For Anyone New Coming to a 12-Step Program
or
Anyone Referring People to a 12-Step Program
This information is both for people who may have an addiction or codependency problem and for those in contact with people who have, or are suspected of having, a problem. Most of the information is available in more detail in literature published by each 12-Step Program's World Services Office, for example, Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. This item tells what to expect from Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-Step programs. It describes what 12-Step programs are, what they do, and what they do not do.
You may see the LINKS page on this website for links to a number of 12-Step programs including: Alcoholics Anonymous; Al-Anon for friends or family members of an alcoholic; Sex Addicts Anonymous, Co-Sex Addicts Anonymous for partners of sex addicts; Codependents Anonymous; Debtors Anonymous; Gamblers Anonymous; Narcotics Anonymous; Nar-Anon Family Group for friends or family members of a substance abuser-addict; Nicotine [Smokers] Anonymous; and Overeaters Anonymous.
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What Is a 12-Step Program?
12-Step Programs are international fellowships of men and women who have one or more addiction problems. They are nonprofessional, self-supporting, multiracial, apolitical, and available almost everywhere. There are no age or education requirements. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about his or her addiction problem.
Singleness of Purpose of A.A. and Problems Other Than Alcohol
Some professionals refer to alcoholism and drug addiction as “substance abuse” or “chemical dependency.” Non-alcoholics are, therefore, sometimes introduced to A.A. and encouraged to attend A.A. meetings. Anyone may attend open A.A. meetings, but only those with a drinking problem may attend closed A.A. meetings.
A renowned psychiatrist, who served as a nonalcoholic trustee of the A.A. General Service Board, made the following statement: “Singleness of purpose is essential to the effective treatment of alcoholism. The reason for such exaggerated focus is to overcome denial. The denial associated with alcoholism is cunning, baffling, and powerful and affects the patient, helper, and the community. Unless alcoholism is kept relentlessly in the foreground, other issues will usurp everybody’s attention.”
What Does a 12-Step Program Do?
Members share their experience with anyone seeking help with an addiction problem; they give person-to-person service or "sponsorship" to the addict coming to their program from any source.
The 12-Step program, set forth in the Twelve Steps, offers the addict-codependent a way to develop a satisfying life without addiction.
This program is discussed at 12-Step group meetings.
Open speaker meetings — open to anyone. (Attendance at an open 12-Step meeting is the best way to learn what 12-Step programs are, what they do, and what they do not do.) At speaker meetings, members “tell their stories.” They describe their experiences with addiction, how they came to the 12-Step program, and how their lives have changed as a result.
Open discussion meetings—one member speaks briefly about his or her addiction use experience, and then leads a discussion on 12-Step recovery or any addiction-related problem anyone brings up. (Closed meetings are for members with that particular group's specific addiction or anyone who may have that particular addiction problem.)
Closed discussion meetings—conducted just as open discussions are, but are for members or prospective members only.
Step meetings (usually closed) — discussion of one of the 12 Steps.
Members also take meetings into correctional and treatment facilities.
Members may be asked to conduct informational meetings about A.A. as a part of A.S.A.P. (Alcohol Safety Action Project) and D.W.I. (Driving While Intoxicated) programs. These meetings about A.A. are not regular A.A. group meetings.
What 12-Step Programs Do Not Do —
1. Furnish initial motivation for addicts to recover
2. Solicit members
3. Engage in or sponsor research
4. Keep attendance records or case histories
5. Join “councils” of social agencies
6. Follow up or try to control its members
7. Make medical or psychological diagnoses or prognoses
8. Provide drying-out or nursing services, hospitalization, drugs, or any medical or psychiatric treatment
9. Offer religious services
10. Engage in education about alcohol
11. Provide housing, food, clothing, jobs, money, or any other welfare or social services
12. Provide domestic or vocational counseling
13. Accept any money for its services, or any contributions from non-A.A. sources
14. Provide letters of reference to parole boards, lawyers, court officials, social agencies, employers, etc.
Members from Court Programs and Treatment Facilities
In recent years, 12-Step groups have welcomed many new members from court programs and treatment facilities. Some have come to the meetings voluntarily; others, under a degree of pressure. An A.A. pamphlet, “How A.A. Members Cooperate,” states the following:
We cannot discriminate against any prospective A.A. member, even if he or she comes to us under pressure from a court, an employer, or any other agency.
Although the strength of our program lies in the voluntary nature of membership in A.A., many of us first attended meetings because we were forced to, either by someone else or by inner discomfort. But continual exposure to A.A. educated us to the true nature of the illness.... Who made the referral to A.A. is not what A.A. is interested in. It is the problem drinker who is our concern.... We cannot predict who will recover, nor have we the authority to decide how recovery should be sought by any other alcoholic.
Proof of Attendance at Meetings
Sometimes, courts ask for proof of attendance at A.A. meetings. Some groups, with the consent of the prospective member, have the A.A. group secretary sign or initial a slip that has been furnished by the court together with a self-addressed court envelope. The referred person supplies identification and mails the slip back to the court as proof of attendance.
Other groups cooperate in different ways. There is no set procedure. The nature and extent of any group’s involvement in this process is entirely up to the individual group. This proof of attendance at meetings is not part of A.A.’s procedure. Each group is autonomous and has the right to choose whether or not to sign court slips. In some areas the attendees report on themselves, at the request of the referring agency, and thus alleviate breaking A.A. members’ anonymity.
Literature
A.A. Conference-approved literature is available in French and Spanish. For a literature catalog please write or call the General Service Office.
The A.A. Grapevine, a monthly international journal—also known as “our meeting in print”—features many interesting stories about recovery from alcoholism written primarily by members of A.A. It is a useful introduction and ongoing link to A.A.’s diverse fellowship and wealth of recovery experience. The Spanish-language magazine La Via, is published bimonthly.
For Grapevine information or to order a subscription to either the AA Grapevine or La Via: (212) 870-3404; Fax (212) 870-3301; Internet Website: www.aagrapevine.org.
Groups other than A.A. will have their own individualized literature. The local group is a good resource to learn how and where to obtain their literature.
CONCLUSION
The primary purpose of every 12-Step group is to carry its message of recovery to the addict-codependent seeking help. Almost every addiction/codependency treatment tries to help the addict-codependent maintain sobriety and abstinence. Regardless of the road followed, all are headed for the same destination, recovery of the addicted person. Together, addict-codependents can do what none could accomplish alone. 12-Step groups and their individual members can serve as a source of personal experience and be an ongoing support system for recovering addict-codependents.