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12 Steps for Alcohol Rehabilitation

Twelve-step programs help individuals recover from various addictions. The 12-step concept originated with Alcoholics Anonymous, which was founded in the 1930s on the idea of alcoholics helping each other toward recovery. Other recovery organizations, such as Narcotics Anonymous, have adapted the 12 steps for their own particular needs. The 12 steps for alcohol rehabilitation start with acknowledging one's own alcohol problem and move toward helping others recover from theirs.

  1. Steps 1-3

    • The first three steps deal with recognizing that one is powerless over alcohol and that "a power greater than ourselves" can bring about recovery. The third step is to put one's will and life in God's hands. It's important to note that the concept of God in AA relates to each individual's personal understanding, as opposed to a certain religious or denominational viewpoint. Many AA members do not profess a faith in God; instead, they use the group itself or something else as their "higher power."

    Steps 4-9

    • Steps four through nine are associated with analyzing thinking and behavior. Upon understanding his mistakes, the recovering alcoholic admits them to God and another person. He then asks for God's help in removing these shortcomings of the self. He identifies people he has harmed and sets out to make amends to those people.

    Steps 10-12

    • Steps 10 through 12 involve a commitment to continued introspection and ready admission of wrongdoing. The recovering person maintains her personal contact with God and tries to understand God's will. In the 12th step, she commits herself to spreading the message to others in need of help.

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