Twelve-step program

The twelve-step program is the spiritual program of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA ), which should help to abstinence from alcohol and to a new lifestyle alcoholics.

The program was developed in the 1930s by William Griffith Wilson alcoholics and Robert Holbrook Smith based on their own experiences and alcohol abuse recorded in the Book Alcoholics Anonymous and explained. The target groups were both alcoholics and physicians, therapists, and representatives of religious groups who wanted to help alcoholics.

Twelve - step groups, Anonymous groups or A groups are self-help groups that are based on the twelve-step program. Following the example of Alcoholics Anonymous also groups have been formed to other problems and adapted the program content accordingly. The Anonymous programs or A programs carry in their names the word " Anonymous " ( stakeholder groups ) or " Anon " ( family groups).

• 3.1 group
• 3.2 Intergroup
• 3.3 club
• 3.4 Common Service Committee

• 4.1 clinics
• 4.2 Self -help groups

• 5.1 monopolization
• 5.2 Forced participation
• 5.3 Religious nature

• 8.1 Internal
• 8.2 External

The Twelve Steps

Members in twelve-step groups is recommended to work through the Twelve Steps on a voluntary basis, a condition for participation in the meetings is not.

It follows an analogous modification of the text of the twelve-step program, as it is used in the twelve-step groups. The wording is often different for each class ( see, eg, AA, NA, OA or EA).

Twelve - step groups

Dissemination

The vast majority of twelve-step groups concerned with drug dependence. It will meet in over 180 countries, more than 100,000 Alcoholics Anonymous - groups, 61,000 - Narcotics Anonymous groups, 550 Nicotine Anonymous groups. In addition there are over 24,000 Al -Anon Family Groups for family members of alcoholics and 1,800 Alateen groups. The geographical distribution accumulates in the Country of origin USA.

In other topics, employ more than 1,200 EA groups, 500 CoDA groups and a number of smaller twelve-step programs worldwide.

Anonymous online addicts

A special feature of twelve-step groups is their inclusiveness. Basically, they are open to everyone, regardless of gender, age, nationality, language, creed or race. The only requirement for group membership is defined in the 3rd tradition of the group. There is no formal entry or exit criteria. User is who participates in the meetings and feels belonging.

Another feature of the Anonymous group is the anonymity principle. The participants remain anonymous to each other, they call only their first names. The identity is not checked, it will be done no membership lists or attendance records. In addition, also to preserve confidentiality of the contents and participants of the meeting in the external contact. Thus, individuals may speak at meetings openly about their problems without fear of later exposure positions in public. Also for the group itself, the anonymity is a protection. This protects them from damage to its reputation, especially when prominent members are striking.

Meetings / sessions / meetings

The groups are used to help themselves. Alcoholic help alcoholics, family members members. They meet regularly, usually weekly joint meetings, in groups, these meetings are called meetings. It is up to each participant to decide whether and how often he attended the meeting.

The meetings are organized exclusively by the person affected. A Chair (of English. Chairperson, Chairman) moderated. This service is staffed either by choice or by rotation principle and can be taken from each participant. Neither the Chair nor other services have a hierarchical special position.

There is no therapist -client relationship. However, many participants looking for an experienced sponsor. This should already be a long time, " dry", have a lot of experience with the program and in particular to be accessible in emergencies ( such as acute craving ).

At a closed meeting will only directly affected part. Open meetings involve also members. Some groups also organize public information meetings.

The groups determine the course of group meetings themselves The typical sequence contains the following elements: Introductions ( "My name is Bill, I 'm an alcoholic. " - " Hi, Bill! "); Reading of the preamble, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions; common talk of the serenity prayer. Often texts from the literature will be read. Depending on the group more elements are added.

The largest room at the meetings takes "sharing of experience, strength and hope " one. The participants talk about their experiences. You can talk freely about anything that moves. The other participants may be no feedback yet unasked advice. Some groups limit the speaking time and have more rules to ensure a constructive meeting process.