LIB 14: The Twelve Steps
What is the first step of the 12 Steps?
Admitting powerlessness over alcohol or substances and that life has become unmanageable.
What does MAT stand for?
Medication-Assisted Treatment.
What is a self-help group?
A peer-led group where members share experiences and support each other’s recovery.
What does “recovery” mean in substance use treatment?
A process of change to improve health, wellness, and quality of life.
What has to be broken before you can use it?
An egg.
Which step involves making a moral inventory of ourselves?
Step 4.
Name one common medication used in MAT for opioid use disorder.
Methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone
Name one major difference between therapy and self-help groups.
Therapy is professionally led; self-help groups are peer-led.
What is one of the four major dimensions of recovery?
Health, home, purpose, or community.
I’m tall when I’m young and short when I’m old. What am I?
A candle.
In which step do members make direct amends wherever possible?
Step 9.
True or False: MAT and 12-Step programs cannot be used together.
False – they can complement each other when properly integrated.
What is the key principle of anonymity in self-help groups?
Protecting confidentiality and equality among members.
What is the difference between abstinence and recovery?
Abstinence is not using; recovery involves personal growth and well-being.
The more you take, the more you leave behind. What am I?
Footsteps
What is the primary purpose of working the 12 Steps?
To achieve spiritual and emotional growth leading to recovery.
What is one common concern traditional 12-Step members may have about MAT?
That it replaces one drug with another.
Give an example of a non–12 Step self-help group.
SMART Recovery, Celebrate Recovery, LifeRing, Women for Sobriety.
What does relapse prevention focus on?
Recognizing triggers, building coping skills, and maintaining progress.
What comes once in a minute, twice in a moment, but never in a thousand years?
The letter “M.”
What does Step 12 emphasize after spiritual awakening?
Carrying the message to others and practicing principles in all affairs.
How can counselors bridge MAT and 12-Step philosophies?
By educating about medication as a tool for recovery, not a substitute for it.
Why are self-help groups considered an important part of aftercare?
They provide ongoing peer support, accountability, and relapse prevention.
What is a sponsor’s role in 12-Step recovery?
To guide and support a newcomer through the Steps.
What belongs to you, but others use it more than you do?
Your name.