A Christ-Centered

Twelve Step Program of

Addiction Recovery
Updated 4/13/06
Step 1
We admitted that we had become powerless over our dependencies and that
our lives were unmanageable.

Romans 7:18-19
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh), dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with
me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would, I do not; but the
evil which I would not, that I do.

Powerless over our separation from God, we use dependencies to fill the void caused by that
separation.

Unhealthy Dependencies

Alcohol or Drugs
People, Places, Things

Work or Achievement
Food

Exercise
Tobacco

Overspending
Control Addictions

Sexual Addiction
Power

Approval
Shopping

We use dependencies to avoid our pain. We live in a fantasy world. We cannot cope with life.
Our denial kept us from seeing how powerless and unmanageable our lives had become.

Surrender is the answer

We had to stop fighting God, others, and ourselves.

The solution:

Honesty Open-mindedness Willingness

Proverbs 4:12
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Romans 7:24
Oh wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

Study: Gen 4:7; Prov 14:12; 2 Cor 1:9; John 8:36; Rom 3:10, 23; Jas 2:10; Rom 6:23; Rom
7:5-6; Rom 7:5-6; Rom 7:18-20; Rom 7:24-25; Rom 8:1-2; Rom 8,9,10; 1 Cor 10:13-14;
1Pet 5:6-7; Prov 3:5-8.
Step 2
We came to believe that, through Jesus Christ, we could be restored to a right
relationship with God the Father, and subsequently find sanity and stability in
our lives. (The insanity is that we continue the same behavior and expect different results.)

2 Peter 2:22
But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit
again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Self-Destructive Behaviors

Negative Self Talk
Destructive Relationships

Physical Abuse of Self
Gambling

Physical Abuse of Others
Eating Disorders

Verbal Abuse of Others
Over Working

Drugs/Alcohol
Procrastination

Suicidal Thoughts
Pornography

Isolation
Fear

What Does F.E.A.R. Stand For For You?

Forget
Face

Everything
Everything

And
And

Run
Recover

Forms of Fear
Fear of Being Alone Fear of People
Fear of Dying Fear of Abandonment
Fear of Living Fear of Rejection
Fear of Failure Fear of the Unknown
Feelings of Inadequacy Guilt and Shame
Fear of Economic Insecurity

John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by
me.

John 6:40
And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on
him, may have everlasting life:

Study: Isa 1:18-20; Rev 3:20; Rom 10:13; Rom 10:1-4; John 14:1-14; John 3:3-6; John
7:37-39; John 11:25-26; John 5:37-40; 10:37-39; 2 Cor 4:13,14; Rom 8:11; John 20:29-31;
John 17:15-26.
Step 3
We made the decision to turn from the things of the past and invite Jesus to be
Lord and manager of our lives.

Jesus said in John 14:6

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by
me.

When we rely on God we begin to trust others and ourselves.

We give him our past, our future, our will, our body, soul & spirit.
With God all things are possible.

I can't! God can! I'll let Him!

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding; In all thy ways
acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

We Relinquish both Good and Bad

Worries
Lives

Faults
Families

Habits
Talents

Control
Strengths

Anger
Visions

Hurts
Goals

Disappointment
Will

Dependencies
Possessions

2 Timothy 1:7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and love, and of a sound mind.

Romans 10: 9-11

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God
hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto
righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith,
Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Study: Matt 11:28-30; Prov 16:3; 2 Cor 6:20; John 3:16-18, 36; 1 John 4:1517; 5:4-5; John
10:17-18; 12:24; I Cor 15:22; 2 Cor 5:15-21; Rom 5:17; Phil 3:7-9; Rom 6:12-14; 1 Pet
1:13-16.
Step 4
Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

Matthew 7:3-5
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brothers eye, but considereth not the beam that is
in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye;
and behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own
eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brothers eye.

We write our own life story- honesty is the key that breaks denial.

John 8:32
And you shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free.

Behaviors
Healthy Unhealthy

Generosity
Lying

Helping Others
Stealing

Being Compassionate
Greed

Communicating with Others
Envy

Admitting Mistakes
Gluttony

Supportive of Family/Friends
Violence

Work/Career
Cheating

Being Responsible
Pride

Praying
Lust

Exercise
Jealousy

Asking for Help
Slothfulness

Perfectionism

Ephesians 5:11
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

Ezekiel 36:31
Then shall you remember your own evil ways, and your doing that were not good, and shall loathe
yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for you abominations.

