12 Step Program: Introduction (05:35)

FREE PREVIEW

Components include a book, a fellowship, and the steps themselves. Meetings are spiritual but not religious, private, free, and anonymous; hear a typical agenda. Participants are peers, regardless of their sobriety status. See ways to find a 12 step program locally.

Sponsorship Process (03:25)

Alcoholics Bill W. and Dr. Bob developed the 12 step program to provide mutual support. Recovering addicts share their experience of choosing a sponsor.

Step 1 (02:43)

Recovering addicts share their experience in acknowledging their lack of control over alcohol or narcotics and accepting that their lives had become unmanageable.

Step 2 (02:36)

Recovering addicts share their experience in coming to believe that a power greater than them could restore them to sanity.

Step 3 (04:09)

Recovering addicts share their experience in deciding to turn their will and lives over to the care of God as they understand Him.

Step 4 (03:53)

Recovering addicts share their experience in making a moral inventory of themselves—including writing down their behavior. For one woman, fear manifests as anger and resentment.

Step 5 (04:50)

Recovering addicts share their experience in admitting to God, themselves, and others the exact nature of their wrongs. Sharing with sponsors helps release feelings of guilt and shame for negative behavior.

Step 6 (03:02)

Recovering addicts share their experience in being ready to have God or a higher power remove their character defects.

Step 7 (01:54)

Recovering addicts share their experience in asking God or a higher power to remove their shortcomings. One woman repeats this step daily and to remember her character defects.

Step 8 (03:55)

Recovering addicts share their experience in listing people they have harmed and becoming willing to make amends to them all.

Step 9 (07:48)

Recovering addicts share their experience in making direct amends to the people they harmed—repairing relationships in the process. Participants felt a weight lifted from them with each amend. One woman reflects on learning to be friends with non-alcoholics.

Step 10 (04:54)

Recovering addicts share their experience in continuing to take personal inventory and promptly admitting when they are wrong. People continue to make mistakes and have character defects; this step promotes self-awareness.

Step 11 (05:10)

Recovering addicts share their experience in seeking through prayer and meditation to improve their conscious contact with God as they understand Him.

Step 12 (04:09)

Recovering addicts share their experience in carrying the message of their spiritual awakening to other alcoholics or addicts, and practicing recovery principles. Service work provides a sense of purpose.

12 Step Program: Conclusion (00:46)

The program is based on admitting powerlessness over addiction and needing help from a higher power; helping others on their personal journey through fellowship; and action—incorporating recovery principles into daily life.

Credits: Young Adults Discover the 12 Steps (00:29)

Credits: Young Adults Discover the 12 Steps