Twelve step program

The term twelve step program refers to a popular approach to treating alcoholism and other addictions. The twelve step program was originally, and perhaps most famously, used by Alcoholics Anonymous. However many organisations associated with addictive behaviour now use a twelve step program.


A twelve step program is basically a form of self help. The central theme of any twelve step program is the recognition of one´s powerlessness over addiction and also to recognise that there is a higher power that can have a protective and nurturing effect. It is important to note that in a twelve step program, this higher power is not necessarily a religious one.


A twelve step program aims to guide an addicted person and help them beat their addiction in supported stages. The first stage of a twelve step program is admitting powerlessness. You may recognise this aspect of a twelve step program from the famous Alcoholics Anonymous scene of a person standing up and saying ´my name is x and I´m an alcoholic.´


Other stages of a twelve step program include making a choice to change one´s life and acknowledging the wrong that has been done to others through addiction. A successful twelve step program should culminate in learning to live life in a new addiction-free way, and hopefully helping others suffering from addiction.

The twelve step program approach

A twelve step program differs from some other formal addiction treatment programs in its approach and focus. Rather than focusing on the negative consequences of addiction from a social, medical and physical point of view, a twelve step program will focus on the underlying spiritual or personal crisis which may be leading to addictive behaviour.


The twelve step program has been adapted as a treatment program for many types of addiction. The twelve step program is still a popular, and many believe highly effective, form of treatment for alcohol addiction, but also for drug addiction, addiction to specific drugs, sex addiction, gambling addiction and even, most recently, email and computer addiction

The effectiveness of twelve step programs

It has been difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of the twelve step program so far, because of the lack of data and limited studies. However, evidence suggests that for some taking part in a twelve step program has been the only form of addiction treatment that has had a lasting effect. In one study of over 8000 patients attending some form addiction treatment program in the USA, those who were also attending the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) twelve step program at one-year follow-up were 50% more likely to be abstinent from alcohol than those who were not attending AA (Hoffman & Miller, 1992).


The success of a twelve step program for any individual will depend on their view of the spiritual focus of the approach. The idea that a twelve step program will have a religious bent puts many off in the early stages, despite the fact that the requirement is a belief in a higher power, rather than a God, and atheists are welcome at groups.  

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