When you realize you need to get help with alcohol addiction, you may be considering a rehab program to get sober. All treatment programs are different in what they offer and how they deal with each patient. For some, a 12-step rehab program is recommended to help patients get past their alcohol addiction and live a sober life.

Let’s look at how these programs work and what other treatments may need to be in place for an individual to live a sober life.

What is the 12-Step Rehab Program?

The ideas behind the 12-step program date back to 1939 when Bill Wilson, the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, started to write about the ideas that developed through his experience with alcoholism. ^[1] The book is often referred to as “The Big Book.” It got its name because the book’s first edition had thick pages.

Through the years, the ideas in this book became the cornerstone of many alcohol rehab programs. They are looked at as ways to help people recover from their alcohol addictions and as a guide to living a sober life.

What Are the 12 Ideas Behind the Program?

If you are considering using the 12-step program as part of your treatment, it’s important to know what they include. Here is a list from Alcoholics Anonymous. ^[2]

We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.
Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
Humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings.
Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Continued to take personal inventory and, when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him. Prayed only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

For many people, these ideas work for not only alcohol addictions but also for other substance addictions. ^[3] Findings on the success rate of the 12-step program are difficult to come by as many people like to remain anonymous in their treatments. Through the years, many people have found success in this type of program as it is coupled with other types of treatment.

How Does the 12-step Program Work?

One of the first things many people notice about the 12-step program is that it makes many religious references. But, you do not need to be religious to join the program. The program’s goal is to help everyone get rid of their addiction despite their spiritual beliefs.

When you take part in a 12-step program, you generally have a sponsor who sticks by you through the process and serves as your mentor. You will attend meetings where you have the opportunity to share your story or your feelings. ^[4] Everyone gets a chance to speak if they choose.

If a certain step is being discussed at a meeting, the leader will talk about it. Once the meeting is over, people sometimes gather and socialize. This is a great opportunity to meet other people who are going through the same thing. It’s also a good time to start building new friendships with people on the same path. Engaging with people who are also fighting for their sobriety won’t put you in situations where you are tempted to relapse.

Using the 12-step Rehab Program with Other Treatments

While the 12-step program can be an integral part of your treatment, it must be done in conjunction with other methods. Many times, patients need to go through detox before they even begin the program. This is why going through the program with the help of a rehab center can be beneficial.

If detox is necessary, it will be done under medical supervision. Once your body is rid of the addictive substance, therapy and other treatments can begin. Some patients benefit from dual diagnosis as part of their rehab. This can help to treat underlying mental issues that may have led to the addiction.

When the 12-step program is done under the guidance of a rehab center, the patient benefits more because they are getting help for all of the causes leading up to their addiction. They can have a better chance of leading a sober life.

Contact Us and Start 12-Step Rehab Now

At Ocean Hills Recovery, we incorporate the ideas of the 12-step program with other treatment methods. Therapy, medical, psychological, and spiritual approaches help to guide patients through their program. All of these methods and custom programming help our patients see the reasons behind their addictions and learn how to avoid triggers and certain situations that can fuel them.

We customize each program unique to each patient. Since each person’s addiction is different, their path to recovery needs to be different as well. Patients learn to not only get past their addiction but how to live a sober life without relapsing.

To get more information on our program, contact us online. Let us show you how to eliminate the substance addiction in your life and start living the sober life you deserve.

Sources:

[1] Alcoholics Anonymous: A.A.’s Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, and Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions Now Available in eBook Format, https://www.aa.org/press-releases/en_US/press-releases/aas-big-book-alcoholics-anonymous-and-twelve-steps-and-twelve-traditions-now-available-in-ebook-format

[2] SMF-121_en – The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (aa.org), https://www.aa.org/assets/en_US/smf-121_en.pdf

[3] The 12 Steps of Recovery Programs (verywellmind.com), https://www.verywellmind.com/the-twelve-steps-63284

[4] Going to Your First 12-Step Meeting (verywellmind.com), https://www.verywellmind.com/what-can-i-expect-at-a-12-step-meeting-63409

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does drug and alcohol rehab last?

The length of your stay at drug and alcohol rehab will vary for each person attending rehab and from treatment center to treatment center. Most inpatient programs are at least 30 days long; however, some programs may incorporate a shorter inpatient stay with a more extended outpatient stay. The best rehab centers will provide a more custom treatment plan for each person that takes into account the individual’s needs before determining the length of treatment. Ocean Hills Recovery offers a variety of options for addiction treatment. A typical stay at our inpatient drug and alcohol rehab programs last between 30 to 45 days.

Do I need inpatient or outpatient treatment?

Outpatient is an excellent option for people who are unable to take time away from work or their families while receiving addiction treatment. Inpatient treatment is an excellent option for people who can be away from their work or families for at least several weeks for treatment. We recommend that you contact a reliable treatment center, like Ocean Hills Recovery, for a complete assessment before you decide whether inpatient or outpatient treatment for addiction is best for you.

Should I get addiction treatment locally or away?

The answer to whether you should go away or stay local for addiction treatment is very individual. Many people need to get away from their everyday life for them to fully submerge themselves in their addiction recovery process. For these individuals, going to an out of state treatment center is the best option to be able to commit fully and concentrate on their recovery. For others, this is not an option because of work or family obligations.

What do I do if I don’t have insurance for drug rehab?

There are options for drug rehab, even if you don’t have insurance. When you decide to get help, the best thing to do is to find a treatment philosophy that you believe may help and contact them for assistance. Rehab professionals can help you determine if you have insurance coverage for addiction treatment, and what options are best for you. Many drug rehabs accept insurance but also have private pay, or financing options available. Contact our rehab admissions specialist today, and we can help you navigate insurance questions, payment options, and treatment plans.

How to find a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center?

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website is a great place to start when you are looking for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. We recommend that you make a list of a few different centers to contact and speak with them to get a feel for their programs, therapies, and staff and find the center that you feel most comfortable with. Have a list of questions that you can ask each center to help you through the process. One of the most important questions to ask is if the rehab holds accreditation by CARF. Having a state license is no longer enough to ensure that a rehab center is reputable. If the rehab holds CARF accreditation, they have had to meet a more strict set of guidelines and procedures.

Do I need detox before addiction treatment?

Many people require detox to help manage withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs. There are several factors that we take into consideration to determine if you will need detox before addiction treatment. Our admissions professionals work with each person to obtain a thorough history of substance use and other medical conditions to help make the appropriate recommendations for care. You must give accurate information so that we can keep you as comfortable as possible if you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. However, detox is only the first step in addiction recovery. For long-lasting addiction recovery, a person must deal with the underlying issues that lead to substance use in the first place. Contact us today for a confidential assessment.

How 12-Step Rehab Programs Work