Alcohol & Drug Addictions Recovery Groups

Nearly all alcohol and drug addictions recovery groups are centered around the 12 Steps of Recovery first employed by Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.). It is a plan of action designed to help addicts learn how to abstain from their addiction and grow to live a happy, sober life.

History

• In 1935, a New York City stockbroker and an Akron, Ohio, physician, both long-suffering alcoholics, founded and developed A.A.'s 12-step program. It has since grown to include thousands of groups and millions of members worldwide.

Types

• The unparallelled success of A.A. has spawned dozens of other recovery groups focused on specific addictions. Some of the most prominent drug-recovery programs are Narcotics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, Crystal Meth Anonymous and Marijuana Anonymous.

Function

• "We admitted we were powerless over alcohol [or other drugs] and that our lives had become unmanageable," is the first step in all 12-step recovery programs. The additional 11 steps are learned through a combination of meetings, reading of program literature and sponsorship (a fellow addict who has achieved long-term sobriety helping as a mentor.)

Features

• All 12-step programs are "a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and recover from alcoholism [or another addiction]," A.A. xontends. "There are no dues or fees for membership, and this group is not allied with any other sect, organization or institution."

Considerations

• Many individuals are uncomfortable with the spiritual approach of 12-step recovery programs. To that end, they've formed groups such as Pagans in Recovery and a variety of non-religious programs, most of which still adhere to the basic principles of Alcoholics Anonymous.