The Complete 12-Step Programs List: Every Type of Twelve-Step Group for Recovery

How Many 12-Step Programs Are There?

Twelve-step programs have expanded far beyond their origins with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). The very first 12-step fellowship, AA, was founded in 1935 in Akron, Ohio, by two alcoholics seeking a spiritual solution to alcoholism. From that humble start, the 12-Step model – a set of guiding principles for recovery – has been adapted widely to help people overcome addiction, compulsion, trauma, and related behavioral problems.

Today, there are dozens of different 12-step groups addressing various issues. In fact, sources estimate at least 30+ distinct 12-step fellowships exist (one rehab resource counts 33 core programs), and if you include newer and niche offshoots the number approaches 50 or more. In other words, whatever someone may be struggling with – alcohol or drug dependency, gambling or overeating, even relationship and emotional struggles – there is likely a 12-step support group modeled on AA’s principles that can help.

In this comprehensive guide, we provide a full 12-step programs list broken down by category. You’ll find the names of all the major twelve-step programs in each area of recovery, from substance use disorders to behavioral addictions to family and emotional support groups. We’ll briefly describe each fellowship’s focus (and include official website links where available) so you can understand the different 12 step programs out there. Whether you’re curious how many 12-step programs are there or looking for the right 12-step group for yourself or a loved one, this article will serve as a useful resource.

(Note: Programs described as “Anonymous” are peer-led self-help groups – i.e. self-help groups where members support each other in achieving sobriety, personal growth, and healthier lives. All share similar principles to the original Alcoholics Anonymous Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions but each focuses on a specific issue or relationship.)

12-Step Programs for Substance Use & Addiction

Twelve-step groups began with helping alcohol addiction, and today there is a 12-step group for practically every form of substance use disorder. These fellowships provide peer support for people struggling with alcohol addiction, prescription pill addiction, or any substance use disorders, helping members achieve sobriety and maintain abstinence one day at a time. Key 12-step groups for substance abuse include:

• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) – The original 12-step fellowship, founded in 1935. AA’s program helps people stop drinking and recover from alcoholism through mutual support, a spiritual approach, and working the Twelve Steps. Website: aa.org (Alcoholics Anonymous World Services).
• Narcotics Anonymous (NA) – Founded 1953, NA is a fellowship for drug addiction in all forms. It welcomes anyone with a desire to stop using drugs (heroin, pills, stimulants, etc.), and its primary purpose is to help addicts achieve sobriety from narcotics and other mind-altering substances. Website: na.org.
• Cocaine Anonymous (CA) – A 12-step group specifically for those addicted to cocaine and other stimulants. Like AA/NA, members of CA share experiences and follow the Steps to break the cycle of cocaine abuse. Website: ca.org (Cocaine Anonymous World Services).
• Heroin Anonymous (HA) – Fellowship for people recovering from heroin addiction (and closely related opioids). HA provides a safe community to support maintaining abstinence from heroin and offers hope for those seeking freedom from opiates. Website: heroinanonymous.org.
• Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA) – Focuses on recovery from crystal methamphetamine addiction. CMA meetings help meth addicts find peer support and a “higher power” to overcome the obsession with meth. Website: crystalmeth.org.
• Pills Anonymous (PA) – A fellowship for recovery from prescription pill addiction (painkillers, tranquilizers, etc.). PA adapts AA’s steps for those dependent on prescription medications. Website: pillsanonymous.org.
• Marijuana Anonymous (MA) – A 12-step group for people addicted to marijuana (cannabis). MA helps members who struggle to quit habitual marijuana use, using the same step-by-step recovery process to attain freedom from pot. Website: marijuana-anonymous.org.
• Nicotine Anonymous (NicA) – A program for those who desire to stop smoking and break nicotine addiction (cigarettes, vaping, chewing tobacco). NicA applies the Twelve Steps to nicotine, supporting members in living nicotine-free. Website: nicotine-anonymous.org.
• Other emerging groups: Methadone Anonymous and Ibogaine Anonymous are examples of niche 12-step groups that have formed to support people in medication-assisted or psychedelic-assisted recovery. These are newer fellowships (first formed in the 1990s–2000s) that modify the AA approach for those using methadone maintenance or ibogaine therapy as part of their recovery. While not as widespread, they show how the twelve steps continue to be adapted as new recovery paths develop.

