member, or personal experience with some form of addiction
is very difficult. Professionals in the field of psychology can-
not avoid working with people who have been affected by
addiction. Consequently, clinicians must be familiar with the
largest, well-known, and accepted self-help group dealing
with addictions: 12-step programs.

The type of alienation existing in Western society today re-
sults in the need for hope, inspiration, and being touched emo-
tionally by another human being. Clients find these elements
in 12-step programs, which is one major reason for the growth
of these programs in the last twenty years. Although the initial
reason for attending a 12-step meeting is often to obtain infor-
mation on how to stop the addictive behavior, the draw to return
is usually the inspirational component of 12-step programs. It is
important for the clinician to conceptualize the addict as a person
who is experiencing alienation, confusion, and pain, and who is
looking for solace, hope, and a new direction for his/her entire
life, not just to change the addictive behavior.

The original 12-step program, Alcoholics Anonymous
(AA), was developed by Bill Wilson and Dr. Robert Smith in
1935. Both men were members of the Oxford Group, an or-
ganization which emphasized the development and applica-
tion of spiritual values in daily living. An alcoholic, Bill
Wilson attained sobriety as a member, and began working
with other alcoholics. Dr. Robert Smith, a fellow member of
the Oxford Group, joined Bill Wilson in this endeavor. Thus
the concept of combining a spiritual program with fellow ad-
dicts helping each other was born in the form of Alcoholics
Anonymous. All subsequent 12-step programs, developed
out of the AA model, are similarly structured. Al-Anon be-
gan in 1951, and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) in 1953. Addi-
tional programs, such as Adult Children Anonymous
(ACA), Overeaters Anonymous (OA), and Gamblers Anony-
mous (GA), were founded during the last twenty years.
While the programs developed in the 1980s and 1990s have
subtle differences, the core principles remain the same.

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