Who invented the 12 step program?

Answer 1

Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob developed the original the 12 Step program, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) during the 1930s.

AA isn't the only option today. Some of the choices, both 12 step and non-12 step, include:

Moderation Management stresses balance, moderation, self-management, and personal responsibility.

Drink Wise is a brief, confidential educational program for people with mild to moderate alcohol problems who want to eliminate the negative consequences of their drinking.

Habit Smart promotes the reduction of harmful behaviors and harm through habit change and wise choices.

(1-800-303-2873) - Established as an alternative to the spiritual nature of AA as well as its view that alcoholics are powerless and must submit to God's will in order to recover, Rational Recovery stresses the innate power and strength of individuals themselves to overcome obstacles. It rejects the AA belief that "once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic." Rational Recovery teaches people how to become independent of both alcohol addiction and of organizations dealing with Alcoholism.

(310-821-8430) - Secular Organizations For Sobriety (SOS), also known as Save Our Selves, this program stresses the need to place the highest priority on sobriety and uses mutual support to assist members in achieving this goal. The Suggested Guidelines for Sobriety emphasize rational decision-making and are not religious or spiritual in nature.

Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART Recovery) views alcohol dependence as a bad habit and attempts to use common sense techniques to break the habit.

The mutual support groups of Women for Sobriety work to enhance the self-esteem of members. Women for Sobriety groups are non-religious and the meetings also differ from those of AA in that they prohibit the use of tobacco, caffeine and sugar.