2 Corinthians 7:10
For Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the
world worketh death.

Study: Psa 139:23-24; Eph 4:17-5:21; Gal 5:13-16; Mark 7:20-23; 1 John 1:8; Eze 36:26,
27, 31; 2 Cor 7:10; Rom 13:11-14; Rom 12:1-3; John 8:34-36; Rom 8:5-9; 2 Cor 6:14-7:1; 1
John 3:19-24; Psa 19:14.
Step 5
We confessed to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact
nature of our sins.

James 5:16a
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed.

Adam and Eve tried to hide from God in the Garden. We need to run to God, not away from him.

Confession Promotes Healing: We are as Sick as our Secrets

Secrets Cause Honesty Promotes

Shame
Trust

Fear
Purity

Alienation
Acceptance of Others

Denial
Tolerance

Inadequacy
Serenity

Anger
Openness

Self Hatred
Forgiveness

Guilt
Confidence

Isolation
Belonging

Dishonesty
Patience

Low Self-Worth
Gratitude

Depression
Peace

Defensiveness
Self-Acceptance

Jesus died for our sins.

Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after
the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to overcome it.

1 John 1: 8-9
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our
sins, he is faithful and just forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Romans 13:12
The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let
us put on the armor of light.

Study: Psa 32:1-5; Prov 28:13; Luke 12:2-3; Prov 20:9; John 3:19-21; 1 John 1:8-10;
1 John 2:1-2; Jas 5:16.
Step 6
We were entirely ready to have God remove all of our sins.

Romans 12:1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living
sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

This is a lifelong process. It is progress not perfection.

We Discovered Our Defects In Step 4

Dishonesty
Gluttony

Control/Power
Unresolved Hurts

Greed
Laziness

Jealousy
Other Sins

Pride
Unhealthy Fears

Lust
Rage

Envy
Irresponsibility

Destructive Coping Skills

Alcohol
Suicide

Food
Excessive Exercise

Gambling
Over-Achievement

Shopping
Violence

Drugs
Work

Sex

Tobacco

A Transformation is occurring.
Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.

1 John 3:9
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin,
because he is born of God

Study: Gal 1:3-5; Heb 8:10-12; Acts 3:19; John 1:29; Eph 1:7; 1 John 3: 4-6; Eph 2:3-5; 1
Pet 2:24; Rom 12:1-2; Eph 4: 31-32; 2 Tim 2:15; Heb 4:13-16.
Step 7
We humbly asked God to remove our sins.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from
all unrighteousness.

Pain has been our teacher, which is the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
God uses pain to change us, NOT to punish us.

Matthew 23:12
And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased, and he that shall humble himself shall be
exalted.
Paradoxes of Prayer

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve

I was made weak, that I might learn to humbly obey

I asked for health, that I might do greater things

I was given infirmity, that I might do better things

I asked for riches, that I might be happy

I was given poverty, that I might be wise

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men

I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life

I was given life, that I might enjoy all things

I got nothing that I asked for

But everything I had hoped for almost despite myself,

My unspoken prayers were answered

I am, among all, most richly blessed !!!

Now the truth sets us free.

Proverbs 28:13
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have
mercy.

Psalm 32:5
I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and my inequity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my
transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.

Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Study: Psa 41:4; Psa 51:1-13; Prov 1:7, 15:33, 22:4; Mat 18:1-4; Luke 18:10-14;
1 Pet 5:6-7; Mat 3:1-2; Prov 20:9, 28:13; Psa 32:5.
Step 8
We made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make
amends to them all.
Luke 6:31
And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

Working Steps 8 and 9 will begin to relieve our isolation, fear, guilt, shame, and loneliness. We
learn to stop blaming others and learn to focus on taking responsibility for ourselves. We have
blamed our parents, our relatives, our friends, our teachers, and even God. We put ourselves first
on the list to make amends to. We forgive ourselves for our wrongs.

We list all the people we discovered in our 4th step inventory.

Our willingness is the importance of this step. We are willing to face the damage we
caused others and ourselves.
We look at whom we may have lied to, cheated, stole from, were envious or jealous of,
had inappropriate sexual relations with and any other hurt we caused.

