Overcoming a substance abuse problem or addiction to drugs or alcohol is never easy, even if you do not have a history with addiction or if you have the proper amount of support in your everyday life. Truly overcoming a substance abuse problem or addiction long-term requires persistence, consistency, and the willpower to continue living a life of sobriety even when it is no longer simple or easy. Understanding the basics of a traditional 12 step program can help you to find a drug and alcohol addiction solution that is optimal for you and your needs while providing you with the opportunity to turn your life around and improving it for the better. Here is a description of what is included in the 12 steps of recovery, so you can decide whether or not it is right for you.
1. Admitting Your Addiction and the Power it Has Over Your Life
Admitting that you have an addiction and that you are powerless over it is the first step to take when enrolling in a step program or treatment center. Understanding that you are powerless over drugs or alcohol, and that your life has become unmanageable is imperative to face your addiction and the challenges it poses head-on.
2. Coming to Believe in a Higher Power
Coming to believe that there is a God or a power greater than yourself is the second step involved in the recovery process from using drugs and/or alcohol. Acknowledging that there is a higher power at work is the beginning of letting go of the addiction. This will be helpful while working through the most challenging and uncomfortable times you are likely to encounter when facing your substance abuse or addiction.
3. Turning Life Over to God
Turn your life over to God and allow Him to care for you and the struggles you are facing with your substance abuse or addiction each day. Allow God to care for the future outcome of your life.
4. Create a Moral Inventory of Yourself
Creating a moral inventory of yourself may be the most difficult step to face, especially if you struggle with decisions you have made in the past and the relationships you currently struggle with each day. Creating a moral inventory of your past actions and behavior provides valuable insight into potential internal flaws you need to fix and work on for friends and loved ones in your life. When you have a moral inventory of yourself, you can face issues your substance abuse or addiction has lead to head-on without avoiding them.
5. Admitting The Nature of Your Wrongs
Admitting that you have committed wrongs against others is another extremely important step in the recovery process. Having the power to admit to God and another individual who trust and can speak openly with is essential.
6. Become Ready to Allow God to Remove Defects of Character
Become ready to ask for God to help remove the defects from your character that lead to negative actions, behaviors, and responses in everyday life. You cannot ask for something until you are ready for it.
7. Ask God to Remove Shortcomings
Ask for God to help with removing and eliminating the shortcomings or character defects you have as an individual. Are you extremely impulsive or unable to manage your responses to various tempting situations? Ask God, as you understood him, to remove the shortcomings and character defects you came up with in steps four and five..
8. Create a List of Individuals You Have Harmed to Make Amends
Create a list of individuals you have harmed or caused a strain in your relationship with in the past to make amends as you work towards overcoming your substance abuse or addiction. Having a list is the beginning of a way to remove the guilt and shame that you have carried.
9. Make Direct Amends
Make direct amends to those you have harmed when it is possible and will not cause any further harm. This step should not be avoided and is important for growth in your recovery program.
10. Continue to Take a Moral Inventory
Keep maintaining a moral inventory of your actions and current relationships, even after you have completed prior steps in the 12 step process. This helps you on a daily basis and is considered part of the maintenance or your recovery program.
11. Seek to Improve Your Connection With God
Seek to always improve your current connection with God as you understand him, even after you have committed to a life of sobriety. Consider implementing additional prayer and meditation into your daily life to focus on God and managing your current lifestyle without the use of drugs and alcohol present at any time.
12. Experience a Life Changing Spiritual Awakening
Experiencing a life changing spiritual awakening is another way to truly overcome substance abuse or addiction while embracing your new lifestyle that is free from the temptations of drugs and alcohol. Spiritual awakenings often occur with authentic connections to God and higher powers along with a dedication to various teachings such as meditation and prayer. Carry this message to others suffering with substance abuse and addiction. Remember the basis of 12 step recovery is one addict or alcoholic helping another addict or alcoholic to recover.
Understanding what a 12 step program offers is a way to determine which inpatient or outpatient treatment program is best for you. When you know what to expect from a 12 step program, you can attend meetings and move forward with your lifestyle of sobriety without feeling hindered or held back while overcoming and facing each of the steps involved in the program itself. With the right treatment program for you, regain control over your life without feeling as if you are constrained or not supported at any time while fighting the temptations of your substance abuse or addiction.
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