12-Step Archives - Enlightened Solutions

Reasons Behind the Success of 12-Step Recovery Groups

Written by enlightened solutions on January 30, 2023. Posted in Sober Living.

One of the most widely recognized treatment methods for substance abuse recovery is the 12-Step model. It’s likely one of the first treatment methods mentioned by addiction specialists, beyond the more immediate medical help. With a long history of practice within the United States and beyond, 12-Step programs help thousands of people every year make meaningful connections in their community and overcome the effects of addiction.

At Enlightened Solutions, we take an open-minded approach to the 12-Step model while still holding to the philosophy’s central purpose: Namely, that the issue of addiction can become too much for one person to tackle on their own. With any treatment method provided at our facility, clients will learn about the 12-Step model and philosophy.

What the Twelve Steps Accomplish in Recovery

The Twelve Steps serve as guidelines for understanding the reasons behind addiction and understanding the limited power to control it on your own. The Twelve Steps encourage asking for help and relying on a community in order to get well. They also encourage reliance on a higher power that is not specific to any particular religion, which is the type of spirituality that Enlightened Recovery promotes.

Twelve Steps Teachings

Just what do these highly successful Twelve Steps teach, exactly? Let’s examine the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous:

#1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable.

This is one of the hardest steps to admit, either silently or out loud. However, if addiction were within our control, we wouldn’t be present at treatment in the first place.

#2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

In addition to requiring community in order to get sober, this step goes further and suggests that a higher power is needed in addition to other humans.

#3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

Part of getting well means recognizing human limitations and putting our trust in that higher power.

#4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

Self-awareness is another vital part of recovery. This can be taught in a group setting as well as individually with a counselor guiding the process of reflection.

#5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs

In order to repair and rebuild our relationship with ourselves and with others, we must acknowledge the ways we caused harm, directly or indirectly.

#6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

We can let go of the pressure to overcome our struggles on our own and let a higher power guide us.

#7. Humbly ask Him to remove our shortcomings

To be human is to be valued, but also flawed. Belief in a higher power enables us to become the best possible version of ourselves – our sober, recovered selves.

#8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.

As we come to terms with the extent of addiction, we begin to understand that our actions have consequences. We can’t control whether others forgive us, but we can take the necessary steps to salvage the relationships that we can.

#9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when doing so would injure them or others.

With this step, it’s important to acknowledge that not every relationship can be restored. In some situations, it may be best not to initiate contact with certain people from our past. The therapy setting can help us figure out when that may be necessary.

#10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

Regularly “checking in” with ourselves helps us remain accountable and faithful to the goals we make in recovery.

#11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

Living with addiction can make us feel aimless and lost. As we move forward in recovery, we develop a stronger purpose in life.

#12. 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.

This final step is an invitation to go out and live in recovery, sharing the lessons you learned with others.

What Makes 12-Step Programs So Successful

While the 12-Step model may not be ideal for everyone, it nonetheless enjoys a high success rate among people struggling with addiction. Part of this success is owed to the no-holds-barred approach to “inconvenient truths” – that people cannot conquer addiction on their own, and that they must do some work to improve their lives. These are not popular messages, but when shared in a therapeutic setting, they become helpful “game changers” that motivate rather than tear down.

People struggling with addiction do not need to be chastised for the choices that brought them to treatment in the first place; they do enough of that on their own. But recognizing their limitations is the first stage toward making steps in the right direction. The 12-Step model prioritizes community, abstinence, acceptance, and a commitment to self-improvement. The steps are organized in bite-sized pieces so that this improvement does not feel terribly overwhelming, and are completed with a like-minded group to encourage and support along the way.

Admitting you need help is one of the hardest parts of addiction recovery. But with the right support and encouragement, it can only get better from there. Enlightened Solutions offers holistic treatment methods, including 12-Step programs, to help people overcome the effects of substance abuse and go on to live full, healthy lives. We have had the privilege of helping many people do just that, and you can be one of them. If you’re struggling with substance abuse addiction, it’s okay to admit you can’t do it on your own. Call Enlightened Solutions today at (833) 801-LIVE and speak with a member of our staff to learn which treatment method is right for you.

Why Substance Abuse Increases in Colder Months and How a 12-Step Program Can Help

Written by enlightened solutions on December 22, 2022. Posted in Substance Abuse.

What’s the connection between colder weather and substance abuse? Unfortunately, the latter tends to increase when the former happens. That’s not to say that cold weather causes substance abuse. However, there is an uptick in depression during the shorter, darker, winter days. Because many instances of substance abuse are triggered by depression, the correlation between winter and substance use is legitimate.

