Twelve-step program
Introduction


**Twelve\-step programs** are international [mutual aid](/wiki/Mutual_aid_%28organization_theory%29 "Mutual aid (organization theory)") programs supporting recovery from substance [addictions](/wiki/wikt:Addiction "Addiction"), [behavioral addictions](/wiki/Behavioral_addiction "Behavioral addiction") and [compulsions](/wiki/Compulsive_behavior "Compulsive behavior"). Developed in the 1930s, the first twelve\-step program, [Alcoholics Anonymous](/wiki/Alcoholics_Anonymous "Alcoholics Anonymous") (AA), founded by [Bill Wilson](/wiki/Bill_W. "Bill W.") and [Bob Smith](/wiki/Bob_Smith_%28doctor%29 "Bob Smith (doctor)"), aided its membership to overcome [alcoholism](/wiki/Alcoholism "Alcoholism"). Since that time [dozens of other organizations](/wiki/List_of_twelve-step_groups "List of twelve-step groups") have been derived from AA's approach to address problems as varied as [drug addiction](/wiki/Substance_abuse "Substance abuse"), [compulsive gambling](/wiki/Problem_gambling "Problem gambling"), [sex](/wiki/Sex_addiction "Sex addiction"), and [overeating](/wiki/Overeating "Overeating"). All twelve\-step programs utilize a version of AA's suggested twelve steps first published in the 1939 book *[Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered from Alcoholism](/wiki/The_Big_Book_%28Alcoholics_Anonymous%29 "The Big Book (Alcoholics Anonymous)").*

As summarized by the [American Psychological Association](/wiki/American_Psychological_Association "American Psychological Association") (APA), the process involves the following:
* admitting that one cannot control one's alcoholism, addiction, or compulsion;
* coming to believe in a [Higher Power](/wiki/Higher_Power "Higher Power") that can give strength;
* examining past errors with the help of a sponsor (experienced member);
* making amends for these errors;
* learning to live a new life with a new code of behavior;
* helping others who suffer from the same alcoholism, addictions, or compulsions.


Why are mutual aid programs effective for recovery from substance addictions?