12 Step

A twelve-step program is a set of guiding principles outlining a course of action for recovery from , compulsion, or other behavioral problems. Originally proposed by Bill Wilson to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) as a method of recovery from alcoholism, the Twelve Steps were first published in the 1939 book Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered from Alcoholism. The method was adapted and became the foundation of other twelve-step programs.

As summarized by the American Psychological Association, the process involves the following:

Twelve-step groups have been criticized for embracing or promoting pseudoscience in their views and treatments, for failure to provide evidence of successes that can stand up to peer-reviewable scrutiny in the medical research community, and for insistence on tying religion to treatment. At least one twelve-step program, Alcoholics Anonymous, maintains that it is a spiritual program "not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution" including religion.

Twelve-step methods have been adapted to address a wide range of alcoholism, substance-abuse and dependency problems. Over 200 self-help organizations—often known as fellowships—with a worldwide membership of millions—now employ twelve-step principles for recovery. Narcotics Anonymous was formed by addicts who did not relate to the specifics of alcohol dependency.

Demographic preferences related to the addicts' drug of choice has led to the creation of Cocaine Anonymous, Crystal Meth Anonymous and Marijuana Anonymous. Behavioral issues such as compulsion for, and/or addiction to, gambling, crime, food, sex, hoarding, debting and work are addressed in fellowships such as Gamblers Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, Sexaholics Anonymous and Debtors Anonymous.

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