Do these steps apply to substance abuse too?
 

Hi everyone...I would really like to start the 12 steps recovery programme as the non-addict girlfriend... but do these steps just apply to alcoholics?? My bf is a recovering cocaine addict. Thanks

the 12 steps of many recovery programs have been adapted from the original 12 steps of AA, which were adapted from the oxford group. the wording of the steps is a lil different for each recovery program, but the principles behind the steps are the same.

They apply to just about everything I think. You are welcome to join in and share your journey with us

Cats

Hi Lara,

I read your first thread here to get a sense of what you are going through. In a very real sense, it doesn't matter whether the drug is cocaine or alcohol...both are an addiction. But, more importantly, the 12 steps here in the F&F forum, are entirely for YOU, not the addict. The addict has their own recovery if they chose.

I will tell you this. I came here for the same reason you came here...because we both are hurting due to the actions of another. I did as someone suggested in your first thread to you about reading a lot of recommended books to help me learn about the addiction. The most important advice was to go to Al-Anon and by extension...work the 12 steps towards our recovery.

I did the 12 steps here at SR because I am a writer and writing (including journals) help me. I am so grateful for CatsPajamas posting the 12 steps here because they were a large part of my recovery. I read, wrote, listended, talked, cried, had a couple great friends here that helped me, and worked these 12 steps. Working them honestly forced me to look at ME, not the addict and they eventually changed ME so I am now able to cope with the fallout of my wife's addictions.

I hope you are able to work the steps, either here or with an Al-Anon sponsor, or both. I believe that SR and these steps pulled me out of the deep hole of despair I was in when I made my first post here. I know what you are going through and I know how you feel. I truly wish you well and please take care of YOU.

There are groups called NarAnon, (narcotics), AlAnon (alcoholics) a cocaine family group...all sorts of groups that have steps and SPONSORS who are critical to help you work steps...just like the addict groups.