The philosophy behind The Twelve Steps

I wanted to start a topic which discusses the philosophical validity of the well known 12 steps used in both secular and faith based recovery programs.Specifically, I want to discuss each step and whether the assertion of each step is an appropriate psychological frame of reference.Anyone who participates in this thread please limit your comments to the philosophy behind each of the twelve steps in relation to recovery from a given addictive process.I will be commenting from a Christian perspective since I am in Celebrate Recovery but I want this topic to remain focussed on the philosophy behind the twelve basic steps originated from Alcoholics Anonymous.The 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous 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, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.12.) Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.Faith/Belief, please

Is that a documented fact or is it your opinion?What do you feel to be the root cause of an addiction?

Note, however, that they say God as we understood Him. It might be quite possible that you understand God as humans define Him to be the Super Ego or perhaps an authority construct.
For you, if humans are their own power a higher power may simply mean a human with more insight than yourself or perhaps a group of humans who support one another. A support group.I expected that you would blame addictions on biochemistry! I suppose thats a lot more sane than blaming them on the devil!
I have been reading a book by a Christian Psychotherapist (Yes, there is such a thing...its no oxymoron!) Called ADDICTIONS: A Banquet in the Grave. The Authors name is Edward Welch and I will be quoting him from time to time in this topic. Before I do, however...I wanted to briefly share my perspective on the 12 steps and how they relate to humans IMB. It is only my opinion and belief, of course...and is evolving as I gain new insights.The 12 Steps 1.) We admitted we were powerless over (put addiction here)-that our lives had become unmanageable. addiction n 1 : the quality or state of being addicted 2 : compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal; also : persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be harmful ...in other words, alcohol is an addiction to some. Gambling is an addiction to some. Video games are an addiction to some. Pornography is an addiction to some. Food is an addiction to some. My first premise is that each of us know our addictions. The question? Will we face them?2.) Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.support group n : a group of people with common experiences and concerns who provide emotional and moral support for one another

​

For an atheist, the power greater than themselves may be no more than a group of people. There can be power in numbers! 3.) Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. This is where we disagree, Crashfrog. I suppose that you still have to surrender the idea that you can simply fix yourself, however. If you discern that you have a problem, seeking help is the equivalent of surrender.4.) Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
I don't see why introspection is ever a bad thing.5.) Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. If you don't believe that God exists, I would imagine that admitting to another human being would be enough.6.) Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. or were ready at this point to change. As for the rest of the steps, we can discuss them later. They are more controversial.Edited by Phat, : added features! Edited by Phat, : No reason given.Edited by Phat, : No reason given.

Welch believes that while we are powerless over the addiction itself..(otherwise it would not be an addiction) we are responsible for choosing the addiction.(on a day to day basis) We may be powerless over the effects of the addiction (biochemical stimulus and psycho-emotional patterns) we are not powerless in our choice of the addiction. Call it the No Man is an Island theory. Of course, some people get addicted to twelve step programs! Go figure! Edited by Phat, : No reason given.

We are drifting slightly off topic.I will agree with you, however, that AA or any other faith based program should not be court mandated without providing an alternative.I want to focus more on contrasting the faith based models of addiction and the secular alternatives.I also want to focus on several strategies that work for both.

The idea of and usefulness of a support group.

​

Being able to comprehend when a habit becomes an addiction and whether or not you need help.

​

The best type of counseling available. (Larni may offer insight into this one! )

​

Edited by Phat, : added features!

Addiction is addiction when a person is powerless to stop it. I suppose that a Nicotine addict is not powerless in the sense that they could quit smoking...but who really wants to?Addiction is not caused when a person feels powerless, but the bottom line is that many addictions are caused when a person consciously chooses to be addicted. Well, the whole reason for even going to such a program is the idea that you have a problem. Until you face that fact, you may as well not even be there. If the addict has admitted that they are, in fact addicted...and they cannot fix themselves then a support group is a viable next step. If you can stop drinking, gambling, playing video games, or spending five hours a day on the computer by yourself then more power to you! Maybe we can start an EvC addiction support group! (Oh wait, we would have to meet here which would then mean we were feeding our addiction which would then mean....oh never mind!) It is an individual choice to attend a support group, to begin with. True helplessness is if you were forced to attend such a group. Well..from a Christian view, I would say that it is your own fault for not listening to God. The alcohol is an idol. Smash it and move on! (or whatever the hangup you have is.) In a nutshell, Berberry, the Christian view that I have seen involves an acknowledgment that an addiction, by definition, is itself a substitute for dealing with reality and for most Christians, communion with others is reality as it should be and not yet another addiction. Some could argue that organized religion is an addiction also, I suppose. I wonder if it would be possible to construct a 12 step model for atheists. Any ideas?Edited by Phat, : No reason given.

