12-Step Facilitation Therapy

Many recovering addicts continue to receive therapy even after finishing a substance abuse treatment program. Post-rehabilitation programs enable individuals to build robust support groups, practice healthy coping mechanisms, and gain new skills and techniques for drug and alcohol abstinence. Many people choose to join 12-step programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA). You can find these programs scattered throughout the country. No matter where you live, you should be able to locate a 12-step program that allows you to receive peer-based support and connect with other recovering addicts. 

Clients at United Recovery Project can attend 12-step programs while receiving treatment in our luxury rehabilitation center. We also help them identify a 12-step program that they can attend after completing our drug and alcohol treatment program. However, some individuals may be apprehensive about joining a 12-step facilitation program, especially in the early stages of their recovery journey. Therefore, many rehabilitation centers offer 12-step facilitation therapy – a prerequisite to a 12-step program.

What Is 12-Step Facilitation Therapy?

12-step facilitation therapy is a strategy used to encourage someone to actively participate in a 12-step program. The goal isn’t to get them to show up to one session but rather to immerse themself to a point where they thrive. 12-step facilitation therapy may occur while someone is in a rehabilitation center or after they have finished substance abuse treatment. Participating in 12-step facilitation therapy after leaving rehab is often most advantageous as doing so encourages you to stay on track.

In a 12-step facilitation therapy, the client first learns to accept addiction However, those who are already near the end of rehab have probably come to terms with their addiction. Clients who are just starting out may need more guidance before accepting that they’re an addict. Either way, acceptance is crucial, and you can’t move forward without acknowledging you’re an addict. 

After an individual accepts that they have an addiction, they must surrender themselves to those around them (i.e., peers, therapists, and counselors). While feeling vulnerable is typical,12-step facilitation therapy helps the client open up and look forward to the various benefits that a 12-step program offers. 

Lastly, 12-step facilitation therapy’s primary goal is to persuade an individual to actively participate in a 12-step program. This doesn’t mean forcing the client into a program – they have to be willing for it to be effective. Nevertheless, 12-step facilitation therapy has been proven efficacious, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

The Benefits Of 12-Step Facilitation Therapy

The benefits of 12-step therapy are truly endless. In fact, 12-step facilitation therapy can help you avoid relapse, build a support group, and achieve your short- and long-term goals. Some of the benefits of 12-step facilitation therapy, include, but are not limited to:

• Acknowledge your addiction is a chronic disease
• Learn to surrender yourself 
• Understand that you’re not in complete control
• Identify the best 12-step programs
• Become willing to engage with peers on the same recovery journey
• Build a support group that can help you sustain sobriety

Popular 12-Step Programs

Some of the most common 12-step programs include:

• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
• Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
• Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA)
• Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA)
• Gamblers Anonymous (GA)
• Nicotine Anonymous (NicA)
• Eating Disorders Anonymous (EDA)

As you can see, 12-step programs aren’t just for alcohol and drug addicts. There are also programs for individuals suffering from mental health disorders as well as sex and gambling addictions. Our team will work with you to choose the best 12-step program that suits your long-term needs.

What Are The 12 Steps?

12-step isn’t just a fancy name; these programs actually consist of 12 steps. But, not all 12-step programs have the same steps – it can vary. Let’s take a look at the 12 steps of one of the most popular programs – Alcoholics Anonymous (AA):

1. Members must first admit their lives have become “unmanageable” to alcohol.
2. There’s a higher power that can restore sanity.
3. Participants decided to turn their lives over to God as they understand him.
4. Recovering addicts must search for a “fearless moral inventory.”
5. One must accept their wrongs and admit them.
6. AA members are ready for God to remove their defects.
7. God has been asked to remove any shortcomings.
8. Members make a list of everyone in their lives they have harmed.
9. After identifying people they have harmed, AA members must try to make amends with these individuals.
10. Continuously recognize and admit to any wrongdoings
11. Pray and meditate to improve contact with God
12. Experience a “spiritual awakening” and relay this message to other recovering (and current) alcoholics.

As you can see, many 12-steps programs have a religious element. Many recovering addicts resort to religion to guide them and help them find their purpose in life. Nonetheless, you don’t have to be religious to participate in a 12-step program. For instance, many programs incorporate spirituality over a particular religion, such as Christianity. Moreover, the 12-steps don’t occur in a short amount of time. Some people may attend a program for years until they truly have a spiritual awakening as noted in step twelve.