Article by Tony Tracy

So what exactly is the Christian 12 step treatment program for struggling alcoholics?

In this article we will provide an in-depth look into the Christian 12 steps to sobriety.

Christian 12 step programs are incredibly effective in helping to conquer substance abuse or addictive behaviours.

The intention of the 12 step Christian program is to offer an alcoholic aid and insight in regards to recovery. The Christian 12 step program is written from a theological point of view and not about any specific psychological theory. Here you will find ageless truths discovered only in God’s Word from a detailed study into the Holy Bible.

In short, the Christian 12 step recovery treatment absolutely works and is very effective in its treatments. Throughout the course of time there has not been a more exceptional method to sincerely help an addict recover from their painful past, substance addictions and alcohol dependency other than the Christian 12 step recovery program.

Origin of the Traditional Twelve-Step Program for Alcoholics

The traditional 12 step program was originally established by the organization known as Alcoholics Anonymous. A little know fact is that this program, created by this organization, actually founded through the research and studies of an Episcopalian priest by the name of Reverend Samuel Moor Shoemaker Jr. and a Lutheran pastor by the name of Dr. Frank N.D. Buchman. Both of these men created the twelve-step alcoholic program from inspiration through the Holy Scriptures. Therefore, the 12-step treatment program is actually based on Christian biblical doctrines.

The Christian 12 Step Alcoholics Anonymous program is based from important factors such as:

A) Casual home meetings which are designed to focus on the enjoyment of spiritual fellowship.

B) The belief that individuals, such as existing Christian believers, would still stay in their own church gatherings and that by turning to the Alcoholics Anonymous program for support in living a sober and moral life as opposed to just gaining theological doctrines and teachings.

C) To concentrate on continually realizing a change in their lifestyle by going through various stages of transformation which is an attitude that presents sobriety as something positive rather than just the absence of alcohol addiction.

D) The guidelines that Alcoholic Anonymous employees, including the original founders and managers, should never receive monetary compensation.

E) A focus and goal on helping addicts for the sole purpose of changing their life by turning it around.

The Original Six Steps of the Christian Recovery Program

In the year 1937 Wilson, one of the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous, sat down and wrote a book which included the original 6 steps of a successful Christian recovery program. This book was built on the experiences of not only himself but also what other Alcoholics Anonymous members had learned and experienced during their time in the program.

The Original 6 Steps Were:

Step 1: We admitted that we were licked, that we were powerless over alcohol.

Step 2: We made an inventory of our defects or sins.

Step 3: We confessed or shared our shortcomings with another person in confidence.

Step 4: We made restitution to all those we had harmed by our drinking.

Step 5: We tried to help other alcoholics, with no thought of reward in money or prestige.

Step 6: We prayed to whatever god (As a follower of Christ we seek the One True God) we thought there was for power to practice these precepts.

The Current Christian 12 Steps Are:

Step 1) I admit that I am powerless over the effects of my separation or lack of fellowship with God, and that my life has become unmanageable.

Step 2) I believe that the power of Jesus Christ, through the working of the Holy Spirit, will restore me to fellowship with God.

Step 3) I will make a decision to turn my will and my life over to the care of God.

Step 4) I will take a searching and fearless moral inventory of myself.

Step 5) I will admit to God, to myself, and to another human being, the exact nature of my wrongs.

Step 6) I will become entirely ready to have God remove all of my sins…

Step 7) I will humbly ask Him to remove them.

Step 8) I will make a list of all persons I have harmed, and become willing to make amends to them all.

Step 9) I will make direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

Step 10) I will continue to take a daily personal inventory, and when I am wrong, I will try to promptly admit it.

Step 11) I will seek through prayer and meditation to improve my conscious contact with God, praying only for the knowledge of His will for me and the power to carry it out.

Step 12) Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, I will try to carry this message to others and I will try to practice these principles in all of my affairs.

References from the Holy Bible that the Christian 12 Steps Were Drawn From:

Reference for Step 1) “I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” (Romans 7:18)

Reference for Step 2) “… my grace is sufficient for you, for my POWER is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

“..for it God Who works in you to will and act according to His good purpose… “(Phil. 2:13)

Reference for Step 3) “… If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)

Reference for Step 4) “Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” (Lamentations 3:40)

Reference for Step 5) “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” (James 5:16)

Reference for Step 6) “If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land.” (Isaiah 1:19)

Reference for Step 7) “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:10)

Reference for Step 8) “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23, 24)

Reference for Step 9) Give and it shall be given you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38)

Reference for Step 10) “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith GOD has given you.” (Romans 12:3)

Reference for Step 11) “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…” (Col. 3:16)

Reference for Step 12) “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:1-2)

When an alcoholic addict doesn’t complete these Christian 12 steps towards recovery, particularly step 1, step 5 and step 8, they more often than not fall back into their alcohol dependency. This is why it is so crucial that all of the steps in the Christian 12 step treatment are followed as they have been proven work only if an individual decides to work them.

An individual who does not have want to be helped in the matter of a Christian 12 step treatment program cannot be forced to do so. One has to develop a conscious awareness to the truth where in order for them to progress anywhere in their alcohol recovery, in addition to one’s own growth in life as a Christian believer, they have to surrender their entire being and will to God. The majority of Christians may not yet have reached this type of commitment but it is essential that they eventually do to be able to see any progress in their road to recovery through the Christian 12 steps. If they are not at this stage of commitment they are not in a helpless enough stage yet. In other words, they are not yet ready to give up and turn away from their own human efforts to resolve their problems. They have not fully comprehended their need or the plan that God has for them and therefore are not ready to admit that they are not able to make it on their own will power.

An important note to consider for the faithful is that the Lord Jesus usually works within the framework of what one will allow, so when we put up stumbling blocks or barriers for Him, even though He could easily get through them, He chooses to do nothing for those who do not want His help. Now the real question lies in yourself, do you truly want to be healed?

About the Author

Visit Christian Alcohol Rehabilitation for more information.