From a Christian perspective, the powerless thing as you call it really connects and relates to this scripture: In other words, the person would be powerless in the sense that they had chosen an addiction as an escape from reality, thinking of it not as an idol but as something that they could control. Of course the concept of idolatry sounds rather primitive to our enlightened way of thinking. We can discuss the Christian belief system in regards to this if you want. As Crashfrog puts it, woo.

Keep in mind that I am speaking from a Christian World View in the context of this discussion. While the 12 step model does not address the issue of personal responsibility, which I see as one of its flaws, many Christian counselors do address personal responsibility as a necessary admission in order for the addictions to get resolved.

​

Its not all so simple as an Altar Call, however. Any conservative Christian or Roman Catholic in a confession booth for that matter can say Forgive me, Father...I messed up! I went and gambled (or drank) yesterday! I'm truly sorry for having a free will and I now recommit and resubmit myself to Obedience!

​

Its not as simple as that nor need it be such a controlling realization.

​

Lets examine the philosophy of the sin model of addictive behavior for a moment.

​

First, in the World View of many Christians, sin is the concept of an offense against God.

Strongs Concordance writes:

​

OT:2403

​

chatta'ah (khat-taw-aw'); or chatta'th (khat-tawth'); from OT:2398; an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender:

​

KJV - punishment (of sin), purifying (-fication for sin), sin (-ner, offering).

​

Edward Welch has some insight within a Christian perspective.

​

Unlike many fundamentalists, he actually went to school and learned many of the secular theories of addictive behavior as well. I will be quoting some ideas from his book, so when you see the quote, attribute it to Welch.

​

NIV writes:

​

John 8:33-34-- They answered him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?"
Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.

​

Welch writes:

​

(We must) realize that addiction, like all sin, doesn't impose itself on us unless we have been willing to entertain the seeds of it in our imaginations.

​

Nator, you may argue of course that the Christian solution simply replaces one addiction with another. (Addiction to religion).

​

Welch actually embraces the disease model along with the sin model. as Crash pointed out, some addictions have physical withdrawl and are literally biologically enslaving.

​

One thing that we can perhaps agree on is that an addict has to want to change before they can change.

Of course, as a Christian, I would be in favor of one step: Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.For me, God is a necessary part of the process. For others, the process seems to work better without God.IMHO, the only other power greater than an individual...aside from God, is a group.

Edward Welch talks about cravings in his book. He says that there are different types of cravings and that they can occur at different times. Example:
1) while abstaining and sober
2 after taking the first drink and then wanting more
3) when physically dependant on the substance.Welch elaborates: Of course, Welch approaches the issue from a spiritual perspective as well as acknowleging biological realities. He once was a Heroin Addict himself.

