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Dr. Adrian Hickmon, Ph.D

12-Step Fellowships, including resources like Celebrate Recovery, are very helpful for some of our graduates, especially in their first couple of years after graduation. As a Christ-centered program, Capstone uses the AA 12 Steps from a Christian perspective. The 12 Steps process follows the Beatitudes, beginning with “Blessed are the poor in spirit” (Step 1), all the way to the Great Commission, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20). The 12 Steps are basically a Biblical way of looking at yourself in the mirror, seeing what needs to be different and then working on those changes with the support of a group of people who are in the same process – especially a good sponsor. The foundation of Capstone’s Core-Systems Model is “The truth will set you free,” which is also a foundational component in the 12 Steps. It’s like having a support group of mirrors that reflect the truth about each other. Building relationships is the most powerful way to heal and build a healthy brain –filling the same void that addiction fills, but in a beneficial way rather than a destructive one. Relationships also provide a foil: “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17). These two Biblical principles are vital to learning how to live well with an addiction.

Celebrate Recovery 12 Steps

1. We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable.
   • “I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” Romans 7:18 NIV
2. We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
   • “For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” Philippians 2:13 NIV
3. We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God.
   • “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” Romans 12:1 NIV
4. We made a searching and fearless honest inventory of ourselves.
   • “Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” Lamentations 3:40 NIV
5. We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our hurts, hang-ups and habits.
   • “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” James 5:16a NIV
6. We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. 
   • “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:10 NIV
7. We humbly asked Him to remove all our shortcomings.
   • “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 NIV
8. We made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. 
   • “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31 NIV
9. We made direct amends to such people whenever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. 
   • “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23-24 NIV
10. We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
    • “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” 1 Corinthians 10:12 NIV
11. We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us, and power to carry that out.
    • “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” Colossians 3:16a NIV
12. Having had a spiritual experience as the result of these steps, we try to carry this message to others and practice these principles in all our affairs.
    • “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore them gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.” Galatians 6:1 NIV

What Makes the Celebrate Recovery 12 Steps Effective

In writing about Celebrate Recovery, Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life and pastor of Saddleback Church, shares some thoughts that are helpful in understanding the needs for this type of aftercare. Warren says:

“You’ve undoubtedly heard the expression that ‘time heals all wounds.’ Unfortunately, it isn’t true. As a pastor I frequently talk with people who are still carrying hurts from 30 or 40 years ago. The truth is – time often makes things worse. Wounds that are left untended fester and spread infection throughout your entire body. Time only extends the pain if the problem isn’t dealt with.”

“What we need is a biblical and balanced program to help people overcome their hurts, habits and hangups. Celebrate Recovery is that program. Based on the actual words of Jesus rather than psychological theory, our recovery program is unique, and more effective in helping people change than anything else I’ve seen or heard of. Over the years I’ve witnessed how the Holy Spirit has used this program to transform literally thousands of lives at Saddleback Church and help people grow toward full Christ-like maturity.”

Warren goes on to say that his own personal study of recovery in the scriptures showed him that the principles of recovery and their logical order were given by Jesus Christ during the Sermon on the Mount in the Beatitudes.

As a part of our aftercare program, Capstone encourages graduates to participate in Celebrate Recovery or another 12-Step Fellowship when it is a fit with that individual. While at Capstone, clients experience a 12-Step meeting three times per week, led by clients. With a Christian 12 step program and other approaches, Capstone helps its clients face and work through a wide range of hurts, struggles, compulsions, addictions and other self-destructive behaviors. Professional excellence in a Christ-centered environment is what makes us unique and effective.

Capstone is a top rated residential treatment center for young men. We focus on helping young men ages 18-28 and teens ages 14-17 who struggle with self-destructive behaviors, mental health struggles, and compulsive behaviors. Get in touch today to learn more about our expert team and our approach to helping young men overcome their hurts.  Learn how we can help you here.