Drug addiction alcoholism treatment alcohol abuse

12-step FAQ

Renascent, like many of the leading U.S. treatment centres, facilitates professional treatment using the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous because it’s proven to work as well or better than other therapies. It has the added bonus of providing clients with a free, confidential and vast global network of people who know what you’re going through because they’ve been there.

Most importantly, it’s worked for millions of people. Millions of alcoholics and drug addicts who at one time couldn’t comprehend stopping; millions of family members who had long forgotten what normal life looked and felt like.

Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:

• What’s the difference between Renascent and Alcoholics Anonymous?
• Is Alcoholics Anonymous a religious organization?
• Is there scientific proof that the 12 steps work?
• What’s the difference between Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon?
• What happens in 12-step meetings?
• Why is it important to attend 12-step meetings?
• What happens when you “work” the 12 steps?
• What is a sponsor?
• Where can I find a meeting?

What’s the difference between Renascent and Alcoholics Anonymous?

Renascent incorporates the 12-step philosophy of A.A. into treatment. Renascent is a professional treatment provider. We are a registered Canadian charity that is accountable to its donors and its other key funding partner: the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Renascent employs highly trained counsellors and works in partnership with professional healthcare providers to facilitate treatment plans customized to meet the needs of each client.

Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step groups are non-professional, mutual-aid fellowships where peers help one another through the 12-step program of recovery and its traditions. No formal professional treatment services are provided to members of 12-step groups.

Is Alcoholics Anonymous a religious organization?

No. While emphasis is placed on spirituality, people of all faiths, non-faiths and belief systems are welcome.

Agnostics (don’t know) and atheists (don’t believe) can receive the same recovery benefits as those who are spiritual and/or belong to a specific religious faith. While the founders of A.A. were Christian, Hindus, Muslims, Jews and Buddhists have found recovery through the 12 steps by interpreting the program through their own conception of what a higher power means to them.

Is there scientific proof that the 12 steps work?

To date, Project Match (Matching Alcoholism Treatment to Client Heterogeneity) remains the largest behavioural intervention trial conducted on alcoholism. It compared the effectiveness of three different approaches – Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), 12-Step Facilitated Treatment (TSF) and Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) – and found all three approaches are effective in the treatment of alcoholism. However, at the three-year follow-up mark, a significantly higher abstinence rate was found with clients who’d taken 12-step facilitated treatment.

Proof 12-step facilitated treatment is effective is found in outcome studies that independently verify than 71.4% of clients who take at least the primary and continuing care components of Renascent Complete Care are abstinent 24 months post-treatment.

There are millions of 12-step members around the world who can attest that the program works.

For more information about the effectiveness of 12-step facilitated treatment, read Dr. Rick Csiernik’s paper: 12-Step Orientated Residential Treatment Programs.

What’s the difference between Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon?

While separate from Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon is based on the same 12-step principles of recovery developed by A.A.

For both, anonymity is one of the program's basic principles. Meetings are confidential so members will not disclose whom they saw or what they heard at meetings to anyone.

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other, so they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. 

Al-Anon is comprised of people who have been affected by someone else's addiction problem: parents, children, spouses, partners, brothers, sisters, other family members, friends, employers, employees, and coworkers of alcoholics and drug addicts. 

What happens in 12-step meetings?

It is your choice to speak or not during meetings. Members are available to answer questions before or after the meetings.

Some meetings are open and some are closed. Open meetings function more like presentations whereas closed meetings are group discussions.

In closed meetings, members generally focus discussion on a topic – some groups choose to discuss a recovery principle or one of the 12 steps.

There are no dues or fees. Most groups pass a basket for voluntary contributions. Members are asked to contribute what they can afford, so that the group can pay rent, provide literature and offer support to local and worldwide service centres.

While meetings are often held in churches and the program is spiritual in nature, all faiths and non-faiths are welcome.

Why is it important to attend 12-step meetings?

Independent outcome studies show Renascent alumni who regularly attend meetings and who work with a sponsor are twice as successful.

Once you leave the safety of a residential treatment program you need ongoing support to navigate through early recovery. Regular attendance at meetings combined with Renascent’s Continuing Care offers great protection against relapse.

12-step meetings include open and honest discussions about all aspects of dealing with recovery, both the pains experienced during periods of substance use and the positive experiences brought by recovery. This holds true for families. Al-Anon and Alateen (for teenagers) are confidential places where families can seek help from people who’ve been there too.

Learn more about 12-step meetings, which are a free resource widely available in communities throughout the world.

What happens when you “work” the 12 steps?

By “working” the 12 Steps, people are able to recover and stay in recovery. Whether it’s being clean and sober or learning to focus your energy on your own life and not the addict in your life.

Members recognize their problem and develop the hope for recovery. They conduct a self-inventory of personal shortcomings, address the consequences of alcoholism, and make amends for harmful actions. They engage in healthy behaviours including daily meditation, ongoing 12-step participation, and developing spirituality and serenity. Members change maladaptive thoughts (known as “stinking thinking”), make healthy choices (e.g., avoiding slippery places), and reach out to others who can support them in their recovery (“stick with the winners”).

What is a sponsor?

Sponsors are not required to vouch for you so you can gain membership. Anyone who has a desire to stop drinking/using drugs or is affected by another person’s addiction can join the 12-step group that meets their needs.

Instead, a sponsor is a recovery mentor, someone who is a member of a 12-step group (usually your home group) who can help you work the steps. Since the 12-step fellowship is founded on the principle that people with similar problems are well equipped to help others with similar problems, a sponsor is a peer. Usually people seek sponsors with whom they identify and who have more recovery experience.

Where can I find a meeting?

Meetings are widely available in communities around the world, throughout the day, every day of the week. Consult this online meeting schedule to find the best fit for your schedule.