12 Step Programs that Work

Patients who are addicted to alcohol or drugs often seek the supportive guidance of a 12 step program as a means of showing them the ropes in recovery. While there are a number of 12-step programs available around the world, little evidence is available on many of them so in many cases, determining whether a program works or not is really a matter of individual decision. What works for one may be ineffective for the next. If you’re considering this type of program, below are some additional details on various twelve step programs that may work for you:

Alcoholics Anonymous

The 12 step program of treatment was coined by the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous in the 1930s. Since then, twelve step treatment has been used in AA meetings to help those who are addicted to alcohol to come to terms with their addiction, to focus their efforts on recovery and to accept that they can live alcohol free. Since the 1930s, all of the new 12 step programs that have been started uses similar approaches to those which were originally defined by AA.

Narcotics Anonymous

Narcotics Anonymous is a 12 step program that is geared toward helping people who are addicted to various substances including crack cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin. Here, users come together to discuss their recovery, to provide peer support to one another and to teach the steps that can be taken to achieve sobriety and fulfillment. NA meetings can be found around the world in many different countries and languages making them a prime choice for many users.

Gamblers Anonymous

12-step groups have helped many people recover from addiction and other issues.

Gambler’s Anonymous is a program that utilizes the twelve step approach to help those who are suffering from various levels of gambling addiction or problem gambling. Much like AA or NA, the twelve steps are focused on helping the individual to accept and admit that they have a problem, to seek ways to overcome the problem and to learn how to prevent the problem from occurring again in the future. However, the Gambler’s Anonymous is focused on teaching ways to prevent gambling and improper gaming.

Sexaholics Anonymous

For the thousands of people who suffer from sex addiction, this twelve step program provides hope. Much like the other programs, Sexaholics Anonymous takes pride in helping to build a strong sense of community for those in recovery which develops a support network that is vital to continued success. This program, like the others, has altered some of the steps to focus more on behavioral addictions.