The Alternative 12 Steps

By Roger C.

This is a truly remarkable book.

The first edition of The Alternative 12 Steps – A Secular Guide to Recovery was originally published almost 35 years ago, in 1991. And, to the best of my knowledge, it is the very first secular (“non-Godly”) version of the 12 Steps ever published.

It was written and published by two women, Martha Cleveland and Arlys G. Of course, neither of them accept the “God” in the traditional 12 Steps. But the 12 Steps are important to both of them. As Martha puts it: “The map that helps me most as I search for a serene self is the 12-Step program. It has become the cornerstone of my emotional growth and my spiritual life. Yet there is one big problem – and that problem is ‘God’… Theologically I am an atheist.”

Arlys says much the same: “When I was six years old I knew there was no God. Instinctively I knew that God or no God made no difference… I solved my problem by rewriting the Steps, leaving out references to God. It worked, and the program opened up for me. Rewriting the Steps gave me the freedom to work my program in a way that is vital and self-respecting. My Steps are truly my own.”

Now, here is their version of the 12 Steps (and each one is very well discussed and explained in the book):

1. Admit that we are powerless over other people, random events and our own persistent negative behaviors, and that when we forget this, our lives become unmanageable.

2. Came to believe that spiritual resources can provide power for our restoration and healing.

3. Made a decision to be open to spiritual energy as we take deliberate action for change in our lives.

4. Search honestly and deeply within ourselves to know the exact nature of our actions, thoughts and emotions.

5. Will talk to another person about our exact nature.

6. Be entirely ready to acknowledge our abiding strength and release our personal shortcomings.

7. Work honestly, humbly and courageously to develop our assets and to release our personal shortcomings.

8. List all people we have harmed, including ourselves, and be willing to make amends to them all. Be willing to forgive those who have harmed us.

9. Whenever possible, we will carry out unconditional amends to those we have hurt, including ourselves, except when to do so would cause harm.

10. Continue to monitor ourselves, to acknowledge our successes and quickly correct our lapses and errors.

11. Increasingly engage spiritual energy and awareness to continue to grow in abiding strength and wisdom and in the enjoyment of life.

12. Practice the principles of these Steps in all our affairs and carry the 12-Step message to others.

And here is a comment by Martha and Arlys: “As 12-Step practitioners, we believe in the 12-Step program. We believe it can work for anyone. Our objective is to help non-religious people accept the healing power of the Steps. This is the same program, same principles, same values, same scope, same depth – all of it said in a little different language. We have extracted the actions and principles of the original Steps and put them into a secular context.”

This is one of my all-time favourite books! As I mentioned earlier it was originally published in 1991 and I published the second edition in 2014. Of course, it’s available on Amazon and in many other places. For a bit more information about the book and where it can be purchased, click here: The Alternative 12 Steps – A Secular Guide to Recovery.