The 12-step program was founded in Akron, Ohio, in 1935 by Dr. Bob Smith (known as Dr. Bob) and Bill Wilson (known as Bill W.). It is based on the 12 steps and 12 traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous. It is an anonymous (using first names only) self-help program based on the goal of attaining sobriety from alcoholism.
The 12 steps are:
- 1.
We admitted we were powerless over alcohol, that our lives had become unmanageable.
- 2.
Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
- 3.
Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
- 4.
Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
- 5.
Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
- 6.
Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
- 7.
Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
- 8.
Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
- 9....
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Amlen, J. (2020). Twelve Steps. In: Leeming, D.A. (eds) Encyclopedia of Psychology and Religion. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-24348-7_716
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