Healing damaged relationships has begun.

Forgiveness helps us to let go of hurtful events of the past.

What we don't forgive we Re-Live.
The Lord's Prayer says: Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass
against us.

One Day At A Time.

Proverbs 14:9
Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favor

Matthew 5:23-24
Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought
against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy
brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Study: Prov 14:9; John 13:34-35; Mat 5:21-22; 1 John 2:9-11; Mat 7:12; Mark
11:25; Prov 20:22, 24:29; Luke 6: 27-28; Mat 6:14-15; 1 Pet 4:7-8.
Step 9
Made direct amends to such people whenever possible.

Matthew 5:23-24
Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought
against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy
brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

We have come too far to turn back now.

We pray about whom we can make direct amends to, we ask God to direct us.
We have to make amends face to face where possible.
We become reconciled to ourselves, others and God.

Isaiah 1:18
Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.

Psalm 103:12
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

We begin to feel self worth, self-respect, dignity, honor, and love for self and others.
We are no longer controlled by our secrets. We moved from the darkness into the light.
We have to courage to face life.

1 Peter 3:13
And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?

Study: Eze 33:14-15; Rom 13:7-8; Prov 25: 21-22; 1 Pet 3:13; Mat 25:40.
Step 10
We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly
admitted it.

1 Corinthians 10:12
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

We continue to take inventory of ourselves to assure we keep a clear conscience.

We ask the Holy Spirit to search us daily and when we are wrong we promptly admit it.
Our faith has given us healthier thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
We have replaced fear, guilt, shame, isolation, loneliness, anger, and other destructive
behaviors with:
Replacements for Fear

Gratitude

Humility

Generosity

Truth

Respect

Acceptance

Forgiveness

Caring

Patience

Humor

We make a gratitude list and add to it daily.

We learn about H.A.L.T. We don't become too:

Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired.
We seek Godly counsel each day and we have learned to associate with healthy people.

Proverbs 27:17
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

We learn to guard, protect, and polish our temple, as it is the dwelling place for the Holy Spirit.

Romans 12:3
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of
himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to
every man the measure of faith.

Study: 1 Pet 1:22-23; Luke 12:1-3; Eph 4:25-26; 2 Tim 2:23-24; 2 Tim 2:14-16; 1 Cor 13;
Phil 2:1-4; 1 John 1:9, 2:1-2; Heb 9:1-3; Phil 2:12-15; 1 Pet 2 16-17; Jas 1:22.
Step 11
We sought through prayer and meditation on Gods word to draw closer to
God through the door of His Son, Jesus Christ, praying for the knowledge of
His will and His grace to carry that out on a day by day basis.

The Bible is the greatest source for discovering God's will and purpose for our
lives.

B asic
I nstructions
B efore
L eaving
E arth

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of
evil, to give you an expected end.

Matthew 7:7
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

Prayer is talking to God.

Reading and Meditation on the Holy Bible is listening to God.

Proverbs 4:20-22
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine
eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and
health to all their flesh.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God
in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Study: Eph 3:14-19; Psa 1:1-3; Psa 40:8, 119:10-11, 143:10; Matt 12:50; Matt 6:5-13, 7:7-8;
John 16:23-24; Acts 1:14, 4:29-31; 2 Cor 10:4-5; Matt 18:18-20; Eph 6:18; Matt 26:41.
Step 12
Having been led by the Holy Spirit and through the revelation of Jesus Christ
we have experienced a Spiritual conversion and, as a result of these steps, we
strive to carry this message to others and to practice these Biblical principles in
all our affairs.

Galatians 6:1-2
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit
of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one anothers burdens, and
so fulfill the law of Christ.

Luke 15:20
And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him,
and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

Just as the prodigal son was restored to his rightful place, God is restoring us to our rightful
place.

We are amazed at how far we've come.

More will be revealed as we continue walking these steps.

Step 12 allows us to carry the message of healing to a hurting world. We practice the principles
of the steps in every area of our lives. We help others on their exodus from bondage.

It is in dying to Self that we are born anew.

Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be
witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost
part of the earth.

1 Peter 4:7-8
But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all
things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

Study: 2 Cor 1:2-4; 1 Pet 5:8-11; Jude 20-25; 2 Tim 4:3-5; Matt 10:7-33; John 8:31-32;
John 15:7-17.