Twelve Step Program
Alcoholics Anonymous, founded by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith in Akron,
Ohio in 1935 is known as the first twelve step program. Others would
soon follow, seeking success by applying the same basic formula outlined
in the official A.A. text to other addictions like cocaine and heroin
(Narcotics Anonymous), and to obsessive behaviors like overeating
(Overeaters Anonymous).
The twelve step program has it’s roots in religion and was begun as a
religious organization. With the evolution of A.A., and the inclusion of
an ambigous “Higher Power,” the concept of “spiritual, not religious,”
arose and seems to have derived from the desire to keep religion
separate from A.A. Historically and conceptually though, the practices
of A.A., and the Twelve Steps are Biblical in roots and nature.
The Twelve Step program is based upon the principles outlined in the
official text, “Alcoholics Anonymous” or the “Big Book” as it is known
to AA members. Written by Wilson and early members of A.A., the Twelve
Steps were essentially a rewriting of the 6 steps of the Oxford
Group(founded by Frank Buchman).
After moderate success in curing their addictions, or “illnesses,”
Wilson was asked by Dr. Smith and other members of the Akron group to
write a book about the program. Instead, Wilson returned to New York and
authored a completely different book which also included the teachings
of Rev. Samuel M. Shoemaker, Jr., rector of Calvary Episcopal Church in
New York, and a leader of the Oxford Group in America. Shoemaker’s
ideas, which are found almost verbatim in the Twelve Steps, were added
to this new “Big Book”. Also added were theories about alcoholism from
Dr. William D. Silkworth, arguments for the necessity of conversion from
Dr. Carl G. Jung, and the idea of a “higher power” from Professor
William James, as well as thoughts from Anne Smith (Dr. Bob’s wife),
techniques from Richard Peabody and his Common Sense of Drinking book,
and elements of the writings “Universal Mind,” “Czar of the Universe,”
and “higher power.” The basis for the twelve steps can be found in the
Oxford Group teachings of Rowland Hazard and Ebby Thacher in late 1934
and early 1935, although neither the Oxford Group nor early A.A. in New
York or Akron used any “steps” at all.
Twelve step groups meet regularly to discuss problems and share
experiences, challenges, successes and failures, and provide support for
each other. All twelve-step programs follow a variation of the original
Twelve Step program. One of the most widely-recognized and satirized
characteristics of the twelve step program is the requirement that
members state their name and admit they are “an alcoholic”, the line
“Hi, I’m Pam and I’m an alcoholic” is a catchphrase now widely
identified with the twelve step program and support groups such as A.A.
And others. The main belief of A.A. members is that recovery requires
them to admit they have a problem, and to give themselves up and put
their faith in God, or a “Higher Power”.Additionally, The only
requirement for membership to A.A., “is the desire to stop drinking”.