12-Step Programs for Compulsive and Destructive Behaviors

Beyond substance use, the 12-step model is also used to treat behavioral addictions and compulsive behaviors – sometimes called “process addictions.” These include gambling, sex, relationships, money, work, and technology. Such behaviors can be just as destructive as drugs or alcohol, and twelve step groups offer support for people seeking freedom from these harmful habits. Key fellowships in this category include:

• Gamblers Anonymous (GA) – A 12-step fellowship for compulsive gambling. GA helps those who have a gambling addiction (casino betting, sports betting, etc.) stop gambling and recover financially and emotionally. Members share their experience and work the steps to overcome the compulsion to gamble. Website: gamblersanonymous.org.
• Sexaholics Anonymous (SA) – One of the earliest 12-step groups for sexual addiction, founded in 1979. SA defines sexual sobriety in a specific, conservative way (abstinence outside marriage, etc.) and helps those who feel powerless over lust or compulsive sexual behaviors. Website: sa.org.
• Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA) – A fellowship for people who want to stop addictive sexual behaviors (such as compulsive porn use, anonymous sex, etc.). SAA provides a supportive, non-judgmental environment to achieve sexual sobriety and addresses sexual compulsion in all forms. Website: saa-recovery.org.
• Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA) – Focuses on those who struggle with love addiction, romantic obsession, toxic relationship patterns, or sexual compulsion. SLAA members seek to break free from destructive relationships or fantasy addiction and learn to develop healthy intimacy. Website: slaafws.org (Sex & Love Addicts Anonymous Fellowship-Wide Services).
• Love Addicts Anonymous (LAA) – Another fellowship addressing unhealthy or dysfunctional relationships and dependency on romance. LAA helps people who become addicted to the euphoric “high” of new love or who stay in destructive relationships due to that addiction. Website: loveaddictsanonymous.org.
• Workaholics Anonymous (WA) – A 12-step group for compulsive over-workers. WA is for people whose addiction to work (long hours, inability to detach from work, work avoidance through excessive busy-ness) is harming their lives. The program helps members find balance and recovery from work addiction. Website: workaholics-anonymous.org.
• Debtors Anonymous (DA) – DA is a fellowship for those who suffer from compulsive debting, overspending, or chronic underearning. Members support each other in stopping incurring unsecured debt, repairing their finances, and practicing solvency one day at a time. Website: debtorsanonymous.org.
• Clutterers Anonymous (CLA) – A 12-step group for cluttering and hoarding behaviors. CLA helps people who compulsively accumulate clutter or have difficulty letting go of possessions. By working the steps, members seek to clear their clutter and address the emotional roots of hoarding. Website: clutterersanonymous.org.
• Underearners Anonymous (UA) – A fellowship for people who struggle with earning less than their potential or have self-sabotaging behaviors around finances and achievement. UA adapts the 12 steps to help members overcome fear of success, procrastination, and other patterns that lead to under-earning. Website: underearnersanonymous.org.
• Internet and Technology Addicts Anonymous (ITAA) – A relatively new 12-step program (founded in 2017) for those addicted to the internet, smartphones, social media, video streaming, or other digital technology. ITAA meetings provide support to break compulsive internet use and regain balance in life. Website: internetaddictsanonymous.org.
• Online Gamers Anonymous (OLGA) – A specialized 12-step group for video game addiction. OLGA helps people whose excessive gaming has become addictive and problematic (impacting work, school, or relationships). The fellowship offers a program of abstaining from abusive gaming and finding healthier coping mechanisms. Website: olganon.org.

Additional note: There are also support groups for the family members of people with these behavioral addictions (similar to Al-Anon for families of alcoholics). For example, COSA (Codependents of Sex Addicts) is a 12-step fellowship for those whose loved ones are sex addicts. We will cover family support 12-step groups in a later section, but it’s worth noting here that many process addictions have a counterpart “Anon” group for spouses or relatives (e.g. Gam-Anon for families of gamblers, S-Anon for families of sexaholics, etc.).

