Many different addiction support groups use these 12 steps, even those that address things such as shopping or over-eating. If one of your loved ones is in drug rehab, they may be working through the 12 steps themselves. Aside from knowing about rehab centers, it can help to know what these steps are so you can support them. Do you have a prayer request? Here
Join us in prayer as we take addiction boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help those in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
Live a clean life dedicated to God and sobriety.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
12 Steps to Recovery
Step 1: Admit your life has become unmanageable
Recognize that you’re powerless to deal with your addiction on your own. It has taken over your life, and you no longer have any control over anything.
Step 2: Accept that you need God to become sober
Because you have no control over your life, you need to accept that you need God to step in and help you become sober. Without Him, you cannot succeed.
Step 3: Decide to turn over your life to God
Now that you have accepted that you need God to help you, consciously made the decision to turn over your life to Him.
Step 4: Honestly take stock of your life
Take a long, hard, honest look at your life. Where have you done wrong? What mistakes have you made?
Step 5: Admit your wrongs to yourself, God, and others
Fully admit and take responsibility for the mistakes and wrongs you’ve made. Share these wrongs with others and openly admit the mistakes you made.
Step 6: Be ready to have God remove your character defects
Open yourself up to change. Now that you admit your wrongs, be prepared to change those behaviors that led to these mistakes.
Step 7: Ask God to remove your shortcomings
Pray for God to remove these defects and shortcomings so you can change your life for the better.
Step 8: Write down everyone you’ve harmed during your addictions and be ready to make amends
Identify those you’ve hurt during your addiction. Depending on how long you were an addict, this list could be fairly long.
Step 9: Make amends to those you’ve harmed
Note that there is one caveat with this step: if you know reaching out to someone you’ve hurt will only upset them further, don’t do it. This step isn’t to make you feel better—it’s to sincerely apologize to others for the pain you’ve caused. Don’t cause additional pain just to try to make amends.
Step 10: Continue to honestly look at your actions and admit when you’re wrong
Continually self-monitor to determine if you’re doing the right thing. If you’re not, admit it and make changes.
Step 11: Pray to God for direction and the power to follow those directions
Pray for direction from God to continue living a sober life.
Step 12: Put into practice what you’ve learned and carried the message of faith and recovery to other addicts.
The 12 Steps of Recovery
Honesty: After many years of denial, recovery can begin with one simple admission of being powerless over alcohol or any other drug a person is addicted to. Their friends and family may also use this step to admit their loved one has an addiction.
Faith: Before a higher power can begin to operate, you must first believe that it can. Someone with an addiction accepts that there is a higher power to help them heal.
Surrender: You can change your self-destructive decisions by recognizing that you alone cannot recover; with help from your higher power, you can.
Soul searching: The person in recovery must identify their problems and get a clear picture of how their behavior affected themselves and others around them.
Integrity: Step 5 provides a great opportunity for growth. The person in recovery must admit their wrongs in front of their higher power and another person.
Acceptance: The key to Step 6 is acceptance—accepting character defects exactly as they are and becoming entirely willing to let them go.
Humility: The spiritual focus of Step 7 is humility, or asking a higher power to do something that cannot be done by self-will or mere determination.
Willingness: This step involves making a list of those you harmed before coming into recovery.
Forgiveness: Making amends may seem challenging, but for those serious about recovery, it can be a great way to start healing your relationships.
Maintenance: Nobody likes to admit to being wrong. But it is a necessary step in order to maintain spiritual progress in recovery.
Making contact: The purpose of Step 11 is to discover the plan your higher power has for your life.
Service: The person in recovery must carry the message to others and put the principles of the program into practice in every area of their life.
The final step is to continue to practice the 12 steps throughout the rest of your life. Addiction doesn’t end just because you’ve completed the program or any substance abuse treatment. It’s something you’ll battle for the rest of your life, so you must continue to work to remain sober. You also need to share the message of sobriety and faith with others you know are battling addiction. Live a clean life dedicated to God and sobriety.
Join us in prayer as we take addiction boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help those in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16. Do you have a prayer request? Here
SAMHSA National Helpline
Confidential free help, from public health agencies, to find substance use treatment and information. Learn more
1-800-662-4357
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