For this reason, it is important to become familiar with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and learn new ways that you can best cope with it.

How Cold Weather Influences Substance Abuse

Colder weather, falling leaves, and snowfall can signify the excitement of the holiday season for some. For others, it’s a seasonal change that puts a damper on many activities. You may be forced to stay home when the roads are too slick to drive on safely. There may not be much to do inside a small space, and you’re disconnected from friends and loved ones. Sometimes people are driven to drink or do drugs due to boredom. Others turn to these substances as an escape when feeling lonely or isolated.

The cold weather and shorter, darker days, combined with increased drug use, create an adverse biological effect. Depending on the type of substances used, breathing can become labored and difficult. It’s already harder to breathe when the air is cold, and more challenging for the body to regulate its temperature normally. Combined with drug use, such as opioids, which are known to cause breathing issues, this further increases the possibility of a dangerous overdose.

If people live alone, the chances of not being able to get help in time also increase. This isn’t the fault of winter necessarily, but it’s safe to say that more people go out partying, bar hopping, or doing drugs and drinking with friends when the weather is more favorable. Under those circumstances, medical help is more easily found. With less sunlight and shorter days, many people experience a vitamin D deficiency (the vitamin found in natural sunlight). This deficiency can worsen or cause depression, which also plays a role in substance abuse.

Using the 12-Step Model During Winter and Beyond

The 12-Step model is not a medical treatment but a framework to help people understand their experience of addiction and create better habits in place of using substances. The model can be followed any time of year but can be especially helpful during the winter season.

The Twelve Steps involve:

Helping people recognize and admit to having a problem with addiction
Surrendering control over the addiction, acknowledging that a higher power is needed to overcome it
Developing an awareness of the problematic behaviors that are either part of, or caused by addiction, and learning a healthy sense of restraint
Creating and embracing opportunities to practice that restraint and develop a healthier self-image
Developing healthy self-acceptance to change certain behaviors
Compassion for people who have been affected by and still struggle with addiction (including ourselves)
Cultivating tools to practice all of the above throughout daily life

These steps have a long track record of success in helping people conquer substance abuse addiction and achieve sobriety.

12-Step Programs Help Promote Sobriety Year-Round

All of the information above may sound bleak. However, the winter season doesn’t have to be depressing when you’re prepared in advance for the challenges it presents. One way to equip yourself with healthy coping mechanisms for worsened depression symptoms is to participate in a 12-Step program.

The basis for national recovery programs, like Alcoholics Anonymous, 12-Step programs break down recovery steps into small, manageable bites. The goal is to help people who struggle with substance abuse overcome their addictions, as well as the compulsions that drive those addictions.

The 12-Step model is intended to be worked out in a community, such as the people who regularly attend weekly recovery meetings. Spirituality is an essential component of the 12-Step process, but it doesn’t have to be a religious-oriented spirituality if you don’t want it to be. The 12-Step liturgy emphasizes an ecumenical “higher power” that is not specific to any one religion.

Ultimately, the 12-Step model works best when people are committed to helping others in addition to helping themselves. Those who have moved further down the list of the Twelve Steps can be a source of encouragement to those who are starting it for the first time. Different people will also have unique ways of implementing each of the steps, which are written somewhat vaguely on purpose so they can be adapted in unique ways. Through these steps and regular communal support, many people find that their mental health improves, leading them to flourish in other aspects of life. This is one of the most sustainable ways to contribute to long-term recovery.

How Enlightened Solutions Can Help

Our holistic, “whole-person” approach to substance abuse treatment aims to promote physical as well as mental, emotional, and spiritual health. The 12-Step model is just one of the ways we do this with our clients, helping them to identify any destructive thought or behavior patterns, improve life management, and learn healthy coping skills. Together, these qualities help to promote not only sobriety but also an improved understanding of the self. This allows our clients to discover renewed spiritual understanding, purpose, and fulfillment to improve their lives.

Conquering substance abuse is hard at any time of year, but winter presents some unique challenges to certain people. The days are shorter and darker; the cold can make even the happiest people miserable. Bad weather can keep us isolated and separated from friends. All of these factors can contribute to the possibility of relapse or overdose. But you can prepare in advance for this challenging season by participating in 12-Step programs. At Enlightened Solutions, we strive to help people cultivate healthy coping mechanisms for life’s challenges and become healthy not just physically but also mentally and spiritually. If you struggle with substance abuse and are concerned about your sobriety this winter, call us today at (833) 801-LIVE.

