12-Step Therapy | Benefits and How it is Used

• Acceptance: The first step encourages you to admit and accept that there is a problem, and by doing so you take control of your addiction.
• Trust: Trusting in a “higher power” gives you hope for recovery. Your higher power does not have to be a religious God – it can be anything important to you.
• Liberation: Acknowledge your chosen higher power and engage with the way it wants you to live.
• Understanding: Examine past thoughts and behaviours and assess the morality of your actions.
• Acknowledgement: Acknowledge and share past mistakes with others. While this may be difficult, it opens the door for deep connections and the realisation that no one is perfect.
• Freedom: Let go of thoughts and behaviours that damage you and your life.
• Growth: Focus on practising humility and connecting with your chosen higher power as you look for guidance.
• Reflection: Reflect on the damage and hurt that your addiction has caused and become comfortable with the idea of making amends.
• Forgiveness: Ask for forgiveness and put right the damage your addiction has caused, but only if this will not cause more pain in another’s life.
• Continuity: Continue on your journey of personal growth by constantly assessing your thoughts and behaviours and how they might impact you.
• Connection: Connect with your chosen higher power and look for insight – this could take the form of meditation or journaling as a method of reflection.
• Helping others: The final step asks you to share the lessons you have learned through 12-step therapy and support others on their same journey.

Addiction recovery is a journey and it may include some obstacles along the way. While the 12-step programme has been proven as an effective treatment, just like other therapies, it does not come without its challenges.

Some of the most common challenges faced during the 12-step programme include:

• Resistance to the spiritual “higher power”: The 12-step philosophy places a strong emphasis on spirituality and surrendering to a higher power. Some individuals struggle with this aspect, especially if they do not come from a religious background. It can be helpful to use the acronym “Good Orderly Direction”, instead of the word, “God”, and remember that your higher power can be anything at all.
• Taking ownership of your actions: In 12-step therapy, you are encouraged to take an honest inventory of your past behaviour and make amends for any harm caused. This can be an incredibly difficult and emotionally challenging process.
• Being open and honest in a group setting: 12-step therapy requires vulnerability, and for most people this is daunting. However, sharing your experiences and listening to others can provide a sense of community and support, helping you to see that you are not alone in your struggles.
• Staying committed: Recovery is a lifelong journey and it can be easy to lose motivation or become complacent over time. Staying committed to the 12-step philosophy and attending meetings regularly can help maintain motivation and build a strong foundation for lasting recovery.

Addiction recovery requires resilience and dedication, even through the hard times. Recovery Lighthouse is here to support you through the good and the bad – our team can provide you with all the resources you need to succeed.

The success of 12-step therapy depends on a variety of factors, including your willingness to participate, your commitment to the programme and the level of support you receive. To make the most out of 12-step therapy, it is important to stay open-minded and willing to delve into the 12 steps wholeheartedly.

Having said that, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to addiction treatment, and what works well for one person may not have the same impact on you. This is why Recovery Lighthouse offers a wide variety of therapy modalities alongside 12-step, allowing you to explore different treatment options and find out what works best for you.