Benefits of 12-Step Addiction Recovery Programs

Addiction recovery 12-step programs have many benefits and are widely popular. However, 12-step programs also attract a lot of criticism, and there are other addiction programs available for those who find fault with 12-Step programs. For me, the benefits of 12-step addiction programs far outweigh any drawbacks.

Three 12-Step Addiction Recovery Program Benefits

The benefit of one alcoholic helping another is without parallel, as a paraphrase from early 12-step literature goes. I have found more benefit from sponsorship and speaking to others at 12-step meetings about the crazy places my mind goes than from speaking to experts who have not struggled with addiction. Scientists, doctors, experts, and researchers all play a vital role in helping improve recovery outcomes for addicts and alcoholics, and there is a place for all of them (Is A.A. the Only Way to Recover From Alcoholism?). But there is, in my opinion, also a powerful place for the hand and heart of someone else who has been where you've been.

12-Step Programs Allow Connection

For me, one of the most important benefits of 12-step programs is that I can go into a meeting and share that with over nine years sober I sometimes act more selfish and immature than when I first stumbled in. I can hear women with twenty-five years clean and sober say they still experience cravings. People can and do find support and strength for everything from coming out as LGBT to marriage problems to burying a child, with the help of someone else who has walked through it (The Theory of Support Groups).

They Foster Honesty and Open-Mindedness

I have never experienced anywhere else the honesty and open-mindedness of the kind I do at 12-step meetings. In addiction recovery, people are dealing with tremendous amounts of shame, stigma, and self-stigma. The tenets of 12-step programs stress the importance of honesty and accepting all people who have a desire to quit drinking or using. That of course does not mean that you cannot have a bad experience with members of 12-step groups or that you will feel welcome at all meetings.

A common phrase you hear after awhile is, "this is not well-people's anonymous." The sentiment behind this statement is that there are still sick, dishonest, mean and selfish people in 12-step programs. Just like there are in school, in church, at work, on the bus, and everywhere else in life. But most of the people in 12-step programs are at least trying to do something to improve their lives and to be of service in the world.

They Provide Action Plans for Difficulty

Another benefit of 12-step programs is that they provide a plan of action for many situations. They truly do provide you with tools for handling stressful situations, coping with emotions, getting sober when your husband, wife, or partner is not--and all other sorts of situations you can face as a recovering addict.

These programs are not cults or organized churches, so they fundamentally have no rules and no positions on issues of politics. But they provide options and ideas where before any little thing could and did send me to the liquor store. But the literature and the members provided me with resources, outlets and impulse control strategies when I was first trying to get sober, and these have remained invaluable over the years.

Efficacy and the Benefits of 12-Step Addiction Recovery Programs

I do not know whether 12-step programs are more or less effective than support groups that focus on cognitive behavioral therapy, such as SMART Recovery, or reward enhancement therapy. It is notoriously difficult to find accurate comparison numbers, in part because the anonymous part of 12-step programs don't allow for accurate information collection. I do believe, however, that being involved with some group or addiction recovery program is better than going it alone, not only because it may increase your chances of staying sober, but also because it improves one's quality of life.

No program is perfect, and neither are its members. But for those who truly give 12-step programs a chance, I believe many will find them a positive experience and some, such as myself, will find them life-saving.

You can find Kira Lesley on Google+, Facebook and Twitter.