This is a list of Twelve Steps alternate wordings of the Twelve Steps set of guiding principles for recovery from addictive, compulsive, or other behavioral problems that was originally developed by Alcoholics Anonymous.[1] The twelve-step method has been adapted widely by fellowships of people recovering from various addictions, compulsive behaviors, and mental health problems. Albert Lachance has even adapted it to dealing with "consumer additctions" such as shopping therapy.[2]
In some cases, where other twelve-step groups have adapted the AA steps as guiding principles, they have been altered to emphasize principles important to those particular fellowships, to remove gender-biased or specific religious language.[3][4][5]
Most of the alternate wordings are in Step 1 and Step 12:
Program | Step 1 | Step 12 | Reference |
---|---|---|---|
Alcoholics Anonymous | We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable. | Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. | [1] |
Al-Anon/Alateen | alcohol | others | [2] |
Adult Children of Alcoholics | the effects of alcoholism or other family dysfunction | others who still suffer | [3] |
Narcotics Anonymous | our addiction | addicts | [4] |
Nar-Anon | the addict | others | [5] |
Cocaine Anonymous | cocaine and all other mind-altering substances | addicts | [6] |
Co-Dependents Anonymous | others | other codependents | [7] |
Steps 3, 7, 11 - replace Him/His with God for gender neutrality | |||
Overeaters Anonymous | food | compulsive overeaters | [8] |
Debtors Anonymous | debt | compulsive debtors | [9] |
Crystal Meth Anonymous | crystal meth | crystal meth addicts | [10] |
Marijuana Anonymous | marijuana | marijuana addicts | [11] |
Pills Anonymous | pills and all other mind-altering substances | addicts | [12] |
Sexaholics Anonymous | Lust | Sexaholics | [13] |
Sexual Compulsives Anonymous | sexual compulsion | sexually compulsive people | [14] |
Gamblers Anonymous | gambling | compulsive gamblers | [15] |
Celebrate Recovery | to control my tendency to do the wrong thing | others | [16] |
Courage International | homosexuality | others | [17] |