12-Step Support for Food-Related Struggles

Food and body-related addictions have their own 12-step programs as well. Eating behaviors can be addictive or compulsive in nature – whether it’s overeating, bingeing and purging, or obsession with dieting – and several fellowships exist to help people recover a healthy relationship with food. These groups adapt the steps to address food cravings, body image, and emotional eating issues:

• Overeaters Anonymous (OA) – Founded in 1960, OA is a broad fellowship for people with compulsive eating behaviors of any type. Members may struggle with overeating, binge eating, food obsession, or other eating behaviors. OA does not focus on any particular diet, but rather on working the Twelve Steps to attain abstinence from compulsive eating and find physical, emotional, and spiritual recovery. Website: oa.org.
• Food Addicts Anonymous (FAA) – A 12-step program (founded 1987) for those who identify as food addicts, often characterized by addiction to sugar, flour, and junk foods. FAA members follow a specific food plan (avoiding addictive foods) along with the Steps to achieve freedom from the obsession with food. Website: faacanhelp.org.
• Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (FA) – A separate fellowship (established in the 1990s) that also addresses food addiction. FA grew out of OA and emphasizes abstinence from addictive foods and volume eating. Like other groups, it uses sponsorship, meetings, and the Twelve Steps as tools to aid recovery and personal growth. Website: foodaddicts.org.
• Eating Disorders Anonymous (EDA) – A 12-step group for those recovering from any eating disorder, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, or others. EDA’s approach is to develop balance and self-efficacy in healing from disordered eating, rather than imposing strict food rules. It encourages working the steps to address underlying emotions while also seeking any necessary professional help. Website: eatingdisordersanonymous.org.
• Anorexics and Bulimics Anonymous (ABA) – A fellowship specifically focusing on anorexia and bulimia recovery. ABA adapts the AA steps for people whose compulsion is not alcohol but self-starvation or the binge/purge cycle. The program promotes abstinence not from food, but from the addictive behaviors of the eating disorder (e.g. restricting, purging) and helps members develop healthier coping and body image. Website: aba12steps.org.

(Note: OA tends to be the most inclusive group for any food-related issue, but some people gravitate to FAA or FA if they want a more structured food plan approach, or to EDA if they prefer a very flexible, self-defined approach. Regardless of the specific fellowship, these groups all provide peer support and a spiritual framework to overcome the hold of food and body-image issues.)

12-Step Programs for Emotional and Mental Wellness

Not all twelve-step groups are about substance or behavior addictions. Some address the emotional, mental, or trauma-based issues that can underlie addiction or cause distress on their own. These fellowships apply the 12 steps to personal healing from things like anxiety, depression, abuse trauma, or family dysfunction. By sharing in meetings and working the steps, members find gradual relief from emotional pain and develop tools for spiritual growth and healthier living. Key programs include:

