You’re sick and tired of being sick and tired because of a substance use disorder, and you want to break free. While there’s no single magic bullet when it comes to battling addiction, there are some incredibly effective tools that, when combined, can help you reclaim your life.
At Northshore Health, our team can do its part to get you firmly on the road to recovery, but we recommend that you do yours by availing yourself of resources that can help you stay clean and sober, which includes 12-step programs.
If you’re unfamiliar with 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA), here are some of their many benefits.
As their names imply, 12-step programs rely on 12 consecutive steps that help you to live a life free from drugs or alcohol. We’re not going to list the steps here (please click on this link to read them), but we do want to make a couple key points about them.
First, you will see the word “God,” mentioned throughout the steps, but it’s important to note that this usage refers to a higher power. In fact, 12-step groups are not allied with any group, cause, or religious denomination.
Second, the 12 steps are designed to help you through recovery, one step at a time. From admitting you have a problem, to getting sober, to preventing relapse, and to helping the next addict or alcoholic, the 12 steps are a start-to-finish journey that help you stand on your own feet and help others to do the same.
When you enter an AA or NA room, you might see a sign that reads, “You’re not alone.” These three simple words are at the heart of these support groups, which bring together people who are all experiencing the same problems.
When you’re in the throes of a substance use disorder, it can be a lonely place as you isolate yourself and feel that no one could possibly understand what you’re going through. The fact is that millions of people do understand what you’re experiencing and, when they come together, they feel understood and far less alone in the world.
When you attend a 12-step meeting for the first time, it’s likely that you’ll walk away armed with a list of phone numbers and new acquaintances. These people have all faced the same battles as you, and a key part of a 12-step program is to help the next person who walks through the doors.
A 12-step program is designed to provide you with understanding and nonjudgmental support that you can lean on, anytime, anywhere.
At 12-step programs, they often refer to “letting go,” as being one of the most important steps you can take. As an addict or alcoholic, you’ve likely tried to control your life, unsuccessfully, and you’re exhausted by these efforts.
Through a 12-step program, you can finally let go, knowing that there’s a net in place that will keep you safe.
As we mentioned, 12-step programs are an important piece of the recovery puzzle, but not the only piece. Rest assured, we’re here with our own recovery support services, which include detox and medication-assisted treatments as well as referrals to individual and group therapy. To learn more about the many recovery resources, contact our office in Bothell, Washington, to set up an appointment.
