The 12-step program has actually become rather popular these days amongst people with some addiction issues, and although initially it was produced by Alcoholics Anonymous for people with alcohol abuse as a progressive illness, the 12-step program in Portland, ME that we now understand is used more widely within different substance abuse recovery groups, Narcotics Anonymous or Cocaine Anonymous for individuals with illicit substance abuse problems, and others.
So if you have an interest in learning more about the 12-step programs in Portland, Maine and how they could be implemented in your own treatment programs, then you may wish to continue reading this post!
Portland 12-Step Program Company
As you might have guessed, the Portland, Maine 12-step program contains in itself 12 different spiritual principles and standards that should be utilized by different support groups to assist its members overcome their problems.
So here are these 12 actions created by Alcoholics Anonymous for its AA members to be used in Portland, ME, or any other place:
- Confess your weakness for alcohol;
- Discover a Power greater than yourself, and think that a Power like that might restore us to sanity;
- Turn your will over to God so that he can restore us and look after all these defects that we have;
- Make a personal inventory of yourself, discover the root of your issues, and admit it to yourself;
- Admit to God and other individuals the exact nature of your sins;
- Permit God to get rid of all these defects that you have today, and that interfere with your daily life in a negative way;
- Do not be afraid to request God’s help while you are going through this browsing and fearless moral inventory of yourself;
- Right down a list of all the people that you have harmed prior to;
- Ask forgiveness before anybody that you have actually harmed unless these direct amends and your presence in the lives of these individuals would harm them even more;
- Never stop your personal recovery process. Be ready to apologize whenever you understand that you are in the wrong, as it is the spiritual foundation of your healing;
- Usage prayers and meditation as a method to improve your conscious contact with God in whatever form that you envision Him;
When you are ready, move all of your understanding and experience to other people with substance abuse issues and, of course, continue to practice the concepts of 12-step programs throughout your life, as your personal recovery depends upon them.
Portland, ME 12-step Programs and Their Concepts
Aside from the 12 guidelines explained above, twelve-step programs likewise include 12 customs that are gotten in touch with the company of Alcoholics Anonymous groups in general and not with the procedure through which each of their individuals is going through.
And here are these 12 customs:
- You do not need more than a genuine desire to stop drinking in order to get an AA membership and attend meetings of your group;
- The main function of any AA group is to transfer the concepts of 12-step treatment programs to those who have a substance use issue;
- The whole group’s conscience and welfare are more important than that of any individual separately, as the group function of recovering from an health problem depends upon the AA unity;
- The one ultimate authority of all AA groups is God himself, in whatever form we picture Him. And hence, the leaders of any AA group are merely His servants;
- Each Alcoholics Anonymous need to be produced individually from all others;
- AA groups ought to constantly stay non-financial organizations so that nobody would get sidetracked from the main function of AA groups, which is to help those with substance abuse issues in their spiritual development;
- Aside from being no-financial, AA groups need to likewise remain self-support groups, meaning that any type of assistance from others should be rejected;
- AA groups are nonprofessional, which is why their leaders must not be associated with medicine or psychology. The only possible exception is to employ special workers from substance abuse treatment service centers;
- Aside from AA groups being completely self-supporting, they ought to also remain non-organized groups, however they could create service boards or committees directly responsible for the aid to be received by those they serve;
- Alcoholics Anonymous need to not have an viewpoint on any outside matter so that the name of the groups and their treatment programs would not be utilized in public confrontations. AA leaders ought to remember that the participants of their groups have a right to maintain personal anonymity;
- Public relations could be used only with the goal of attracting those in need and not for promoting the service centers and their functions;
- The helping hand of others is not the only requirement of AA groups; privacy is the second one. This concept reminds us that collectively-accepted guidelines must be more important than every individual’s desires, specifically when it concerns group cooperation.
12 Step Programs’ Interpretations in Portland, ME
As you can see, the to start with developed variation of the 12-step program is based on the spiritual awakening principles, but time has helped the program to develop and become less depending on God if that is what you want.
For a few of you who are not as much of followers in God, it would be good to understand that such spiritual focus is actually not the main characteristic that helps people to recover. Your own recovery depends more by yourself analysis of the 12 actions and on the social support of individuals who assist you in that procedure. Approval of some higher power greater than us does not necessarily mean that God is that power; it could likewise be our AA or any other group that could help us with all our affairs and troubles.
There are various 12-step programs in Portland, Maine nowadays, which is why you will have no trouble finding the ones in your regional neighborhood that fits your requirement the most, no matter whether it will be connected to belief in God or not.
Twelve Steps Advantages
As we already know, among the primary principles of 12-step programs is privacy, which is why it is rather difficult to gather data on its efficiency. But what we do know is that 74% of U.S.A. treatment centers are using 12 step programs as one of the treatment possibilities for its visitors. What is more, the participants of this problem were discovered to be alcohol abstinent for longer amount of times.
And as a few of the insurance policies can cover your expenses of going through a 12-step program in Portland, Maine, it would be easy to understand why 12 steps have actually become so popular in the last years.
Therefore, understanding that 12 actions programs are popular and widely accepted throughout the world, we can say for sure that this type of treatment is effective; we just do not know for whom. You can compare 12-step programs to treatment types: you can never know for sure whether a particular method is working for you unless you try it out, however you still understand that all of them could be effective.
Alternative Treatment Programs in Portland, Maine
It might be the case that 12-step programs are not effective in your case, which is why thinking about options is very essential.
So here is a list of some other kinds of drug addiction treatments that might be valuable:
Residential Programs
Such programs occur in rehab centers in Portland, Maine with professional health care companies, which is why they are considered to be among the most reliable ones. Residential programs help you to develop an environment where no substance use is allowed, which is why your healing might be much faster compared to other rehabilitation approaches.
The only downside is that such programs are typically not that cheap, which is why you may require to think about other choices. However if you do not mind taking part in government-based rehab programs, then you might cover the expenses with your insurance coverage.
Outpatient Rehab Programs
These programs are quite similar to property ones, however they allow you to continue living your life and bearing your responsibilities, as you will not need to stay at the center all day, simply in the mornings and nights.
However, because of such a format, you may need to invest a larger period of time in your rehabilitation center and work on your physical and mental health a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental concept of a 12-Step program in Portland, ME?
The main idea of the Portland 12 steps is that people can help one another in their journey of conquering drug abuse or any other issues. And although initially, God was the central character of self-help groups, His existence is not essential these days.
Where are the 12 steps in the AA Big Book?
The 12 actions can be found in the very beginning of the book “Alcoholics Anonymous,” in the chapter called “How it works.” But you might likewise read about them in the short article above and decide whether they would be useful to you.
Exists an AA 12-step workbook?
Yes, there is a workbook offered for 12 actions followers, and you can download it totally free. Such workbooks are generally very handy for new members, and the things that you make a note of in such a workbook could be gone over together with other AA members.
