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12 Steppers

12steppers.org is a website founded in August of 2018 in response to the rising addiction epidemic in the United States. The purpose of 12steppers.org is to provide the most up-to-date, accurate information regarding addiction to & withdrawal from various substances as well as pertinent information about 12 step programs.

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Bill Wilson Alcoholics Anonymous Founder

What Does ‘Friends of Bill’ or ‘Friends of Bill W.’ Mean?

12 Step Programs, Alcoholics Anonymous / By / 7 minutes of reading

What does ‘Friends of Bill’ mean?
“Friends of Bill” or “Friends of Bill W.” is a discreet term commonly used to refer to members of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or individuals who are in recovery from alcohol addiction. The phrase is an allusion to William Griffith Wilson, often known as Bill W., who co-founded AA alongside Dr. Bob Smith. The term underscores the importance of anonymity within the AA community.
Beyond its use in AA meetings, the term has found its way into various contexts such as cruise ships, biker gatherings, and other public events as a subtle call for mutual support or a sign of shared sobriety. Whether during a “Friends of Bill W. gathering” on a Royal Caribbean cruise or through a biker sporting an “I’m a Friend of Bill W.” patch, the phrase symbolizes solidarity, understanding, and the continuous journey toward recovery.

Divorce - Cut Marriage Certificate

Do 12 Step Programs Cause Divorce?

12 Step Programs / By / 5 minutes of reading

No two marriages are the same. Therefore, it is hard to predict how addiction and recovery are likely to affect a specific union.

However, some general rules of the thumb do apply. Addiction does not benefit healthy human relationships, romantic or otherwise. It brings out the more manipulative and self-centered sides in most people’s personalities. Therefore, all things being equal, recovery from addiction should benefit most romantic relationships.

How AA Works Happy Joyous Free

How Alcoholics Anonymous Works

12 Step Meetings, 12 Steps, Alcoholics Anonymous / By / 5 minutes of reading

Despite being around for over 80 years, there is still a certain aura of mystery surrounding Alcoholics Anonymous. Some people say it is a miracle program that saved their lives, while others call it a cult.

The truth is, it is neither. Alcoholics Anonymous is a structured program that aims to facilitate recovery by providing a solid structure for a fulfilling spiritual life, to help addicts overcome their alcoholism.

How does it work? Members regularly attend meetings and find a sponsor. The support of these individuals is crucial to a successful recovery. They then work the 12-steps outline in AA literature carefully and methodically. If members genuinely want to quit drinking and follow the steps, they usually able to stay dry and establish a more fulfilling life in the long run.

Helping Interlocking Hands

How to Take a Sponsee Through the 12 Steps – A Guide

12 Steps / By / 5 minutes of reading

Being a sponsor is one of the most significant responsibilities for any recovering addict or alcoholic. However, it is worth remembering that aside from providing a service to others, acting as a sponsor is also part of your recovery. As the 12th Step tells us: “we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.” There is no better way to put this into practice than sponsoring an ailing addict and aiding their recovery.

By definition, the heart of a twelve-step program is the steps in question. The twelve steps are an incredibly difficult challenge to overcome, and they require the guidance and support of a sponsor. Therefore, the responsibility of a sponsor to help their sponsee through the steps is the most critical and challenging part of the sponsorship role.

The AA Principles

The 12 Spiritual Principles (Virtues) of AA & What They Mean

12 Steps, Alcoholics Anonymous / By / 7 minutes of reading

The 12-steps are the cornerstone of a popular approach to treating addiction, first popularized decades ago by Alcoholics Anonymous. The steps and the 12-step process more generally have a spiritual component.

However, the spiritual components of each step are not always apparent. In addition, the wording behind the steps often stresses practical concerns over spiritual ones.

Bill W., one of the two founders of AA, stressed the spiritual side of the program and wished to make that element more explicit. The 12 step program ultimately aims to replace destructive tendencies and addiction with a healthier and more sustainable way of life. Therefore, he envisioned a spiritual program that would be incorporated into all facets of day-to-day life.

Alcohol Sadness

5 Ways Alcoholics Anonymous Helps

Alcoholics Anonymous / By / 5 minutes of reading

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship and organization that is known worldwide. It is available for men, women, and teenagers who struggle with alcoholism. Whether someone abuses alcohol or admits to having a problem with alcohol, Alcoholics Anonymous can help them. The meetings are not professional. They provide a supportive environment for anyone who needs help with overcoming their alcohol abuse or alcohol problem.

12 Step Sponsorship Helping Hand

A Sponsor’s Role in 12 Step Programs

12 Step Programs / By / 5 minutes of reading

To work through any 12-step program, you will need a sponsor. It’s common for beginners to start with a temporary sponsor. That person or another individual will later become your permanent sponsor. They will become an essential part in walking you through the recovery process.

The AA literature defines the sponsor as: “An alcoholic who has made some progress in the recovery program shares that experience on a continuous, individual basis with another alcoholic who is attempting to attain or maintain sobriety through A.A.” The principle is very similar in the other 12-step programs, as they all adopted this role from the mother program.

While the sponsor does not have to be to an individual who has completed all 12-steps, they should be significantly ahead of the sponsee so that they possess the wisdom of experience to help traverse the earlier stages of recovery.

Hand reaching out helping other person

What is a Sponsor and What to Look for in a 12-Step Sponsor

12 Step Programs, Alcoholics Anonymous, CoSex & Love Addicts Anonymous, Heroin Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Sex & Love Addicts Anonymous, Sex Addicts Anonymous, Sexaholics Anonymous, Sexual Compulsives Anonymous, Sexual Recovery Anonymous / By / 5 minutes of reading

The official AA literature defines a sponsor as “an alcoholic who has made some progress in the recovery program shares that experience on a continuous, individual basis with another alcoholic who is attempting to attain or maintain sobriety through AA.” Sponsors serve an identical role in other 12-step fellowships.

The official definition significantly underrates the role of the sponsor. If you choose correctly, they will be an integral part of recovery. They will help keep you on the straight and narrow and avoid relapse. It is deeply inadvisable to attempt to work the steps without the guidance and advice of your sponsor on every single step. At first, you can select a temporary sponsor and begin work with them. But ultimately, finding the right permanent sponsor will be a crucial element in determining the success of your recovery. Therefore, it is very important to make the right choice in this regard.

Remember that performing service for the fellowship and its members is an important part of recovery. Therefore, in a very real way, you and your sponsor are helping each other through recovery. The sponsor and sponsee relationship are one of the best examples of the kind of mutual fellowship which helps 12-step participants remain sober in the long-term.

When looking for a sponsor, do not settle for the first member you make a connection with. Look for these important attributes:

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