Therapeutic Value of the 12 Steps

Therapy steps Twelve Steps can help manage various types of chronic illness For more than 75 years, the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous have worked for many people with alcohol and other drug problems. Today, the therapeutic value of the steps extends far beyond the field of addiction. Physicians, therapists and other health care professionals are finding that the steps can help people with other chronic illnesses (eg, cancer, heart disease, diabetes and mental illness) find hope and healing. There is increased recognition that a spiritual component, such as the Twelve Steps, is important in addressing mental and physical illness. One of the first things people realize when they have a chronic illness is, “Oh my God. I’m going to die and I don’t have the ability to heal this myself.” In any sort of chronic illness, people must face the fact that there’s a large measure of their illness that is outside their control. They respond in a number of ways. They may deny the problem; they respond with shock, helplessness, depression, anxiety, grief, guilt, shame, anger, resentment, self-pity or defiance. They may delay seeking treatment or completely avoid seeking help, or they may become preoccupied with trying to control their fate. People with a chronic illness face the same basic challenges as those with addiction: accepting the reality of their disease; tapping into help, resources and a power greater than themselves; and maintaining hope as ...
Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com - Category: Addiction Authors: Tags: 12 Step Fellowships Alcoholics Anonymous cancer depression diabetes heart disease helplessness mental illness Physicians Source Type: blogs