{"id":45554,"date":"2025-02-18T21:04:16","date_gmt":"2025-02-18T21:04:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/?p=45554"},"modified":"2026-02-11T16:35:37","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T16:35:37","slug":"what-are-the-12-steps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/what-are-the-12-steps\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are the 12 Steps?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\">[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]The 12 Steps are a set of principles that originally outlined a course of action for <a href=\"\/alcohol-addiction\/\">recovery from alcohol addiction<\/a>, compulsion, and other behavioral issues. They were first implemented by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in 1938 by organization founder Bill W.<\/p>\n<p>Since then, they have been adopted by various other 12-step programs. Although the 12 steps were created for alcohol addiction, they\u2019re applicable for recovery from other drugs. Somewhat spiritual in nature, the steps emphasize:[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]\n<ul>\n<li>Honesty<\/li>\n<li>Faith<\/li>\n<li>Hope<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]\n<ul>\n<li>Courage<\/li>\n<li>Integrity<\/li>\n<li>Willingness<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]\n<ul>\n<li>Humility<\/li>\n<li>Love<\/li>\n<li>Service<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]It&#8217;s important to note that the 12 Steps aren\u2019t meant to be a quick fix for addiction. They outline a lifelong journey of recovery. They require honesty, commitment, and a willingness to change while emphasizing personal responsibility and self-awareness for spiritual growth.<\/p>\n<p>Although they emphasize spiritual growth, they aren\u2019t affiliated with any specific religion and can be adapted to fit anyone\u2019s beliefs. The \u201cGod\u201d in the 12 Steps does not have to be a religious figure. It is acceptable to keep in mind a higher power, such as nature, or what happens when people gather together to help each other. <a href=\"\/breaking-down-the-first-three-steps-of-aa\/\">The first three steps<\/a> are sometimes considered the most important, but each of the steps is perceived as valuable in the overall journey.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_87 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/what-are-the-12-steps\/#the-12-steps\" >The 12 Steps<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/what-are-the-12-steps\/#do-the-12-steps-guarantee-sobriety\" >Do the 12 Steps Guarantee Sobriety?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/what-are-the-12-steps\/#do-you-have-to-follow-the-12-steps-to-be-sober\" >Do You Have to Follow the 12 Steps to Be Sober?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/what-are-the-12-steps\/#what-happens-when-you-finish-the-12-steps\" >What Happens When You Finish the 12 Steps?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/what-are-the-12-steps\/#main-points-of-completing-the-12-steps\" >Main Points of Completing the 12 Steps<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/what-are-the-12-steps\/#start-your-recovery-at-principles-recovery\" >Start Your Recovery at Principles Recovery<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"the-12-steps\"><\/span>The 12 Steps<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-46541 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/12-step-program-explained.jpg\" alt=\"a group of patients standing during therapy\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/12-step-program-explained.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/12-step-program-explained-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/12-step-program-explained-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/>The 12 steps are as follows:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>We admitted we were powerless over our addiction and that our lives had become unmanageable. <\/strong>This step involves recognizing the reality of your addiction and your inability to control it on your own.<\/li>\n<li><strong>We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. <\/strong>This step encourages you to seek help from a higher power, which, depending on your beliefs, can be interpreted in many ways.<\/li>\n<li><strong>We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. <\/strong>This step involves giving up control and trusting in a higher power to guide your recovery.<\/li>\n<li><strong>We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. <\/strong>In step 4, you take an honest and complete look at your character, including your strengths and weaknesses.<\/li>\n<li><strong>We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. <\/strong>This involves confessing your wrongdoings and accepting responsibility for your actions.<\/li>\n<li><strong>We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. <\/strong>This means being willing to change and open to letting go of negative traits.<\/li>\n<li><strong>We humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. <\/strong>This step involves seeking help from a higher power to help you overcome your flaws.<\/li>\n<li><strong>We made a list of all the people we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. <\/strong>In step 8, you identify those people who have been hurt by your actions and prepare to make amends.<\/li>\n<li><strong>We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. <\/strong>In this step, you take action to make amends and repair relationships while also considering the well-being of everyone involved.<\/li>\n<li><strong>We continued to take personal inventory and, when we were wrong, promptly admitted it. <\/strong>Step 10 involves maintaining self-awareness and taking responsibility for your actions on a continuing basis.<\/li>\n<li><strong>We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out. <\/strong>This involves deepening your spiritual connection and seeking guidance from a higher power.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.<\/strong> This step involves sharing your experience, strength, and hope with others and living a life guided by the principles of the 12 Steps.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"do-the-12-steps-guarantee-sobriety\"><\/span>Do the 12 Steps Guarantee Sobriety?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>No, the 12 Steps do not \u201cguarantee\u201d sobriety. Since there isn\u2019t any specific, single cause for addiction, there isn\u2019t any single standard treatment. A variety of treatments are usually used, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Medication management<\/li>\n<li>Counseling<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/therapy\/individual-therapy\/\">Individual therapy<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Support groups<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Sobriety is a lifelong journey, and it will always be necessary to review the 12 Steps at any time. Some people like to complete the Steps within a given timeline and get them out of the way. But in reality, the Steps will be crucial to your life throughout your sobriety journey.<\/p>\n<p>Twelve-step groups serve as a source of behavior change for many people as a supplement to formal treatment or as a form of continuing care and support after treatment. These groups are easy to find throughout the world and can be a valuable resource in substance abuse recovery.<\/p>\n<p>Newcomers are not required to accept or follow the 12 Steps if they don\u2019t feel willing or able to do so. They are asked to keep an open mind and attend meetings where recovering alcoholics talk about their personal experiences. They\u2019re also encouraged to read the AA literature.