Santa Cruz 12-Step Recovery Scene

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The 12 steps and 12-step programs are a huge part of building a foundation for longevity in sobriety. There are certain factors that come with being a part of a 12-step recovery program that is essential to a well-rounded journey in recovery.

There are plenty of 12-step meetings and programs in Santa Cruz, but we will cover everything you need to know about what the 12 steps are how they can be beneficial for you and the Santa Cruz community and how they have lots of different types of programs for anyone that needs support, help or a fellowship.

What Are The 12 Steps?

The 12 steps originate from a program called Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Most other programs utilize the base that AA set as their foundation for the 12 steps they follow.

The original AA 12 steps are as follows:

Step 1

We admitted we were powerless over alcohol – that our lives had become unmanageable.

Step 2

Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

Step 3

Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

Step 4

Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

Step 5

Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

Step 6

Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

Step 7

Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.

Step 8

Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.

Step 9

Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

Step 10

Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

Step 11

Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

Step 12

Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

Benefits of 12 Steps in Recovery

There are lots of benefits that working the 12 steps can do to help you in your journey in recovery. There are benefits you will experience in your everyday life as well outside of just sobriety.

You will get a set of tools placed at your feet that will allow you to live free and be the best version of yourself. They provide a sober community.

Community

Attending 12-step meetings provides a readymade sober community, which is perhaps their greatest benefit. It is also one of the biggest challenges people face when they begin their recovery that they do not have a strong sober network. They often find it difficult to meet new people because most of their old friends still use drugs and alcohol. By attending 12-step meetings, you get to know other people who strive for sobriety as well as those who can offer you assistance when you need it.

It’s Everywhere

Another advantage of 12-step meetings is their accessibility. There are 12 step meetings in almost every city and town. Participation becomes even more convenient when this is removed as an excuse. A meeting is probably within walking distance in most cities, making it easy to fit into your schedule.

Commitment

Keeping up with regular meetings is an excellent way to remain committed to your recovery. Going to a 12-step meeting regularly is a wonderful reminder of your hard-earned lessons and a constant reminder of why working hard to remain sober is so important, much like going to church every week to be reminded of your values and beliefs and see your fellow parishioners.

Structure

Early on in a recovery process, it’s not wise to spend too much time unstructured. Isolation and boredom often trigger cravings. You stay grounded and give your day some structure when you have somewhere to be at a regular time and see others who support you.

Help Others

A 12 step meeting is also a chance to be of service. You can improve your self-esteem and sense of gratitude by volunteering, even in a small way. You are able to focus on helping others instead of worrying about your own problems.

Santa Cruz 12-Step Resources

The most popular 12-step programs in the Santa Cruz area, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), these programs specifically have meetings all across the area every day of the week.

Additional 12-step resources include (but are not limited to):

You can take a look at the AA Big Book that these programs were all derived from here.

Get Help Today

If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol abuse or drug addiction, contact us here at Wellness Retreat Recovery Center. We are equipped with the tools you need to start your road to recovery. We will show you everything that the Santa Cruz 12-step scene has to offer.