12-Step Recovery

Recovery is not a solo mission. It’s a journey best taken with structure, community, and guidance. That’s where the 12-Step model comes in. At Florida Atlantic Coast Treatment Solutions (FACTS), we integrate 12-Step recovery principles into our broader addiction treatment approach, offering clients proven tools for healing and connection.

Participating in a 12-Step program for addiction recovery can provide clarity, accountability, and hope. At FACTS, we are here to support you every step of the way, offering compassionate care and a structured environment to help you find lasting healing and growth.

What Is 12-Step Recovery?

12-Step recovery is a structured, community-driven approach to overcoming addiction that has helped millions of people worldwide. Originally developed by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), the 12 Steps outline a path for personal growth, reflection, and lifelong sobriety.

The approach has since been adapted for a range of substance use and behavioral health concerns, including Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and more. At its core, the 12-Step model helps individuals:

  • Acknowledge the need for help and support
  • Examine the impact of addiction on themselves and others
  • Take personal responsibility for past actions
  • Make amends and rebuild relationships
  • Connect with a sense of purpose or higher power
  • Provide support to others who are also recovering

What Are The Steps and How Does It Work?

The 12 Steps are as follows:

  1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol – that our lives had become unmanageable.
  2. Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
  3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood him.
  4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
  5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. 
  6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
  7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
  8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
  9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. 
  10. Continued to take personal inventory, and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
  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. 
  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. 

 

The 12 Steps are a concept that was initially introduced in Alcoholics Anonymous as a way for alcoholics to help other alcoholics through a peer-led mentoring system via a sponsor and a sponsee, using the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. A sponsor is someone who has completed the steps before and has a considerable length of sobriety. The sponsee is a new member of the AA program who requires guidance through the steps and meets and talks to their sponsor frequently, using them as a sounding board during early sobriety.  

12-Step Introduction at FACTS

At FACTS, we introduce 12-Step recovery in a way that’s flexible and respectful of each individual’s background, beliefs, and readiness. Whether you’re new to the steps or familiar with them, our team is here to support your personal process.

The program encourages honesty, humility, spiritual growth (in a non-religious way), and service to others. It’s not just about staying sober. It’s about building a life that feels meaningful, stable, and fulfilling.

See How 12-Step Support Can Help You During Rehab

During your time at Florida Atlantic Coast Treatment Solutions, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in 12-Step meetings during rehab as part of your care. These meetings are designed to complement the evidence-based therapies outlined in each patient’s treatment plan.


12-Step support at FACTS may include:

  • On-site or local AA and NA meetings
  • Peer-led group discussions rooted in the Steps
  • Journaling and step study workshops
  • Exploring sponsorship and service work
  • Connecting with sober mentors and alumni

We help clients apply the steps in practical, daily ways, offering structure without rigidity, and community without judgment.

Why FACTS Includes the 12-Step Recovery Program

Our goal at FACTS is long-term healing. We know that structure, accountability, and connection are essential components of maintaining well-being after treatment concludes. That’s why we include 12-Step addiction treatment in Florida as a key piece of care. 12-Step meetings are available worldwide, so no matter where life takes you after FACTS, you can continue your sobriety journey. Many clients continue attending meetings after leaving our care, finding them to be a vital part of their recovery, maintenance, and relapse prevention.

What to Expect During a 12-Step Meeting

Attending an Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous meeting for the first time can feel intimidating, but knowing what to expect can ease some of that anxiety. AA meetings are designed to provide a safe, nonjudgmental space for people who want to stop drinking and support others in their recovery journey. Meetings typically begin with a chairperson welcoming everyone and reading a few foundational texts, such as the AA Preamble, the 12 Steps, and the 12 Traditions.

Some meetings focus on open sharing, where attendees speak about their experiences with alcohol, recovery, and personal challenges. Others may involve reading and discussing AA literature or hosting a speaker who shares their story. Participation is voluntary; newcomers are never required to speak or share. Anonymity is a core principle; what is said in the meeting stays in the meeting.

The group usually ends by joining hands and reciting the Serenity Prayer or another closing affirmation. The atmosphere is often warm and supportive, filled with people at various stages of sobriety, from those just starting out to others with years of experience.

At FACTS, AA meetings are part of your treatment and offer support in a safe, structured setting. While formats may vary, the goal is the same: shared support and recovery. These meetings take place on-site with others on a similar path. You can expect a welcoming environment where sharing is encouraged but never required. There is no judgment or pressure, only respect and connection.

A Balanced Approach to Healing

At FACTS, we offer more than just 12-Step recovery. We provide a comprehensive, personalized approach to addiction and mental health treatment. Your plan will include individual therapy, group therapy, holistic services, and family support, all grounded in compassion and evidence-based care.

12 Step support is one tool among many, and we’ll work with you to find the path that fits your needs, beliefs, and recovery goals.

Take the Next Step with FACTS

If you’re looking for addiction treatment in Florida, you’ll find structure, support, and genuine care at Florida Atlantic Coast Treatment Solutions. Whether this is your first time in treatment or another try, we’re here to walk with you. Contact us today to discover how we integrate 12-Step recovery into our comprehensive, personalized treatment programs.

Looking for Addiction or Mental Health Treatment in Florida?

Find expert help for addiction and mental health at Florida Atlantic Coast Treatment Solutions. Start your journey today.