Thinking about 12-Step Recovery? - Recovery Wisdom by Eric V.
Treatment works and we have been doing it for 25 years in Newport Beach, CA. Long term recovery post treatment is best aided with participation in a 12-step program like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. In this entry our staff member Eric V discusses some of what he's learned.
Thinking about 12-step recovery?
Let’s keep it simple, the only things that are required of you for a successful recovery are:
- honesty
- open-mindedness
- willingness
This is h.o.w. It works.
You do not need to believe or have faith that this process will work. Page 47 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous states “for we assumed we could not make use of spiritual principles unless we accepted many things on faith which seemed difficult to believe. A mere suspicion that it might work is all that is required."
Faith and belief are after products of a decision followed by action.
Lets take an example - lets say you are new in town and your car has broken down and you need a mechanic. So, you come to me and ask if i know of one. I tell you of my mechanic Bob, so you make a “decision” to take your car to Bob. 
Then you take the “action “ and take your car to Bob. He does you a good job and charges you a fair price. The next time you have car trouble you know where to go and you believe you will get quality service (faith and belief).
Steps 1and 2 of the 12-step program are admissions of truth based on our experience; Step 3 is a decision . Steps 4 through 11 are action steps. Step 12 is the result of our actions therefore resulting in faith and belief.
Keep it simple,
Eric V, CADCII, CCJP
Eric V is a integral part of the staff at Sober Living by the Sea - world renowned treatment center for men and women.
