Addiction and Rehabilitation

12-step programs is a treatment plan that was developed by Alcoholics Anonymous to address addictions to drug use. The Alcoholics Anonymous established the 12 steps to overcome addiction to drug use, and other addiction support groups were formed and created their own 12 steps. Other 12-step programs include; Narcotics Anonymous, Celebrate Recovery, Cocaine Anonymous, Heroin Anonymous and more (Gallas, 2003). The founder of the 12-spets program came from the Oxford Group Movement; a movement that taught people to confess their sins and spread the religious message. Even though the groups are religious, it does not support or force people to follow the religious doctrines, but it teaches people to follow their religious doctrines. The twelve-step programs participate in recovery support process to assist the individuals to recover from addiction. The 12-step programs from the various support groups such as the Alcoholism Anonymous believe that people are unable to manage their lives but, moral inventory, personal inventory and spiritual awakening would remove the defects (Gallas, 2003)..

 However, the court believes that the 12-steps programs have drawbacks. The court argue that the 12-Step programs are religious and the Alcoholism Anonymous does not focus on helping individuals cope with addiction but it tends to proselytize (convert the individuals from own religion to another). The support group was founded from a monotheistic religion where they believe on all-powerful God. The problem with the programs is that they have developed the unconstitutional establishment of religion and violated the Establishment Clause (Gallas, 2003)..  The court argues that individuals are forced to join religious practices, and this is a violation of First Amendment human right to religious activities.

 

            Fiorentine (1999) states that the 12-Steps programs have shown an extraordinary rise and, have given rise to conventional treatment. Various studies show that individuals who participate in 12-step programs maintain abstinence within 6month, 12-month and 1 to 2 years period.  The data that shows the effectiveness of the 12-step programs is derived from the Los Angeles metropolitan areas through a longitudinal assessment. The findings from the study showed that individuals who participated in 12-step programs reported the low level of alcohol use.  Overall, individuals experienced drug and alcohol abstinence within 6-month (Fiorentine, 1999). For example, only 27% participants used abused drug compared to 44% who did not participate in the 12-step program.  Precisely, 32% of participants abused alcohol in 6months compared to 61% of those who never participated (Fiorentine, 1999). In 24-month follow up, only 4% of participants drank alcohol compared to 13% of non-attenders. The finds show the effectiveness of the 12-step program in that those who participated in the 12-step program reported  drug and alcohol abstinence.

Initially, the 12-step programs were designed to help those with addictions but, they are also appropriate to rehabilitate a probationer. Note that the programs use therapeutic approach elements where they assist the offenders with social and psychological change (Gallas, 2003. The importance of 12-Step programs for probationers is to offer practices and beliefs and help the offenders live an abstinent lifestyle.  Parolees and probationers may be suffering from anxiety and depression and, the support groups will play a significant role in providing the ex-offenders will long-term recovery.  In general, offenders who are not addicts also need the 12-steps programs to provide psychological interventions and help offender lead meaningful lives (Gallas, 2003).

              The act of removing the problem that causes terrible behaviors might not deter the crime. This is supported by the rational choice theory which states that offenders make the decision and decides to commit a crime to benefit themselves. In committing a crime, the offender must have rational choices and routine activities and consider both risks and reward. In other words, deviance is a purposeful behavior and criminals choose to behave in a certain way (McLaughlin & Muncie, 2005)

 

 

 

 

 

References

 

McLaughlin, E., & Muncie, J. (2005). The Sage dictionary of criminology. London: SAGE.

 

Fiorentine, R. (1999). After drug treatment: Are 12-step programs effective in maintaining

abstinence?. American Journal Of Drug & Alcohol Abuse, 25(1), 93.

 

Gallas, E. M. (2003). Endorsing religion: Drug courts and the 12-step recovery support program. Am. UL

Rev., 53, 1063.