• Emotions Anonymous (EA) – A 12-step support group for those struggling with mental and emotional illness (such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, etc.). EA was founded in 1971 (inspired by an earlier group called Neurotics Anonymous) to give people a place to work on emotional recovery similar to how AA works on alcoholism. The program teaches that participants are not alone or “crazy” in their feelings, and by taking a searching and fearless moral inventory of their emotional lives and practicing the principles, they can find peace and balance. Website: emotionsanonymous.org.
• Neurotics Anonymous (N/A) – Also known in some countries as “Neurotics Anonymous 12-Step Recovery” or “Nervous Anonymous,” this was an earlier incarnation of what became Emotions Anonymous. It originated in the 1960s as a group for anyone with a mental or emotional disorder who wanted a structured recovery program. In modern contexts, the principles live on mainly through Emotions Anonymous (as the name “Neurotics” is outdated), but in some places (such as Spanish-speaking communities) Neurotics Anonymous meetings still exist under names like Neuróticos Anónimos. The focus is the same: working the Steps to improve mental health and sanity.
• Survivors of Incest Anonymous (SIA) – A 12-step fellowship for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse, incest, or molestation. SIA provides a safe, anonymous group where survivors of childhood sexual abuse can share their experiences and heal from trauma. The program adapts the steps to help reduce shame, build resilience, end isolation, and seek a “power greater than ourselves” to restore hope and sanity. Website: siawso.org (Survivors of Incest Anonymous World Service Office).
• Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA or ACoA) – This fellowship is for men and women who grew up in an alcoholic or otherwise dysfunctional home. Many people raised in such families suffer long-lasting effects – trauma, trust issues, people-pleasing, anger, etc. – often termed “adult child syndrome.” ACA meetings help adult children recognize how their upbringing affected them and to “reparent” themselves with gentleness and love. The program’s steps and Twelve Traditions are based on AA, but ACA also uses additional tools like the “Laundry List” (traits of adult children) and focuses on building functional and healthy relationships in place of the dysfunctional patterns learned in childhood. Website: adultchildren.org.
• Racists Anonymous (RA) – An unconventional but noteworthy adaptation of the 12-step model, RA is a program that treats personal racism or prejudice as an addictive/compulsive behavior. Founded around 2015, Racists Anonymous meetings invite individuals to admit powerlessness over racist thinking and work the steps to remove these defects of character. It’s a very niche group (often church-sponsored) and not widespread, but it illustrates the “searching moral inventory” principle applied to bigotry and attitudes.
• Schizophrenics Anonymous (SA) – Another specialized group (founded in 1985) which uses a modified 6-step approach for people managing schizophrenia or related mental illnesses. While not following all classic twelve steps, it was inspired by them and provides peer support to stay on treatment plans and reduce isolation. (This program is smaller and more akin to a support group, but is sometimes mentioned alongside 12-step programs for mental health).

Through these emotional-health fellowships, individuals come together to heal from deep-seated mental and emotional illness or trauma. The focus is not on abstaining from a substance, but on finding serenity and sanity. Attending meetings regularly, sharing honestly, working the steps (like making a list of character defects, making amends where appropriate, cultivating a relationship with a Higher Power, etc.) all help such people experience relief from their pain and achieve personal recovery and growth over time.

12-Step Groups for Family Members of Addicts

Addiction is often called a “family disease” because it deeply affects not just the addicted person but also their loved ones. Family members and friends can develop their own unhealthy behaviors in response – enabling, codependency, resentment, fear, etc. – and they too need support. Self-help groups for families use the 12-step model to help relatives find sanity, whether or not the alcoholic/addict in their life is in recovery. These groups teach members to focus on their own recovery from the effects of a loved one’s addiction, to detach with love, and to develop functional relationships instead of enabling or controlling. Major fellowships for families include:

