personality disorders explained

Twelve-step program
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A Twelve-step program is a set of guiding principles for recovery from
addictive, compulsive, or other behavioural problems, originally developed by the
fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous ("A.A.") to guide recovery from alcoholism.
The twelve steps were first published in the text Alcoholics Anonymous ("The Big
Book"). This method has been adapted as the foundation of other twelve-step
programs such as Narcotics Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, Marijuana
Anonymous, Crystal Meth Anonymous, Co-Dependents Anonymous and Emotions
Anonymous. Mandated court involvement with 12-step fellowships is a
controversial practice of some governments; as stated in the Twelve Traditions,
Twelve-step fellowships have no opinion as a group on issues other than personal
recovery. As summarized by the American Psychological Association, working the
Twelve Steps involves the following.
admitting that one cannot control one's addiction or compulsion;
recognizing a spiritual higher power that can give strength;
examining past errors with the help of a sponsor (experienced
member);
making amends for these errors;
learning to live a new life with a new code of behaviour;
helping others that suffer from the same addictions or compulsions.
Overview of
Twelve-Step
Programs
The way of life outlined
in the 12-steps has
been adapted widely.
The effects of A.A.
recovery within the
family unit providing
improved quality of life
resulted in fellowships
like
Al-Anon;
substance-dependent
people who did not
relate to the specifics of alcohol dependency started meeting together as
Narcotics Anonymous [3] ; similar groups were formed for sufferers of cocaine
addiction, crystal meth addiction and many other behavioural problems.
Behavioural issues such as compulsion and/or addiction with sex, food, and
gambling were found to be solved for some people with the daily application of
the 12-steps in such fellowships as Sexual Compulsives Anonymous, Overeaters
Anonymous and Emotions Anonymous. Other groups addressing problems with