Exhibit 6-712-Step Group Values and the Culture of Recovery

For historical reasons, cultures of recovery (like the recovery process in general) in the United States have been greatly influenced by 12-Step groups such as AA and NA (White 1998). These groups provide a clearly defined culture of recovery for a great many people. They provide members with a set of rituals, daily activities, customs, traditions, values, and beliefs.

The 12 Steps and 12 Traditions represent the core principles, values, and beliefs of such groups. Wilcox (1998) defines these values as surrender; faith; acceptance, tolerance, and patience; honesty, openness, and willingness; humility; willingness to examine character defects; taking life one day at a time; and keeping things simple. As seen by comparing these values with those common to the heroin culture described in the “The Values and Beliefs of a Heroin Culture” box earlier in this chapter, one of the ways in which 12-Step groups work is by instilling a set of values contrary to those found in drug cultures. However, they also provide members with a new set of values that are in some ways distinct from the values of the mainstream culture that were rejected when the individual began his or her involvement in the drug culture (Wilcox 1998).

Many of the values of AA and other 12-Step groups are embodied in rituals that take place in meetings and in members' daily lives. White (1998) lists four ritual categories:

• Centering rituals help members stay focused on recovery by reading recovery literature, handling recovery tokens or symbols, and taking regular self-assessments or personal inventories each day.
• Mirroring rituals keep members in contact with one another and help them practice sober living together. Attending meetings, telling one's story, speaking regularly by phone, and using slogans (e.g., “keep it simple,” “pass it on”), among others, are mirroring activities.
• Acts of personal responsibility include being honest and becoming time-conscious and punctual. Activities include the creation of new rituals of daily living related to sleeping, hygiene, and other areas of self-care while also being reliable and courteous.
• Acts of service involve performing rituals to help others in recovery. These acts are related to the Twelfth Step, which directs members to carry the message of their spiritual awakening to others who abuse alcohol or are dependent on it, thereby encouraging them to practice the 12 Steps. Acts of service recognize that people in recovery have something of value to offer those still abusing alcohol.

These rituals aid the processes of personal transformation and integration into a new cultural group.