• Al-Anon Family Groups (Al-Anon) – The best-known 12-step support group for relatives and friends of alcoholics. Founded in 1951, Al-Anon runs parallel to AA (often meetings happen at the same time/place as AA). In Al-Anon, wives, husbands, children, parents, and friends of people with alcohol addiction gather to share their experiences. The program helps members stop living in constant worry or attempts to fix the alcoholic, and instead find peace and spiritual growth for themselves. (Alateen is a subset of Al-Anon for teenage children of alcoholics.) Website: al-anon.org.
• Nar-Anon Family Groups (Nar-Anon) – A fellowship for those affected by a loved one’s drug addiction. Just as Al-Anon is for families of alcoholics, Nar-Anon is for families of narcotics users (heroin, pills, etc.). Members work the 12 steps to cope with the insanity of drug addiction in the family and to support each other in maintaining hope and boundaries. Website: nar-anon.org.
• Families Anonymous (FA) – A 12-step group for relatives of people with any kind of addiction – drugs, alcohol, or behavioral addictions. Founded in 1971, Families Anonymous welcomes parents, spouses, siblings, or friends of those with substance use or related behavioral problems. Meetings focus on learning to detach from the addict’s problems, to cease enabling, and to reclaim one’s own life. Website: familiesanonymous.org.
• Co-Anon – A program originally for the friends and family of cocaine addicts (sometimes called “Cocaine Anonymous for loved ones”). Modeled on Al-Anon, Co-Anon members share the challenges of dealing with a cocaine addict in the family. Today some Co-Anon groups have broadened to include any drug addiction (overlapping somewhat with Nar-Anon), while others remain focused on stimulant/cocaine addiction specifically. Website: co-anon.org.
• Codependents Anonymous (CoDA) – While not tied to one specific addiction, CoDA is a 12-step fellowship for people who struggle with codependency in relationships. Codependency often develops in those who have an addicted or dysfunctional family member – one loses oneself by excessively focusing on helping or controlling others. CoDA provides tools to break these patterns. Members learn to set boundaries, build self-esteem, and “end patterns of dysfunctional relationships and develop functional and healthy relationships”. The only requirement for CoDA membership is a desire for healthy and loving relationships. (Many Al-Anon or Nar-Anon members also attend CoDA to work on their relationship patterns more deeply.) Website: coda.org.
• Adult Children of Alcoholics & Dysfunctional Families (ACA) – As mentioned earlier, ACA is for those who grew up in an alcoholic or otherwise dysfunctional home. We list it again here because ACA groups often function as both trauma-recovery and family-support groups. ACA members meet to support each other in reprocessing childhood pain and freeing themselves from the negative “laundry list” traits (fear of authority figures, people-pleasing, difficulty having fun, etc.) that often plague adult children. By working the steps, attending meetings, and sharing with other members who understand, adult children learn to reparent themselves and build healthier adult lives. (ACA’s inclusion of all forms of family dysfunction means it also welcomes adult children of addicts, not just alcoholics.) Website: adultchildren.org.
• Others: In addition to the above, there are a few other family-focused 12-step fellowships. S-Anon (sometimes called COSA, as noted earlier) is for spouses/partners of sex addicts, following principles similar to Al-Anon but addressing issues like betrayal trauma and boundary-setting in the context of sexual addiction. Gam-Anon is for families of compulsive gamblers, helping them recover from the financial and emotional havoc caused by gambling addiction. There are also parent-specific groups (such as Parents of Addicted Loved Ones, though not strictly 12-step based) and support networks for families of people with mental illness (like Nar-Anon for mental health under NAMI, etc.). The core message is that loved ones need recovery too, and these twelve step groups for family and friends provide a proven path to find hope and healing regardless of the addict’s situation.

Spiritually-Inspired 12-Step Programs

The standard 12-step groups (AA, NA, etc.) describe themselves as “spiritual, not religious.” They welcome people of any faith or no faith, with each member understanding God or a “Higher Power” in their own way. However, some individuals prefer a more explicitly faith-centered approach. In response, various churches and religious organizations have created programs that incorporate the 12 steps alongside specific religious teachings. These can be seen as Christian or other faith-based adaptations of AA’s method. Notable examples include:

