If you think you might have a problem with alcohol and or drugs then we may have the right resources for you.
12 Step programs have had the greatest success in helping those with chemical dependency and other addictive related issues over the past 85 years
12 Step Programs are centered on a few basic concepts. First the practice of working the 12 Steps which is a process of acknowledging powerlessness of an addiction problem and adopting a personal relationship with a higher power, of your own choosing. The culmination of these efforts leads to a lifestyle of service, helping others be freed of their bondage to addiction and find ways to improve life.
The second element to the success of 12 Step Programs are traditions adhered to by membership groups and individual members. These traditions are designed to protect the process from internal and external forces that could corrupt groups or the process. They discuss membership, group finances, and the importance of unity. The inventors and predecessors of the 12 Step movement discovered groups and its membership could not allow financial, or material interests to influence the process of helping the afflicted. The programs are totally self-supporting, and membership is free. Alcoholics Anonymous was the drafter of the 12 Step Steps and 12 Traditions that have been adopted by over 70 other programs including Narcotics Anonymous.
Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith, co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) recognized their solution to staying sober was helping others get and stay sober. This realization fueled the inception of Alcoholics Anonymous in 1935. The AA membership of 40 decided to write the book Alcoholics Anonymous, often referred to as “The Big Book”, which was published in 1939. Since the Big Book has been published AA has grown exponentially having over 125,000 groups in over 140 countries.
Very early in the western world was recognizing the success of AA. Hordes of people with a variety of mental illnesses had hoped to get help from AA. AA, committed to its primary purpose of helping those with alcoholism, freely shared its 12 steps and 12 traditions.
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) was formed in 1953. Jimmy Kinnon, founder of NA, had been attending AA meetings and was encouraged by others to form a fellowship for Drug addicts. There were many challenges in the early days just due to the social stigma of drug addiction and the use of illegal drugs. However, through persistence and the overwhelming need for solutions the fellowship began to grow. In 1983, NA produced the book “Narcotics Anonymous”, also referred to as the basic text. The NA fellowship has now grown to over 70,000 meetings weekly in over 120 countries.
There are several other anonymous 12 step programs i.e. Sex Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, ALANON (for spouses of Alcoholics, etc. to name a few. San Diego in Recovery can help you find a 12 Step resource.