Twelve Step Recovery

Twelve Step programs are well-known for use in recovery from addictive or dysfunctional behaviors. The first 12-step program began with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in the 1930s. The 12-Step approach has since grown to be the most widely used approach in dealing with not only alcoholism, but also drug abuse and various other addictive or dysfunctional behaviors.

A twelve-step program is a set of guiding principles for recovery from addictive, compulsive, or other behavioral problems, originally developed by the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) for recovery from alcoholism. Due to the success of AA, many off-shoot programs began to help people recover from any number of destructive behaviors. These programs include Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA), Emotions Anonymous (EA) and many others. The goal of the 12-step program is to help the alcoholic or addict have, as Dr. William Silkworth writes in “The Doctor’s Opinion” in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, an “entire psychic change”. He continues, “once a psychic change has occurred, the very same person who seemed doomed, who had so many problems he despaired of ever solving them, suddenly finds himself easily able to control his desire for alcohol, the only effort necessary being that required to follow a few simple rules.” In order to facilitate this psychic change, these programs suggest that members work the 12 steps of the program.

The Refuge emphasizes 12-step programs for the clients. Clients attend 12-step meetings daily and are encouraged to become active members of the 12-step programs as a means to strengthen their recovery, especially as they leave treatment.