The 12 Steps of NA Explained

Narcotics Anonymous (NA) was originally created to treat narcotic addiction and abuse and has since grown to help any addict who is trying to escape their addiction. Their key to success is the 12-step program that is used to help addicts become sober by accomplishing each step.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration, NA is a recovery program that goes through the 12-step program during regular attendance at group meetings. Many people know what the 12-step program does but few know what the 12-step program does.

1. Admittance of Powerlessness

Admittance of powerlessness over the addiction and management of their lives is the first step in becoming sober. This step works to show the addict the impact of their addiction on their lives and acknowledge that they need help by accepting humility in order to begin the journey toward a different life.

2. Belief in a Power Bigger than Themselves

Belief in a power bigger than themselves is the next step in the 12-Steps of NA because it shows the addict that they can turn their lives from hopeless to hopeful. The introduction of a power that is stronger than them gives the addict a chance to believe in a power that can piece their lives together in renewal.

3. Surrendering to the Care of God

Turning will and lives over to the care of God puts the addicts heart, mind, and will in action as he or she surrenders to something bigger than themselves. The addict will believe that the higher power will guide their behaviors toward becoming more positive and healthy.

4. Gaining a Better Understanding of the Self

The 12 steps encourage surrendering to a higher power.

Gaining a better understanding of the self is a vital step in the 12-Step program because it allows the addict to begin to heal and restore themselves to a better being.

5. Confessing Wrongs

It comes time to confess to themselves, the higher power, and to someone else the wrongs that were conducted during the addiction to build courage and acknowledge aloud the darkness that is inside of them. By admitting the past wrongs, the addict can learn to accept themselves for who they are and begin to mend the relationships damaged by the addiction.

6. Allowing for Positive Change

Preparing to allow the higher power to remove defects by working through fears and doubts about a new life and the changes they need to occur. This will prepare the addict for the higher power to change them for the better.

To find out more about addiction treatment, please call 800-487-1890 (Who Answers?) .

7. Removal of Shortcomings

Removal of shortcoming by the Higher Power will allow the addict to give themselves a stronger chance of working through the changes that are occurring in his or her life.

8. Acknowledging Harm

Acknowledgments of people harmed during the addiction gives the addict a chance to assess the ways he or she have harmed themselves as well as others to work toward restoring the relationships with both words and actions.

9. Making Amends

Making amends to those the addict has harmed except when it may make things worse is a way for the addict to first face their fears and hopes, then forgive those who need it and avoid the ones that may cause more harm than good.

Support Groups and 12 Step Programs for Families of Addicts

10. Continuing to Acknowledge Wrongs

Continuing to acknowledge wrongs and admitting them immediately will help the addict to recognize when they are participating in behaviors that are destructive and harmful not only to themselves but to others. This will help them to prevent themselves from committing future wrongs that mirror their past behaviors.

11. Improve Conscious Contact with the Higher Power

Improve conscious contact with the higher power as it is understood and understanding its will and power to carry out the treatment is an excellent way to increase the reliance on it. The higher power can strengthen the addicts will to continue and finish treatment.

12. A Spiritual Awakening

A spiritual awakening will continue to encourage the addict to share the message and practice the principles always. This final step signifies the complete renewal of the addict and given them genuine hopes about their futures as well as encourages them to share what they have learned with others who suffer from addiction.

The 12-steps NA has helped many addicts to become sober by building from the negative impression of themselves to a fully renewed version of themselves. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, this program also draws on social support that is offered by discussions among peers that help to promote and maintain drug-free lives.

Once the addicts have learned how to avoid their negative behaviors and embrace positive ones, they are encouraged to come back and teach it to others who are suffering through similar situations to theirs.

For more information on how the 12-Steps of NA program can help with addiction, call 800-487-1890 (Who Answers?) to speak with a caring specialist who can help.