The first step of the twelve-step facilitation (TSF) program is acceptance, which means that an addict learns that he or she is powerlessness. According to Nowinski, Baker, and Carroll (1998), the intervention is introduced during the second session. During the first stage of the intervention, the client accepts that he has a problem with alcohol (Nowinski, 2012). The second phase makes the patient realize that the continuous use of alcohol is gradually making life more difficult (Nowinsk, 2012). During the final stage, an addict learns to understand that he or she can no longer control the addictive behavior (Nowinski, 2012).
Judging from these steps, it may be concluded that the participants of the TSF program do not accept universal powerlessness; instead, they admit that they do not have the power over alcohol misuse. According to Nowinski (2012), clients learn to stop playing God and admit that they cannot stop drinking alcohol at any time.
There are several strategies suggested by the TSF therapy manual designed by Nowinski et al. (1998). First, the participants are offered to reflect upon the concept of powerlessness over alcohol be asking what feelings do they have about the statement. The clients are to be asked to give an example of how people can be powerless and relate to the issue by reflective upon the circumstances that made them feel powerless in the past (Nowinski et al., 1998).
Second, therapists are recommended to talk about denial explaining its forms and consequences (Nowinski et al., 1998). The clients should learn about refusing to face facts, minimization, avoidance, blaming, bargaining, and rationalizing (Nowinski et al., 1998). These two strategies can be helpful for finding comfort in the fact that they are not alone, and many other people have come through the same issues.
References
Nowinski, J. (2012). Facilitating 12-step recovery from substance abuse. Treating substance abuse: Theory and Technique, 3, 191-223.
Nowinski, J., Baker, S., & Carroll, K. (1998). Twelve step facilitation therapy manual. Web.