The first official 12-Step recovery program was started roughly 88 years ago in the then-burgeoning city of Akron, Ohio. This was when two men, Bill Wilson and Dr. Robert Holbrook Smith (more commonly known as Bill W. and Dr. Bob) started Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). They started the program on the principle that only two things were going to keep them recovering from addiction. One was working with another alcoholic. The other was connecting with a “Higher Power” (which they called God). These two principles have since gone on to help millions of people recover from addiction. These principles are also used in what is now called 12-Step facilitation.

What Exactly Is a 12-Step Program?

There is something called a “responsibility statement” that is often read at the end of many 12-Step recovery meetings. It reads, “I am Responsible. When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of [recovery] always to be there. And for that: I am responsible.” This is a big part of what 12-Step recovery ultimately is all about.

Of course, one of the best ways to think about a 12-Step program is to think of it in terms of The Twelve Steps. What a 12-Step program offers are these specific steps to do three things:

  • The first is “to admit” that there is a problem. The first step states that “We admitted we were powerless over [insert the illicit substance of choice here] – that our lives had become unmanageable.”
  • The second is to “accept spiritual help” for that problem. The third step states that we “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God [or insert Higher Power here] as we understood Him.”
  • The third is “to take action.” These actions are found in the remaining steps as a way to “clean up the wreckage of the past” and live a life of recovery moving forward.

What Exactly Is 12-Step Facilitation?

The best way to think about a 12-Step facilitation program is to think of it in uncomplicated terms. A 12-Step facilitation program is a program offered by treatment facilities and recovery centers to help connect their clients to The Twelve Steps.

Many people may ask, “What is the difference between a 12-Step facilitation program and a 12-Step program?” A 12-Step program is very specific and focuses solely on 12-Step recovery. A 12-Step facilitation program offers a connection to a 12-Step program in addition to other treatment modalities.

When dealing with substance use disorder (SUD) in the recovery center setting, it is often best to try multiple treatment options. This way a focused effort can be made to see what works and what doesn’t. It also helps to see which treatments work best alongside each other. This is why 12-Step recovery is often offered in tandem with other treatment modalities. The 12-Step model is also offered because it is one of the most accessible forms of recovery available outside of the recovery center setting.

Utilizing the 12-Step Facilitation for Long-Term Recovery

As Bill W. and Dr. Bob discovered in the beginning, successful recovery is heavily reliant upon working with others. This is why utilizing a 12-Step facilitation program can be great for long-term recovery.

A 12-Step facilitation program can connect individuals to the 12-Step programs and meetings in their community. Due to this connection that can be made in the recovery center setting, an individual will have a safe space to go to as soon as they head back into their everyday lives.

There is another important aspect of 12-Step recovery that should be mentioned. That is the concept of “accountability.” 12-Step recovery makes a person accountable for their actions because they are reliant on an open and honest connection to their fellow members. Additionally, because of the sponsor/sponsee aspect of the program, people often have someone who is directly reliant upon them as well. This accountability is an exceptional way to avoid a potential relapse and another trip back to a recovery center.

The Addiction Recovery Mission at Clearview

Here at Clearview, we believe in The Twelve Steps, which is why we also consider ourselves a 12-Step facilitator. Our principle aligns directly with The Twelve Steps. We believe in admitting our faults, accepting the hand of help, taking action in our own lives, and being accountable to ourselves and those around us.

There is a commonly said maxim in 12-Step recovery that reads, “It works if you work it.” We here at Clearview believe that, too. That is why we work tirelessly to help our students recover. One step at a time, we lead our students down the joyful road of recovery.

Few people in the recovery industry will argue against the efficacy and longevity of 12-Step recovery. Over its nearly 88-year lifespan, 12-Step recovery has helped millions of individuals and their families to recover. Because loved ones also benefit, the number of people helped cannot even truly be quantified. Although it began with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), 12-Step recovery is now available for most substance use disorders (SUDs). If you feel like your daughter is struggling with issues of addiction, please know that she is not alone. We, along with The Twelve Steps, can help get her on the path to long-term recovery. For more information on how 12-Step recovery works, please reach out to Clearview Horizon today at 866-584-4788.