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I know that observing something, even first hand, has nothing to do with going through it yourself, but still I have admired the inner power and will of a very close person who went through all the 12 steps of an addiction recovery program.
It all began the same way as it normally goes - party drinking at college, having fun on the weekends, being young and wild, enjoying life… most people go through that stage, they leave it behind then and continue with their lives, but my brother wasn't one of them. He stayed in this stage, going down and down till he finally got to the very bottom. Then there was no other way but taking the 12 step program.
There was no other way to force him into the program but to attack him all together. When speaking about addictions this act is usually referred to as intervention, and it is considered to be one of the best ways of to help addicts to join a 12 step recovery program.
When doing this people usually feel bad about confronting the unfortunate person, however this is absolutely necessary in order to save him or her. And normally after the program hey do realize who and how has helped them even if they at first refuse t start it, run away, or just start hating you.
When already recovered they will be always thankful to you for what you did. Of course that "Thank you!" is not even a tenth as important as the rewarding feeling you get by helping you friend or loved to recover and seeing him or her as a healthy and happy person again.
Remember that from all the available different types of 12 step problems, you not only have to take one, but take the most appropriate one. Not choosing the right one means that you'll only waste time and energy for no results, because being into the program does not mean that you'll be fixed.
The program that my brother took was not the right one as it was a Christian 12 step and he is an atheist, so he could not establish that bond with the others in the group. And as this usually leads to falling back to the addiction, it is a good idea to have someone with you when you are starting the program. That's what we did with my sister, there was always one of us to go there and attend the meeting along with our brother.
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