Of the twelve steps, step three can best be referred to as the delivery process. He affirms that a lifelong recovery can only be achieved by making a decision to surrender his will to a higher being. As expected, many people in recovery initially have problems with this step. It's understandable to be difficult if someone doesn't believe in God or if they have conflicting feelings about religion.
However, step 3 is not meant to make you feel obligated to follow any God or a specific set of religious beliefs. Instead, it will help you learn to trust your higher power (whatever it may be) to be the best version of yourself you can be. Before you start working on Step 3 of the 12-Step Program, you must be fully prepared to hand over control of your life to a higher power. This is a very difficult thing to do in a society that tells us that we control our destiny, when, in fact, some things are far beyond our control.
The worksheets in Step 3 are great tools to help you complete this step and identify any obstacles along the way. The best resources for AA Step 3 printable worksheets are your sponsor, counselor, or addiction treatment provider. However, you can also find them online. After completing the Step 3 worksheets, you'll get more out of it if you talk to your sponsor or an addiction treatment professional.
The discussion can help you process your thoughts, gain additional understanding and perspective on Step 3, and learn to apply it to your life. Working in the 12-Step Program with another person is not a requirement, but doing so only severely limits your potential for growth, change, and self-reflection. Working through the 12 Steps with a community of sober peers, a sponsor, and certified addiction treatment professionals offers many benefits, including a wealth of knowledge, advice, support, and wisdom you wouldn't otherwise gain. Working through supplemental guides (such as printable worksheets from Step 3) with others is also very helpful and therapeutic.
Alcoholics Anonymous, founded by Bill W.
The 12 Steps
Act as Rules and Guidelines for Overcoming Alcoholism. Alcoholics Anonymous groups focus on spirituality, self-reflection and change. It dictates the will to change life and place it in the care of a higher being.Focus on the Personalized Change Needed to Overcome Addiction. Step 3 is the culmination of steps 1 and 2, which touch on the admission of alcohol addiction and belief in a higher power. Recognize that once you become an alcoholic, you are helpless in the face of the attraction of alcohol. The purpose of the third step is to succumb to a higher power.
Doesn't require a strong religious vision or education. It only requires a participant to genuinely seek help and accept that they cannot overcome addiction on their own. The first three steps of A, A. Require the participant to admit that they have no power over alcohol and that they need the help of a higher power.
Each of the steps in Alcoholics Anonymous has spiritual principles that accompany them. Spiritual principles serve to provide direct actions to achieve the steps. The main principle for Step 3 is faith. During this step, a participant must abandon their old ways and surrender control of their own lives.
By doing so, they can avoid certain triggers for alcoholism. They must also have faith that the system works and that higher power will help them overcome their addiction. For many, faith can be a difficult principle. Those who come from a non-religious education or atheistic viewpoints may struggle.
However, it's important to remember that faith in a higher power is key to Alcoholics Anonymous's success. The prayer of the third step, different from the prayer of serenity, can be summarized as giving oneself to a higher power. Finally, the term higher power often refers to the will of God. A higher power or a higher purpose may vary between people.
For example, some may consider that their children, partner, or work are the strength they need to overcome addiction. It's important to remember that A, A. It's a form of addiction treatment. Provides tools for lifelong use.
This means that the steps of A, A. They are not only to be completed, but also guidelines for living. Completing Step 3 means consciously repeating impotence from alcohol. It only works on those who are truly seeking help and treatment for their substance abuse.
To complete Step 3, a person only needs to truly surrender their own will and live to a higher power or purpose. They need to fully admit their addiction, reject their old ways, and accept treatment. Like any step from A, A. Many people may only state their desire to give up alcohol to placate their friends and family.
This mindset will reduce the effectiveness of A, A. In a nutshell, one must want to stop drinking internally for the program to be successful. If you or a loved one has problems with alcohol use, then A, A. The recovery process lasts a lifetime, but with the right help, you can overcome addiction.
Alcoholics Anonymous treatment centers and groups across the United States are ready and equipped to help. And any recovery process admits that there is a problem. If you need alcohol to work, it's time to seek help. Inpatient treatment is the most intensive and effective option for treating alcohol addiction.
These programs usually last 30, 60, or 90 days. They may be longer in some cases. Throughout an inpatient program, you will live on-site in a safe, substance-free environment. You'll first undergo a doctor-supervised detox and then undergo behavioral therapy.
Other services may be added to your regime. Many of these treatment programs help you with an aftercare program. Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) PHPs are the second most intensive alcohol addiction programs. Sometimes referred to as intensive outpatient programs (IOPs).
PHP Provides Services Comparable to Inpatient Programs. The main difference between PHP programs and inpatient programs is that you return home and sleep at home during a partial hospitalization program. Some PHPs provide food and transportation. PHPs are ideal for new patients and those who have completed an inpatient program and still require intensive treatment.
Outpatient programs are less intensive than inpatient programs and PHP. They are better for people who are highly motivated to achieve sobriety. Patients often have responsibilities at work, home, or school. These programs customize your treatment sessions according to your schedule.
Outpatient programs can be part of aftercare once the patient completes an inpatient program or PHP. Medication-Assisted Therapy (MAT) Certain People Qualify for Medication-Assisted Therapy. Some Medications May Help You During Detox and Withdrawal. Others may reduce cravings and normalize body functions.
MAT can help prevent relapse and increase the chances of recovery when combined with other therapies. Support groups are peer-led organizations made up of people dedicated to helping each other stay sober. They can be the first step toward sobriety or part of an aftercare plan. Many of these programs follow the 12-step approach.
Although each step can be challenging in its own way, Step 3 can be particularly difficult for some people. Next, we'll provide a detailed look at Step 3 with specific tips on how you can work through this step alongside your sober peers or while completing a sober living program. The third step of the 12-Step Program is essentially describing the process of surrendering your will to your higher power to maintain a life of lasting sobriety. Instead, the 12-Step Program only requires that you surrender to a higher power and be open to having a spiritual awakening.
It requires you to put into practice the thoughts and words you utter during Steps 1 and 2 by putting your faith in a higher power and courageously giving your life to someone or something else (fellowship, family, sponsor, etc.). This step comes after learning and accepting that your life is unmanageable and that you have no control over restoring sanity. Saying the words alone won't transform your life, but continuing to work with Steps 4 through 12 will. As if giving up your free will wasn't difficult enough, many people also struggle with the fact that this step refers to God as the higher power.
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