One of the longest success stories in the history of substance abuse treatment is that of the 12 step program. These programs have endured over 75 years and continue to be a key in the sobriety of many people. Originally developed to help the alcoholic, today, there are programs and support groups for many issues that use the model as a basis.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) began in the early 1930s to provide support for those who were struggling with sobriety. At the time there were not a lot of choices for treatment, although a few hospitals offered drying out facilities, the precursor of today's detox center. While the steps did not exist at the founding of AA, they were developed within the next few years and have been the key to many becoming abstinent.
Bill Wilson's Big Book was the first place the steps were put together in official form. This book was first printed several years after the formation of AA. While many were being passed around orally, they were first codified by Wilson. In fact, the number of steps often varied before Wilson's first publication.
According to Wilson, it took between 20 and 30 minutes to write these steps that have had a major impact on substance abuse treatment for 75 years. Wilson claimed to have begun writing and once complete counted the steps that had been listed to find they added to twelve. Once complete there was little editing to complete the code.
Although the original set of steps used God in several places, Wilson edited the list to reduce the usage to a minimum so the help could be used by all faiths. Later the addition of "as we understood Him" was included after each mention of the deity. Today, "higher power" often replaces "God" in the listings.
Many of the principles recorded in the twelve steps are tractable to the Oxford Group. This was a Christian organization started by a Lutheran minister that became very active in the 1900s. Wilson claims they were responsible for some of the spiritual principles but that they also had attitudes incompatible with AA that were discarded.
While the twelve step program continues in practical use today, it has come under fire recently. Some research shows that an alcoholic meeting with his spouse and a counselor can see the same results as an individual attending weekly meetings. Others claim individuals are just as successful at quitting without the group at all. The steps are often seen as to dependant on the work of God or another higher power.
For 75 years, individuals trapped by alcoholism have found help through AA. The group's 12 step program has formed the basis of many different support groups, some for fighting alcoholism while others facing other types of substance abuse problems. The steps may be adapted for emotional disorders and other situations as well. Each group tends to modify the steps slightly with changes in wording to make them more appropriate for the group. Often the group will ask for permission from AA before making the changes.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) began in the early 1930s to provide support for those who were struggling with sobriety. At the time there were not a lot of choices for treatment, although a few hospitals offered drying out facilities, the precursor of today's detox center. While the steps did not exist at the founding of AA, they were developed within the next few years and have been the key to many becoming abstinent.
Bill Wilson's Big Book was the first place the steps were put together in official form. This book was first printed several years after the formation of AA. While many were being passed around orally, they were first codified by Wilson. In fact, the number of steps often varied before Wilson's first publication.
According to Wilson, it took between 20 and 30 minutes to write these steps that have had a major impact on substance abuse treatment for 75 years. Wilson claimed to have begun writing and once complete counted the steps that had been listed to find they added to twelve. Once complete there was little editing to complete the code.
Although the original set of steps used God in several places, Wilson edited the list to reduce the usage to a minimum so the help could be used by all faiths. Later the addition of "as we understood Him" was included after each mention of the deity. Today, "higher power" often replaces "God" in the listings.
Many of the principles recorded in the twelve steps are tractable to the Oxford Group. This was a Christian organization started by a Lutheran minister that became very active in the 1900s. Wilson claims they were responsible for some of the spiritual principles but that they also had attitudes incompatible with AA that were discarded.
While the twelve step program continues in practical use today, it has come under fire recently. Some research shows that an alcoholic meeting with his spouse and a counselor can see the same results as an individual attending weekly meetings. Others claim individuals are just as successful at quitting without the group at all. The steps are often seen as to dependant on the work of God or another higher power.
For 75 years, individuals trapped by alcoholism have found help through AA. The group's 12 step program has formed the basis of many different support groups, some for fighting alcoholism while others facing other types of substance abuse problems. The steps may be adapted for emotional disorders and other situations as well. Each group tends to modify the steps slightly with changes in wording to make them more appropriate for the group. Often the group will ask for permission from AA before making the changes.