• Celebrate Recovery (CR) – A Christian 12-step program started in 1991 at Saddleback Church in California. Celebrate Recovery uses the same basic structure of weekly meetings and the 12 steps, but each step is paired with Biblical verses. The program is Christ-centered, emphasizing that Jesus Christ is the Higher Power. CR is designed to help with “hurts, hang-ups, and habits” of all kinds (substances, sexual sin, anger, codependency, etc.), within a church community setting. It has spread to thousands of churches worldwide. Website: celebraterecovery.com.
• Catholic in Recovery (CIR) – A newer ministry (founded in the 2010s) that integrates Catholic faith practices with 12-step recovery. CIR meetings often include prayer, reading of Scripture or Saint writings alongside 12-step literature, and discussion of how Catholic sacraments (like Confession or Holy Communion) can enrich one’s recovery journey. The program welcomes those recovering from addictions or other programs (like Al-Anon, etc.) who want to share openly in a Catholic context. Website: catholicinrecovery.com.
• LDS Addiction Recovery Program – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) offers an official Addiction Recovery Program (ARP) that is built on the 12 steps, modified slightly to align with LDS scripture. Meetings are often held at local churches and incorporate prayer and discussion of both the Book of Mormon and AA literature. This approach allows LDS members to seek recovery while feeling support for their religious values. (Website: search “LDS Addiction Recovery Program” on churchofjesuschrist.org ).
• Messianic Jewish 12-Step Groups – In some Messianic Jewish congregations (Jews who believe in Jesus/Yeshua as Messiah), there are recovery groups that adapt the 12 steps using Hebrew Scripture and Messianic faith perspectives. For example, one Messianic recovery workbook reframes the steps with references to the Tanakh and New Testament. These groups function much like Celebrate Recovery but tailored to Messianic Jewish culture and often called something like “Twelve Steps for believers in Yeshua.” (They may not have a unified national organization, but they exemplify how flexible the 12-step framework is across faith lines.)
• Other Spiritual Adaptations: There are even niche groups like Pagans in Recovery, which is a network for Neopagans/Wiccans in 12-step recovery who incorporate their earth-based spirituality. In summary, almost every religious community – Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, etc. – has found ways to embrace the twelve steps as a tool for healing, either by endorsing standard AA/NA meetings or by creating parallel programs that add their own spiritual emphasis. The twelve traditions of AA encourage autonomy (each group can have its own customs), which has made it possible for these faith-infused versions to emerge while still honoring the core 12-step principles.

Similar Programs That Aren’t Officially Twelve-Step

For completeness, it’s worth noting that not all addiction support groups follow the 12-step model. In recent decades, several alternative recovery programs have gained popularity. These programs typically do not use the Twelve Steps or refer to a Higher Power; instead, they might use cognitive-behavioral techniques, secular philosophy, or other methods. While outside the scope of “twelve step programs” per se, they are often mentioned in the same context as alternatives for those who prefer a different approach. A few prominent examples:

• SMART Recovery – Stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training. SMART is not a twelve-step group; it’s a science-based, self-empowering program for overcoming addiction. Meetings teach tools from cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational methods to help individuals build self-efficacy and cope with urges. There are no sponsors, no steps, and no focus on spirituality – participants learn to manage their own recovery through SMART’s 4-Point Program (building motivation, coping with urges, managing thoughts/behaviors, and living a balanced life). This can be a good option for those who aren’t comfortable with the spiritual or surrender aspects of AA. Website: smartrecovery.org.
• LifeRing Secular Recovery – LifeRing is a network of secular recovery groups where the focus is on peer support and practical feedback rather than any set steps. Their philosophy is summarized as “Empower Your Sober Self” – meaning each person has an inner strength (“sober self”) that they build up in meetings to overpower the “addict self.” LifeRing meetings are discussion-based and encourage forward-looking solutions. There is no prayer or mention of God, aligning with those who want a self-help groups approach without spirituality. Website: lifering.org.
• Refuge Recovery / Recovery Dharma – These are Buddhist-inspired paths to recovery. Refuge Recovery was founded by Noah Levine as a program using the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path of Buddhism as the framework (instead of 12 steps). Meetings involve meditation and sharing; the idea is to cultivate mindfulness and compassion to overcome the suffering of addiction. After some organizational changes, many Refuge Recovery meetings have transitioned to a peer-led format called Recovery Dharma, but the essence remains a peer support community using Buddhist principles rather than theistic or step-based ones. Website: refugerecovery.org and recoverydharma.org.
• Women for Sobriety (WFS) – A non-profit mutual help group specifically for women overcoming alcoholism and other addictions. Founded in 1975 by Jean Kirkpatrick, WFS is not 12-step; instead, it’s built on 13 affirmations (positive statements) that encourage emotional and spiritual growth. Meetings focus on topics like building self-esteem, eliminating guilt, and learning a new lifestyle. WFS addresses needs that women in addiction may have (such as empowerment in a society that often marginalizes women’s voices). Many women attend WFS in addition to or instead of AA, finding the female-centric, personal growth oriented approach more suited to them. Website: womenforsobriety.org.

