name -- but is not one -- is Narconon. Narconon is a branch of the Church of Scientology, presenting Scientology doctrine and practices as a therapy for drug abusers. Narconon does not use the 12 steps, and is not related to Narcotics Anonymous.