Twelve-step programs

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 involve 5 million people annually in a variety of addictions and psychological disorders. The programs have been criticized for being "non-medical", having "bad science" in their views and treatment, and for insistence on tying "blind faith" in "God" or “higher power” to treatment. The original twelve-step program, Alcoholics Anonymous with about 60,000 groups, maintains that it is a spiritual program "not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution" including religion. Peer reviewed studies of AA claim a five to 10 percent success rate for newcomers, while AA reports that 68 percent of members were sober for more than a year. In 1951 AA was given an award by the American Public Health Association without any scientific claim to prove it was successful.

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.

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