Other alternatives include Moderation Management (for those aiming to moderate drinking rather than abstain), Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS), Celebrate Hope (Christian but not step-based), etc. Each of these programs differs from the twelve-step philosophy in significant ways. Still, the traditional 12-step groups like AA and its offshoots remain by far the most widespread recovery support network in the worldclearbrook.banyantreatmentcenter.com. It’s valuable for individuals seeking help to know that alternatives exist (because one size does not fit all), but also to understand why the 12-step approach has endured and helped so many.

What Makes 12-Step Programs So Widely Used?

After covering this extensive list of 12-step programs, you might wonder: why are the twelve-step groups so popular and enduring? There are several reasons. One is the fundamental design of the program – it addresses not just the outward behavior (drinking, using, gambling, etc.) but the underlying human condition. The Twelve Steps guide members through a profound process of change: admitting powerlessness and unmanageability, finding hope in a power greater than themselves to restore them to sanity, and making a decision to turn their will over to that Higher Power. Then comes the famous “searching and fearless moral inventory” (Step 4) where individuals honestly examine their resentments, fears, and character defects.

By promptly admitting when they’re wrong and cleaning house internally, they begin to shed the burdens of guilt and anger that may have fueled their addiction. Steps 6 and 7 involve humbly asking God to remove all these defects of character, which fosters humility and willingness to change. In Steps 8 and 9, making direct amends to people they have harmed helps to repair relationships and relieve shame. Steps 10, 11, and 12 encourage continuing growth: taking personal inventory regularly (and when wrong, promptly admitting it), seeking to improve one’s conscious contact with God (through prayer or meditation), and carrying the message to others once a spiritual awakening has been achieved. This journey through the steps often leads to deep personal transformation – a new sense of freedom, self-respect, and purpose.

Equally important is the peer support model. In meetings, members find a fellowship of others who have “been there” and genuinely understand their struggles. The shared empathy and support break the isolation and stigma of addiction or trauma. By attending meetings regularly and getting involved (often with a sponsor to mentor them), individuals build a sober network and a sense of belonging. The Twelve Traditions of these groups create a safe, principled environment: anonymity, unity, focusing only on the primary purpose of helping others recover, and not engaging in outside controversy. This keeps meetings welcoming and focused. There are no fees or bureaucracy – just a group of people freely helping each other, which makes it accessible to anyone, anywhere.

Moreover, 12-step programs encourage a shift from self-centered fear to trust in something greater (whether that’s God, the group itself, or just the process). This spiritual component – finding a Higher Power of one’s own understanding – is a source of strength and hope for many. It teaches surrender of ego and acceptance, which are crucial in overcoming addiction. At the same time, the program promotes personal responsibility: members must take action (working the steps, making amends, changing behaviors) as part of their recovery process. This combination of personal growth and spiritual growth, supported by a caring fellowship, is powerful.

Finally, the sheer availability of 12-step meetings has made them a cornerstone of recovery worldwide. With over 100,000 groups globally (when counting AA and all its offshoots), anyone can likely find a meeting in their area or online. The program’s success stories – millions who have achieved sobriety or sanity – continue to attract newcomers looking for help. While 12-step programs don’t work for absolutely everyone (and it’s wonderful that alternatives exist for such people), they have proven effective for a vast number of individuals across cultures and decades.

The primary purpose of all these groups is to carry the message to those who still suffer, and that altruistic mission keeps them going strong. Whatever your struggle – be it alcohol, drugs, food, gambling, trauma, or a loved one’s addiction – there is probably a Twelve Step support group for it. In reaching out, you might just find, as so many have, a new way of life filled with hope, freedom, and purpose in recovery.

Adam Vibe Gunton

Adam Vibe Gunton is an American author, speaker and thought leader in addiction treatment and recovery. After overcoming homelessness and drug addiction, Adam found his life’s purpose in helping addicts find the same freedom he found. As Founder and Executive Director of the 501(c)3 nonprofit, Recovered On Purpose, and Managing Partner of Behavioral Health Partners, Adam has helped thousands find freedom from addiction all over the world.