- Recovery Tools
- Spiritual Prospective
- 12 Step Program
- Regardless of the addiction, whether it is drugs, alcohol, gambling or relationships, the following 12-step program is the foundation of many recovery programs. The basic 12 steps vary in emphasis from one recovery program to another. Note that no particular religion or spiritual affiliation is required. All are welcome and invited.
- 1. Admit that they are powerless over our addiction; that their lives have
- become unmanageable.
- 2. Believe that with God's help and support they will be able to change.
- 3. Make a decision to turn their will and lives over to God's care and direction.
- 4. Make a honest, searching and fearless moral inventory of themselves.
- 5. Admit to God, to themselves and loved ones the exact nature of their
- problems.
- 6. Confirm that they are ready to let God work with them to remove all their
- character flaws.
- 7. Humbly ask God to remove their shortcomings.
- 8. Made a list of all people they have hurt, and be willing to make amends.
- 9. Make amends to people they have hurt wherever possible, except when to do
- so would cause further hurt.
- 10. Continue to take personal inventory and promptly admit when they are
- wrong.
- 11. Through prayer and meditation continue to improve their relationship with
- God; praying for the knowledge of God's will and the power to carry that
- out.
- 12. Having had a spiritual awakening/renewing as the result of these steps, they then try to bring this healing message to other addicts.
- Members generally recite the steps at the meetings. There may be a presentation or group discussion based upon a particular step, followed by focussing on individual needs or issues that arise. The latter will ensure that each member has the opportunity to address issues of immediate concern, seek help and offer help to others.
- Secular Perspective
- 1. Internal Motivators – Many decide to overcome their addictions based upon interior motives like love, a sense of achievement, competition, responsibility etc. E.g. The love of a child can make some stop denying the issues and seek help. Observing the destructive behaviour of a close friend or relative can increase an individuals determination not to go down a similar path. Other
- addict simply want to improve their overall metal and physical health. Regardless of the reasons, internal motivators can be stepping-stones on the path to recovery.
- 2. External Motivators - These motivators include such things as money, work, housing, etc. E.g. an addict is usually acutely aware that they need money to purchase the addictive substances that they consume. Poor financial and living conditions (due to money being spent on the addiction) may be the incentive someone needs to start spending their money more productively. For
- someone who really value their career/jobs the loss of a promotion opportunity, loss of status, or loss of the career/job it self due to poor performance may result in them making the decision to seek help and turn their life around.
Additional Help
- To help with internal and external motivators, addicts and their family/friends can utilise books, videos, movies, healing music, speakers and events focused on addiction and recovery. A good place to begin is at your own local library or favourite bookstore.