Reinforcing the 12-Step Process Through Yoga

Written by enlightened solutions on August 5, 2022. Posted in Mental Health.

When was the last time you practiced yoga? Maybe you had a great practice just yesterday, or maybe you have always wanted to try it but feel a little intimidated. The great news is that yoga can be adapted to all abilities and experience levels. When used as part of the treatment process for substance use disorder (SUD), yoga can help promote healing and can reinforce the 12-Step process.

Yoga is something that has been used for centuries and provides many benefits. These include advantages to your mental health, physical health, and spiritual health. Yoga began in India over 5,000 years ago and is still used today because of its many benefits. With time, the practice has evolved, and several forms have developed with varying levels of difficulty and intensity.

You can find the practice in many different settings. These days, yoga studios can often be found in city centers and suburbs. Yoga instruction can take place in educational settings such as schools and universities. You can also find yoga classes being taught in more clinical spaces, such as rehab facilities like Enlightened Solutions, and as part of therapeutic programs.

Yoga was created to connect the body and mind with the understanding that without this connection, one cannot be fully well. The idea was always to encourage awareness and mindfulness of the present. This was believed to create a higher sense of consciousness.

Today, yoga continues to serve these purposes and many others. The body-mind connection continues to serve as the primary intention and, if achieved, can impact many other areas of function and well-being.

Benefits of Yoga

Yoga is beneficial to the body in many ways. Yoga is an effective yet gentle form of exercise. This makes it ideal for anyone just beginning their fitness journey or recovering from an injury. It can also be adapted to challenge more experienced athletes. Yoga promotes better strength and flexibility, improving general wellness and overall quality of life.

Practicing yoga has various advantages when it comes to mental health and processing as well. Because yoga encourages a mind and body connection, practicing can help with understanding and accepting different thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Better sleep, focus, and increased patience/calmness are also often experienced.

Yoga and the 12-Step Process

Let’s briefly discuss the 12-Step process. This process for recovery was created by founding members of Alcoholics Anonymous and is a widely used method among treatment programs and facilities worldwide. Each of the Twelve Steps involves a different gradual focus toward seeking sobriety and entering recovery. While each step is different, they all incorporate change and strength mentally, physically, and spiritually.

So, how can yoga help with understanding and reinforcing the 12-Step process? This is done by associating each of the Twelve Steps with specific yoga poses. You are making a mind and body connection that allows you to understand and process each specific step fully. Many people learn best by “doing.” This is because you are forming a mind and body correlation to whatever the task may be. This reinforces the information and new strategies you are learning and helps store them in your memory.

Both yoga and the 12-Step process involve mental and physical strength. Each requires awareness of self and the surrounding world. Yoga 12SR classes encourage you to push beyond your limits physically, just as therapy and the 12-Step process encourage pushing beyond your limits mentally. Essentially, you are connecting the cognitive efforts outside of the studio with your physical efforts in the studio.

Yoga and Addiction Recovery

Addiction can often leave those impacted feeling isolated or disconnected. You may feel lost or unsure of who you have become. Yoga helps re-integrate the mind, body, and spirit and can promote healing from the inside out. Because addiction impacts physical, mental, and physical health, this can be very helpful.

Yoga promotes mindfulness, which is crucial during addiction treatment and recovery. It can be difficult to process the changes you experience mentally, physically, and spiritually throughout the process. It can be easy to get distracted or consumed with focusing on past mistakes or feelings of shame and guilt. Yoga serves as an outlet for understanding, expressing, and healing.

Yoga teaches you to check in with yourself and make a habit of doing so regularly. Much like the Twelve Steps taught throughout treatment at Enlightened Solutions, yoga is and should be a long-term practice. Whether you enter the program as an experienced yogi or have never tried it before, you will leave with a better understanding of yourself and how to use the practice to enhance your treatment and recovery experience.

Yoga integrates the mind, body, and spirit. This connection is essential for long-term success in recovery, and for overall well-being in life in general. Building a good yoga practice can help you remain connected to yourself and mindful. Creating correlations between the 12-Step process and yoga can help reinforce the principles. At Enlightened Solutions, we incorporate yoga as part of our program for many reasons. Our instructors will help you develop a practice that works well for you and promotes internal and external healing. We incorporate the 12-Step process into our yoga practice to allow for a connection between the cognitive work you are doing in therapy and the physical work you are doing in the yoga studio. If you or someone you love is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, make the decision to seek help today. Give Enlightened Solutions a call at (833) 801-LIVE.

Tag: 12-Step