12-Step Programs: 12 Steps of AA

The 12-step approach began with Alcoholics Anonymous in the 1930s. It’s built around a series of principles aimed at helping people stop drinking or using drugs and start rebuilding their lives. The idea is that recovery happens through connection—with others in the group, and with something greater than oneself, however that’s defined.

Twelve-step groups focus on personal responsibility, self-reflection, and mutual support. They’re widely available and have expanded far beyond AA, now serving people recovering from drug use, gambling, eating disorders, and other struggles.

The steps outlined in the original AA program include:

1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

Alcoholics Anonymous founder Bill Wilson created the 12 steps in 1938. He based the structure on his own experiences and on the teachings of the Oxford Group, a spiritual movement of the time. Wilson believed that recovery was possible through personal honesty, shared experience, and support from others who understood what it meant to struggle with addiction.

His writing became known as The Big Book, which continues to guide 12-step programs today. Since then, the model has been adapted for use in a wide variety of mutual support groups.

There’s no set schedule. Some people move through the steps quickly, while others take more time. The pace depends on the individual. In early recovery, it’s common to hear the suggestion to attend “90 meetings in 90 days” to build a strong foundation. But the process isn’t about speed—it’s about doing the work thoroughly and meaningfully.

Research shows that people who actively engage in 12-step programs are more likely to stay sober, especially when they start participating while in treatment. People who take on service roles, work the steps with a sponsor, and attend meetings consistently tend to have better long-term outcomes than those who only attend occasionally.

For some, 12-step meetings are the core of their recovery. For others, they’re one part of a broader treatment plan that may include therapy, medication, or structured rehab programs.

Many fellowships stick closely to the original AA steps, while others make changes to reflect different needs or beliefs. For example:

• Narcotics Anonymous uses nearly the same steps but substitutes “addiction” for “alcohol.”
• Dual Recovery Anonymous supports people managing both mental health conditions and addiction.
• Culturally adapted groups blend traditional 12-step models with Indigenous teachings or cultural values.
• Secular versions remove spiritual references and focus more on personal empowerment.

Many rehab centers, including MPower Wellness, use a method called 12-step facilitation therapy. This approach introduces people to the steps while they’re still in treatment, so they have a chance to connect with a support group before leaving formal care. It’s a way to build a bridge between clinical treatment and long-term community support, increasing the chances of staying in recovery after rehab ends.

Not everyone connects with the 12-step philosophy. Some people prefer programs that focus on personal control rather than surrender, or that don’t include spiritual language. Alternatives include:

• SMART Recovery
• LifeRing Secular Recovery
• Refuge Recovery
• Women for Sobriety

These programs offer peer support and skill-building through a different lens. For many, the best recovery plan includes a mix of approaches.

Twelve-step meetings can be used at any stage of recovery and are often included in:

• Residential Treatment: Live-in programs that provide round-the-clock support and structured care.
• Partial Hospitalization (PHP): Day programs that include medical monitoring, therapy, and 12-step integration.
• Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP): Flexible treatment that fits into daily life while offering access to group support and step work.
• Outpatient Counseling: Ongoing therapy that may include referrals to community-based 12-step groups.

Some treatment centers include a strong spiritual or religious component. These programs may use prayer, scripture, or other faith-based practices alongside counseling and step work. While not for everyone, they can be deeply meaningful for those who want their recovery to align with their beliefs.

Twelve-step groups are available in nearly every town and city, and many are now available online. Start by visiting:

• Alcoholics Anonymous: www.aa.org (Alcoholics Anonymous)
• Narcotics Anonymous: www.na.org
• Cocaine Anonymous: www.ca.org
• Dual Recovery Anonymous: www.draonline.org

You can also ask a treatment provider or counselor for suggestions based on your needs and location.

Addiction thrives in isolation, and recovery thrives in connection. One of the most powerful parts of 12-step programs is knowing that you’re not alone. Whether you’re newly sober or years into recovery, having people who understand you—and who are walking the same path—makes a difference.