If anyone has participated in 12 step programs, can you share any thoughts? Or if you have information about them even if indirect, or other.

For quick reference for anyone who is not familiar with these programs:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve-Step_Program

Personally, I am looking into 12 step programs specifically Debtor Anonymous (spending and money problems), Codependency Anonymous, Al-Anon (family or friends of alcoholics or addicts), and possibly others. Separately I have known a lot of people addicted to drugs and alcohol (mostly alcoholics, but also in more recent years, various types of illegal drugs). I have also known of people with various types of behavior issues, not limited to suspected gambling problems and sex addiction issues.

In the last 20 years, I have gone to a few different meetings for myself, but mostly limited to only 1 or 2 at a time. I have not truly understood the "12 Steps" and I know that 'working' the steps are critical to anyone struggling with the issue at hand. In my case, I believe I have a lot of healing and recovery issues in many ways and believe that the elements of these programs can be part of a sort of cognitive-behavioral self-work.

Thoughts and tips?

Thank you.

Lois Carmen D.

	Never participated in 12 Steps Progs.
	Have participated in the past: no interest, not current
	Have participated, interested, but not current
	Currently participating
	Not applicable, don't know about it, other

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