An alcoholics 12 step program

The twelve step program was introduced by Alcoholics Anonymous, a worldwide fellowship that provides support for alcoholics.

The twelve step program is the spiritual foundation for personal recovery from the effects of alcoholism. For the alcoholic, their family and friends.

For many alcoholics in recovery the twelve steps are not just a way to stop drinking, but also a way of life.

Step 1: Honesty

After many years of denial, recovery can begin, with one simple admission of being powerless over alcohol- for alcoholics, their family and friends.

Step 2: Faith

It seems to be a spiritual truth, that before higher power can begin to operate, you must first believe that it can.

Step 3: Surrender

A lifetime of self-will run riot, can come to a screeching halt, and change forever, by making a simple decision to turn it all over to higher power.

Step 4: Soul Searching

There is a saying in the 12-step program that recovery is a process, not an event. The same can be said for this step-more will be revealed.

Step 5: Integrity

Probably the most difficult of all steps to face. Step 5 is the one that also provides the greatest opportunity for growth.

Step 6: Acceptance

The key to step 6 is acceptance- accepting character defects exactly as they are and becoming entirely willing to let them go.

Step 7: Humility

The spiritual focus of step 7 is humility, asking a higher power to do something that cannot be done by self-will or determination.

Step 8: Willingness

Making a list of those harmed before coming into recovery may sound simple. Becoming willing to actually make those amends is the difficult part.

Step 9: Forgiveness

Making amends may seem like a bitter pill to swallow, but for those serious about recovery, it can be a great thing for the soul.

Step 10: Maintenance

Nobody likes to admit to being wrong. But it is necessary to maintain progress in recovery.

Step 11: Making Contact

The purpose of step 11, is to discover life that has been planned for you.

Step 12: Service

For those in recovery programs, step 12 is simply, how it works.

Hitting Rock Bottom

Hitting rock bottom is a positive state for an alcoholic. As in most situations, it must get worse, before it gets better.

Hitting bottom is the place that an alcoholic must reach before he can finally admit that he has a problem and reaches out for help. Of course, an alcoholic is in denial to the fact that he has a problem and the last thing that occurs to a true alcoholic, is that they need help.

Alcoholism is a progressive disease and therefore any alcoholic will reach a point in which they decide that there might be a problem. As alcoholism progresses, it continues to affect the alcoholic physically and mentally. They will get worse and worse, until they hit bottom.

'Bottom' is a place in which all alcoholics will reach, but when, simply depends on the individual. Some alcoholics will continue for many years, denying their state, but the bottom will be hit, even by the most dedicated alcoholics. 

Enabling Effect

Anyone who has a close relationship with an alcoholic, will try to protect him or her. You would think that standing by the ones you love would be the right thing to do, but remember, an alcoholic is not the typical person. 

By protecting the alcoholic, you are actually enabling them to continue on the path of alcoholism. You are telling them that they are not doing anything wrong and they can continue to believe that they are independent.

With denial still intact, the alcoholic can progress into alcoholism with the help and feed of an enabler.

It is not until an alcoholic hits rock bottom, when he has no more support from friends and family, that they can finally admit that their is a problem. Enablers, simply stand in the way and prolong this admittance.

Denial-a symbol of alcoholism

For over 10 years, it was unknown that he was an alcoholic. More to the point, he didn't know either. 

As alcoholism progresses, so does denial. As family or friend, it is possibly the most frustrating factor of alcoholism.

As an alcoholic drinks more and more often, he will hide this fact from those around him. If drinking habits arise in conversation, more than likely, he will dismiss it. 

Slowly, an alcoholic will drink his way towards mental, physical and moral decline. With that comes dishonesty. An alcoholic will lie about anything and everything. 

Denial is the integral part of alcoholism, it is the primary symptom described as drinking despite of adverse consequences. 

The power of an alcoholic's denial may be so strong that it carries over to the alcoholic's family and important people in his or her life, convincing them that the alcoholic's problem is something other than what it is-bad luck or weak health.