Twelve-Step Programs

With his collaborator, Dr. Bob, Bill W. became the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) on June 10, 1935—the date when Dr. Bob took his last drink of alcohol and 6 months after Bill W. had taken his. In December of 1938—4 years after a dramatic conversion experience in which he committed himself to a Higher Power—Bill W. created the AA 12-step program of recovery, which became the blueprint for subsequent programs of addiction recovery. Wikipedia currently lists 43 12-step programs at least partially patterned after AA. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop the addictive behavior. Members incorporate spirituality as understood by the individual member through prayer and meditation, reading recovery literature, working with a sponsor (a more experienced, sober member) to complete the 12 steps, and attending meetings, where members share their experience, strength, and hope in their recovery from addiction. In addition to achieving sobriety one day at a time through surrender to a Higher Power, the primary purpose of 12-step programs is to carry their message to the addict who still suffers. The strengths and limitations of 12-step programs in the context of attachment theory are discussed. A case illustration is offered.