Why and How the 12-Steps work

Why and How the 12-Steps work

An addiction is not a process of the conscious mind (Frontal lobe). By the time the frontal lobe of the brain is informed of the decision to drink (or use drugs) it is too late.

The term “dying for a drink” (fix, cigarette, etc.) is actually not an exaggeration. The decision to drink/ use is made in a “primitive” survival instinct part of the brain. I’ve heard it said that the decision to drink or use is triggered in the same part of the brain that provides the “fight or flight” mechanism. HBO’s report on addiction says it happens in the same part of the brain that controls the urge to eat and the sex drive. In either case, these parts of the brain are not under full command of the frontal lobe. There is a “stop” mechanism in the brain, but this mechanism becomes inoperable in the addicted mind (especially in adolescents whose stop mechanisms are not yet developed). This renders willpower alone helpless to stop. The addict/ alcoholic genuinely thinks they are going to die, and the frontal lobe (conscious mind) agrees completely. The focus of the mind narrows so that nothing else becomes important. Even though the consequences can be catastrophic, the addict simply cannot care – They must have their drink or fix.

The urge to drink/ use can be caused by nearly anything, but the real killers, so to speak, are emotions and stress. They are restless, irritable and discontented, unless they can again experience the sense of ease and comfort which comes at once by taking a few drinks[2] What makes this worse are resentments. Negative experiences are compounded by “re-living” the event over and over again until the stressful situation is blown way out of proportion by the mind. The twelve steps reduce stress so that the mechanism that makes the alcoholic/ addict think they need to take a drink/ fix to live will, over time, no longer be triggered.

The twelve steps are not so much a way to get sober (If getting sober was enough, detoxification “detox or rehab” would be enough to keep people clean and sober. But anyone who has been around an alcoholic/ addict who has tried, knows that detox by itself is not enough) The 12-steps offer a way to live sober. The members no longer feel they need to escape because their consciences are kept clear by a daily working of the steps. They are able to cope with problems by letting God handle the ones which are insurmountable. They do not feel they have to lie to cover up their bad actions, because, though nobody is perfect, when they do wrong, they promptly admit it. They do not allow their minds to entertain resentments. With God’s help, they deal with problems before the mind tries to exaggerate them.

Eventually, usually from six months to two years, the addict/ alcoholic begins to experience serenity. The stress levels never build up to a breaking point. In time, the irresistible urge to drink/ use is taken away. we will find that this has happened automatically. We will see that our new attitude toward liquor has been given us without any thought or effort on our part. It just comes! That is the miracle of it. We are not fighting it, neither are we avoiding temptation. We feel as though we had been placed in a position of neutrality—safe and protected. We have not even sworn off. Instead, the problem has been removed. It does not exist for us. [3]

2 Alcoholics Anonymous (The “Big Book”)
“The Doctors opinion” (By William D. Silkworth, M.D.) Pages xxvi – xxvii

3 Alcoholics Anonymous (The “Big Book”)
“Into Action” Page 85