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12 Step Recovery

12-Step Recovery began in 1935 with the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).  The original 12 Steps were adapted from the steps for spritual recovery that were incorporated into the Oxford Groups in the early 1900's.  They were adapted by the founders of AA to be specific to the spritual recovery from alcoholism.  The "12 Steps" have now been incorporated into over one hundred forms of self-help groups. 
 
On the page below, there are some listings for 12 Step recovery programs.  There are also listings under the Recovery Support section entitled "Self Help."
 
 
 
 

Al-Anon Family Groups

For over 55 years, Al-Anon (which includes Alateen for younger members) has been offering strength and hope for friends and families of problem drinkers. It is estimated that each alcoholic affects the lives of at least four other people... alcoholism is truly a family disease. No matter what relationship you have with an alcoholic, whether they are still drinking or not, all who have been affected by someone else’s drinking can find solutions that lead to serenity in the Al-Anon/Alateen fellowship.
 
Al-Anon is a fellowship of those who are affected by another's drinking who come together to share their experience, strength and hope in order to solve their common problems. We have but one purpose: to help families and friends of alcoholics. If you feel you have been affected by someone's drinking, you are welcome at Al-Anon meetings.
 
 
For information on Al-Anon Family Groups in Maine, call Maine's Al-Anon Information Center at (207) 284-1844 or at 1-800-498-1844. 
 
For meeting schedules and additional information, you can also visit the Maine Al-Anon website at http://sites.google.com/a/maineafg.org/ais/Home.
 
 

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous® is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
 
For more information on AA, go to the AA World Services web site:  http://www.aa.org
 
For more information on AA throughout the State of Maine:  http://www.aamaine.org
 
For more information, meetings, and other AA activities in the Bangor area, go to http://www.aamainedistrict3.org/.
 
 

Narcotics Anonymous

Narcotics Anonymous is an international, community-based association of recovering drug addicts with more than 43,900 weekly meetings in over 127 countries worldwide. 

Membership is open to all drug addicts, regardless of the particular drug or combination of drugs used. When adapting AA?s First Step, the word ?addiction? was substituted for ?alcohol,? thus removing drug-specific language and reflecting the ?disease concept? of addiction.

There are no social, religious, economic, racial, ethnic, national, gender, or class-status membership restrictions. There are no dues or fees for membership; while most members regularly contribute small sums to help cover the expenses of meetings, such contributions are not mandatory.

Narcotics Anonymous provides a recovery process and support network inextricably linked together. One of the keys to NA?s success is the therapeutic value of addicts working with other addicts. Members share their successes and challenges in overcoming active addiction and living drug-free productive lives through the application of the principles contained within the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of NA. These principles are the core of the Narcotics Anonymous recovery program. Principles incorporated within the steps include:

            -  admitting there is a problem;

            -  seeking help;

            -  engaging in a thorough self-examination;

            -  confidential self-disclosure;

            -  making amends for harm done; and

            -  helping other drug addicts who want to recover.

Central to the Narcotics Anonymous program is its emphasis on practicing spiritual principles. Narcotics Anonymous itself is non-religious, and each member is encouraged to cultivate an individual understanding?religious or not?of this ?spiritual awakening.?

Narcotics Anonymous is not affiliated with other organizations, including other twelve step programs, treatment centers, or correctional facilities. As an organization, NA does not employ professional counselors or therapists nor does it provide residential facilities or clinics. Additionally, the fellowship does not provide vocational, legal, financial, psychiatric, or medical services. NA has only one mission: to provide an environment in which addicts can help one another stop using drugs and find a new way to live. 

In Narcotics Anonymous, members are encouraged to comply with complete abstinence from all drugs including alcohol. It has been the experience of NA members that complete and continuous abstinence provides the best foundation for recovery and personal growth. NA as a whole has no opinion on outside issues, including prescribed medications. Use of psychiatric medication and other medically indicated drugs prescribed by a physician and taken under medical supervision is not seen as compromising a person?s recovery in NA.

For information on Narcotics Anonymous, go to Narcotics Anonymous World Services at http://www.na.org/.
 
For information on Narcotics Anonymous in Maine, and in the Bangor area, go to Maine Area Narcotics Anonymous at http://namaine.org/index.html.