HOW is an acronym for Honesty, Open mindedness and Willingness that 12 step programs teach individuals so he or she may recover from addiction. It makes sense if he or she doesn’t get honest and admit to the problem which could be alcohol or drug abuse, eating disorders, gambling, sex addiction, smoking and the list goes on. Keeping an open mind allows him or her to remain teachable, if he or she continues to think they can control the addiction they are not open to change. And willingness allows him or her to do whatever is necessary to change the behaviors that continue the cycle of addiction.

Next is to ask yourself is going to a therapist 1 hour a week going to help me change my behaviors he or she has ingrained for years to develop the addiction in the first place. If he or she is honest with themselves the answer is no. Getting help with alcohol abuse, drug abuse and eating disorders requires major changes and new coping skills put in place to lay a firm foundation for success. Treatment programs are available for individuals who wish to ensure learning new life skills to deal with life without having to turn to the outside rather to work from the inside.

Once he or she has completed a treatment program then it would make sense to add support to maintain the new skill they have learned. This is how to maintain his or her recovery lifelong. 12 step programs are a resource while implementing individual therapy. The more support that he or she has in place, the better chance of success for continuing to grow and developing into the person he or she wishes to be.