For a Christian, a sin is merely the acknowledgment that we have momentarily lost our focus and our passion. Anastasia, when you as a Catholic go to confession, what is it that you are actually doing? More about this topic can be found here. When you say to the Priest, forgive me, Father for I have sinned ...what you are really doing is reaffirming your desire for communion with God. You basically are declaring that you have willfully or unknowingly separated yourself from Communion in the mind and heart and have set your attention on other things.While this is human nature, it also is the reason why religion and spirituality provide a way out for many people. Celebrate Recovery is the Christian version of the Twelve Steps developed by Pastor Rick Warren.Confession would center around Step 5.Twelve Steps
and
Their Biblical Comparisons
1. We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable.
I know that nothing good lives in me,
that is, in my sinful nature.
For I have the desire to do what is good,
but I cannot carry it out.
Romans 7:182. We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
For it is God who works in you to will
and to act according to his good purpose.
Philippians 2:133. We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers,
in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies
as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God
- this is your spiritual act of worship.
Romans 12:14. We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Let us examine our ways and test them,
and let us return to the Lord.
Lamentations 3:405. We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
Therefore confess your sins to each other
and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
James 5:166. We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
Humble yourselves before the Lord,
and he will lift you up.
James 4:107. We humbly asked Him to remove all our shortcomings.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful
and will forgive us our sins
and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:98. We made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Luke 6:319. We made direct amends to such people whenever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar
and there remember that your brother has something against you,
leave your gift there in front of the altar.
First go and be reconciled to your brother;
then come and offer your gift.
Matthew 5:23-2410. We continue to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
So, if you think you are standing firm,
be careful that you don't fall!
1 Corinthians 10:1211. We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us, and power to carry that out.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
Colossians 3:1612. Having had a spiritual experience as the result of these steps, we try to carry this message to others and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin,
you who are spiritual should restore them gently.
But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
Galatians 6:1By the way...at this point in time, I am working on Step4. We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. and I can honestly say that introspection can be a good thing if it is structured. Many people marinate on their past like some endless loop tape in their minds.What I have discovered is that I actually had suppressed many of the emotions and events that were in my past.Once I examine them and honestly confess them to my counselor, forgiving those who have harmed me and also acknowledging my part of it all, I can forget about the past and move forward. Stay tuned! Edited by Phat, : added features!

Whether you are a Christian or not, Step 4 is a crucial part of any recovery process.You examine your life, going as far back as you can remember. There will be certain places and events and people that were significant in that stage of your life.

Journaling is helpful at this point.

​

1) Who is the person/place/event that affected me either positively or negatively?

​

2) What specific action did this event/person/place cause that hurt/helped me?

​

3) What effect did this person/event have on my life? (Positive or Negative?)

​

Finally, what was my responsibility? What part did I play in the interaction?

​

The challenge is to take responsibility. Addictions and people are not excuses for our behavior in the present moment.

​

It is helpful to learn how to turn anxieties about your past into definable and concrete issues so that the results can be viewed in a new light. Only then is change possible---once awareness has been achieved.

Let me attempt to break the steps down into a secular, non-God approach and see what we have left....(I invented this one entirely off the top of my head...so it can be subject to change and review . Step by Step Support Group/Accountability Process: Copyright by Phat
1. We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors. We came to believe that Counseling and/or a Support Group would provide wisdom higher than our own.
Talk it out with others.2. We made a decision to commit ourselves to the group until we had worked through each step and until we had journaled and completed our inventories.
Face your fears and hangups....seek to understand them. Wisdom comes through others who have traveled the same road.
3. We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Face your fears. Talk about your past. Come to terms with where you have been, who you are, and where you plan on going.
4. We admitted to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.5. We were entirely ready to allow change in our minds and hearts and through introspection, honesty, and discipline remove all these defects of character.6. We made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.7. We made direct amends to such people whenever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.8. We continue to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.So what do you think of my secularized step program? How would you improve it? What did I leave out? Edited by Phat, : spelling

Tell me more. Have you ever gone through it or know anyone who has?In response to Ringo, the steps are important because there is usually a definite sequence to learning about oneself and being empowered to change. If it was all as easy as self realization, people would be fixing their own problems.

Its important to enlist the help of others. A Support Group works for some people if they commit to it and honestly answer the questions and consider the answers. For other people, a counselor works better than a group.I dont really like my 8 Steps. I think God is a necessary component of my recovery process, but I couldnt at this point tell you why except to suggest that I am now willfully becoming addicted to religion.

Thats why Step 10 is so important. We continue to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it. The process is lifelong, but the meetings and the 12 steps need not be.For me, at least----the 12 steps brought me out of a wormhole of past feelings/present behavior and gave me a new set of references between how I used to deal with things versus how I now choose to deal with things.Wilhelm Reich advocated psychophysical psychology whereupon he believed that past emotions were frozen in character armor. The point is that some feelings can be repressed...even physically....and self realization will never uncover subconscious repression.The 12 step group is but one possible solution for dealing with the past, in that a support group offers...well...support. As for the character armor, there are psychotherapists who specialize in treating such stuff. Alexander Lowen was one such practitioner.