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"do-you-have-to-follow-the-12-steps-to-be-sober\"><\/span>Do You Have to Follow the 12 Steps to Be Sober?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A person doesn\u2019t have to follow the Steps to be sober. But it can be an important addition to the treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD), also known as alcoholism. The 12 Steps can provide a gradual and structured process of recovery. It relates to changing behaviors, thoughts, and relationships related to addiction.<\/p>\n<p>In 2020, an analysis by Keith Humphreys, PhD, at Stanford School of Medicine found that AA works because it is based on social communication and cooperation. This makes it ideal for treating other <a href=\"\/drug-addiction\/\">substance addictions<\/a>. The Stanford study also noted that members provide emotional support along with practical tips on resisting drinking. Most of the studies that measured abstinence found that AA was 60% more effective than other interventions or none at all.<\/p>\n<p>Some people never actually finish the Steps. It\u2019s possible you may want to revisit a Step years after you thought you were through with it. They aren\u2019t meant to be started and completed one by one until a person is \u201ccured.\u201d The Steps are meant to be a guide to a life in recovery, and it\u2019s even expected that they\u2019ll be a consistent part of life.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what-happens-when-you-finish-the-12-steps\"><\/span>What Happens When You Finish the 12 Steps?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-46539 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/what-are-the-12-steps.jpg\" alt=\"Gorup of five people in 12-step meeting in multi-use room full of plants\" width=\"900\" height=\"593\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/what-are-the-12-steps.jpg 900w, https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/what-are-the-12-steps-300x198.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/what-are-the-12-steps-768x506.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>When a person \u201cfinishes\u201d the 12 Steps, it is meant to be a milestone of a significant personal transformation. It is meant to symbolize that a person has acknowledged powerlessness over their addiction, taken responsibility, made amends, and experienced a spiritual awakening. This can lead to a renewed sense of purpose in life and a commitment to helping others in recovery by sharing their story and practicing the principles of the Steps in all aspects of life.<\/p>\n<p>While working through the Steps, it\u2019s important to realize that you never really finish. Even after completing the program, it\u2019s expected that you will continue to repeat them when necessary, which helps you maintain the new skills you learned.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"main-points-of-completing-the-12-steps\"><\/span>Main Points of Completing the 12 Steps<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Completing the steps is not the end. It can mark the beginning of continued sobriety and active participation in recovery.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Spiritual Growth: <\/strong>Sometimes this is described as a spiritual awakening. It describes finding a higher power or a sense of meaning that helps guide you.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Responsibility: <\/strong>This is actively taking responsibility for actions by working through the steps and taking ownership of the harm caused by your addiction.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Making Amends: <\/strong>This means you have identified the people you\u2019ve hurt and made amends for them when possible. The goal is to repair damaged relationships.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Serving Others: <\/strong>You are encouraged to share your experiences and carry the message of recovery to others to help them with their addiction struggles.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Continuous Process: <\/strong>Recovery is considered an ongoing process. This idea requires a continued commitment to practicing the Steps in daily life and attending meetings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"start-your-recovery-at-principles-recovery\"><\/span>Start Your Recovery at Principles Recovery<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>At Principles Recovery Center in South Florida, we help you break the grip of addiction. To begin, we can help you with a medical detox to rid your body of the substance you\u2019ve been using, whether it\u2019s alcohol or drugs. We can also help with <a href=\"\/programs\/relapse-prevent\">relapse prevention<\/a>, learning your triggers and how to handle them. Our therapists can help you learn about yourself and the nature of any underlying conditions that make you susceptible to substance use.<\/p>\n<p>Our caring staff of professionals is ready to help you understand and overcome your addiction. Don\u2019t wait. <a href=\"\/contact\/\">Contact us today.<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row gap=&#8221;3&#8243; title_tag=&#8221;h2&#8243; section_title_tag=&#8221;h4&#8243; style=&#8221;classic&#8221; shape=&#8221;rounded&#8221; color=&#8221;grey&#8221; no_fill=&#8221;&#8221; spacing=&#8221;3&#8243; c_align=&#8221;left&#8221; autoplay=&#8221;none&#8221; collapsible_all=&#8221;true&#8221; c_icon=&#8221;chevron&#8221; c_position=&#8221;left&#8221; active_section=&#8221;0&#8243; el_class=&#8221;tdiAccordion&#8221; title=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_column][vc_tta_accordion spacing=&#8221;3&#8243; gap=&#8221;3&#8243; c_align=&#8221;left&#8221; c_icon=&#8221;chevron&#8221; c_position=&#8221;left&#8221; active_section=&#8221;0&#8243; collapsible_all=&#8221;true&#8221; el_class=&#8221;tdiAccordion&#8221;][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;References:&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1739912584039-3954f968-55b4&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<a href=\"https:\/\/www.aacle.org\/writing-the-12-steps\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.aacle.org\/writing-the-12-steps\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC3753023\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC3753023\/<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 12 Steps are a set of principles that originally outlined a course of action for recovery from alcohol addiction, compulsion, and other behavioral issues. They were first implemented by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in 1938 by organization founder Bill W.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":45555,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[79],"tags":[108],"class_list":["post-45554","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-treatment","tag-what-are-the-12-steps"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45554","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45554"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45554\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":46542,"href":"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45554\/revisions\/46542"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/45555"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45554"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45554"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thebrandsmen.com\/principlesrecoverycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45554"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}