| Foundational Philosophy | Secular 12-Step The original 12-step program - Founded 1935 — basis for all 12-step models
- Reliance on a 'Higher Power' as you understand it
- Spiritual but not religious framework
| 12-Step + Christian Modified 12-step with Christ as Higher Power - Uses AA's 12 steps with Christian language
- 8 Recovery Principles from Beatitudes
- Works within traditional recovery framework
| 12-Step + Christ Christ-centered 12-step program - Focuses on one God healing all struggles
- Reduces identification with sin/addiction
- Compatible with traditional recovery models
| Scripture Alone Biblical discipleship approach - Addiction as choices, not disease
- Sin problem requiring repentance
- Completely rejects 12-step model
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| Primary Focus | Alcohol addiction - Achieving and maintaining sobriety
- 'One day at a time'
- Peer support and sponsorship
| "Hurts, Habits, and Hang-ups" - Broad spectrum of struggles
- Only 1/3 are addiction-related
- Includes anxiety, codependency, abuse
- Sustainable recovery and healing
| All types of struggles - Any addiction, struggle, or hurt
- Full devotion to Christ in all areas
- Spiritual formation emphasis
- Breaking struggle identification
| Life-dominating sins - Addiction and destructive patterns
- Spiritual transformation over sobriety
- Christlike character development
- Living for God's glory
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| Program Structure | 12 Steps + 12 Traditions - Open and closed group meetings
- Sponsor relationship
- Working the steps
- No formal curriculum
| 12 Steps + 8 Principles - Large group with worship
- Small groups by issue/gender
- Step studies (like Bible studies)
- Standardized format required
| Modified 12-step format - Groundwork: 2-3 months
- Step Groups: 9-10 months
- Daily curriculum with spiritual formation
- Gender-specific groups
| Scripture-based curriculum - Multi-book progressive series
- Self-paced individual study
- Built around 2 Peter 1:5-7
- Testimony, prayer, small groups
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| Duration & Timeline | Lifelong / open-ended - No graduation or end date
- Attend meetings indefinitely
- 'Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic'
| Ongoing program - No specific end date
- Continuous recovery model
- Lifelong support group concept
- Weekly meetings indefinitely
| 12 months total - Groundwork: 2-3 months
- Step Groups: 9-10 months
- Daily curriculum: 10-30 min/day
- Weekly 2-hour meetings
| Intensive rescue operation - 1-2 years typically
- Not intended as lifelong program
- Goal is graduation to normal discipleship
- Self-paced progression
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| View of Addiction | A disease - Disease model of addiction
- Powerlessness over alcohol
- Chronic, progressive condition
| Struggle requiring recovery - Compatible with disease model
- Focus on managing behaviors
- Normalizes substance abuse
- Healing through steps and principles
| Struggle requiring healing - Accepts recovery terminology
- Compatible with AA/NA models
- Focus on breaking struggle identification
- Healing through biblical principles
| Sin requiring repentance - Choices, not disease
- Heart issue turning to creation vs. Creator
- Complete rejection of recovery terminology
- Freedom through biblical sanctification
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| Identity & Recovery | Lifelong recovering alcoholic - 'I'm an alcoholic' identity
- Always 'in recovery', never cured
- Sobriety counted in days/years
| Recovery identity maintained - Ongoing recovery mindset
- "In recovery" identity
- Continuous accountability partners
- Management of hurts/habits
| Modified recovery identity - Reduces sin/struggle identification
- Works within recovery framework
- Complements other 12-step programs
- Ongoing process mindset
| Complete freedom identity - No lifelong recovery label
- New identity in Christ
- Complete transformation possible
- Graduation from addiction identity
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| Theological Approach | Non-religious 'Higher Power' - Higher Power is undefined / individual
- Not Christ-specific
- Open to all beliefs or none
- Spiritual, not doctrinal
| Christian 12-step hybrid - Bible verses added to recovery steps
- Christ as specific Higher Power
- Recovery principles from Beatitudes
- Open to non-Christians (70% from outside church)
| Biblical discipleship + recovery - Christian principles in recovery model
- Inclusive of various spiritual backgrounds
- Healing through God's power
- Church-based but flexible
| Scripture-only foundation - Bible provides all answers for addiction
- Biblical counseling exclusively
- Must be local church-based
- Church as God's support group
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| Meeting Format | Peer-led group meetings - Shared personal stories
- Readings from the 'Big Book'
- The Serenity Prayer
- Sponsorship outside meetings
| Large group + Issue-specific small groups - Worship, teaching, testimonies
- Recitation of steps and serenity prayer
- Small groups by specific struggle
- Optional family dinners
| Large group + Small groups - Worship and testimonies
- Gender-specific small groups
- Structured curriculum progression
- 2-hour weekly commitment
| Community testimony + Small groups - Positive testimony time (what God has done)
- Prayer requests and group prayer
- Self-paced curriculum discussion
- Shared meals for relationship building
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| Cost & Accessibility | Free - No dues or fees — self-supporting
- Meetings nearly everywhere
- 'Big Book' ~$10
- Widely accessible
| Varies by location - No standard cost structure
- Bible + CR curriculum only
- Strict format requirements
- Available in 35,000+ churches
| $55 total for curriculum - $11 for Groundwork book
- $10-15 per step book (4 books)
- Financial assistance available
- No charge for meetings
| Varies by local chapter - Chapter-specific pricing
- Materials discount for chapters
- Church-funded model
- Focus on accessibility
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| Target Outcomes | Continuous sobriety - Abstinence from alcohol
- Managing the disease daily
- Helping other alcoholics
- Ongoing meeting attendance
| Sustainable recovery and healing - Freedom from hurts, habits, hang-ups
- Spiritual and emotional healing
- Accountability and support
- Jesus relationship development
| Freedom from struggles - Breaking cycle of addiction
- Spiritual growth and healing
- Community support and accountability
- Ongoing discipleship
| Reflecting Christ's image - Beyond sobriety to godliness
- Complete spiritual transformation
- Living for God's glory exclusively
- Graduation to normal church discipleship
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