Thanks emc. I understand that there is a difference between addictive behavior and normal behavior, but I thought I understood the theme of the thread to be that the 12 step program could be useful in the sense of clearing out behavior that might not be classified as addictive, but might still be representative of underlying blockages.
Hi NJL,
I think that the steps can be applied to other “non-addictive” behaviors as well. Really, the steps operate in a samyama-like way. Identify defects/obstructions/blockages, and ask God to remove them. Stillness in action. The presence of pure bliss consciousness begins to eradicate negative karmic tendencies so that a more evolved being can come forth.
Also, as an addict, it’s important for me to direct that compulsive, addictive energy to a higher ideal (ishta). This methodology has worked tremendously in my favor in the last couple years–and “my favor” means an abiding posture of surrender to divine flow, not of selfish or egotistical aggrandizement.
Also, having experienced some deep shades of ecstatic bliss, I now know it’s possible to transcend, surpass, and leave chemically-induced states in the dust. Once you verify through direct experience that divine intoxication blows alcohol/drugs out of the water, then there’s no more doubt. The only question that remains is: how do I get more of THAT (divine love, ecstatic bliss, a propulsion to be of natural service)?. And once you discover that a pure and clean nervous system is what’s required, all habits, behavior, and efforts will fall in line with achieving that condition (with no ceiling in sight).
Raise the roof, raise the roof, raise it high. 
The first time I used 12-steps was actually on my inability to keep my house kleen. The mess had control over me, I could not on a regular basis keep tidy. I did all steps thoroughly. Made amends to my mom who had been doing my dishes more than once, to my friends who had to find dirty laundry on the chairs when they came to visit, etc. It worked in a magical way! My flat was so clean for about 6 months, when I actively used this method. (And this was before my spiritual awakening). Then I relaxed a bit about it, but it still created a new mindset about cleaning in me, that sticks.
I just wanted to chime in and say the 12 steps worked for me. Before I was into yoga, lets just say I got lost in hallucinogenics, and alcohol for a good 10 years I got to a point of complete powerlessness with my addictions, I lived in make believe worlds and at one point thought alcohol was a shamanistic elixir and my medicine. I ended up in trouble with the courts and was forced to face my addictions head on. Through the 12 steps, lots of 90 meetings in 90 days, two half way houses and many many relapses I was finally able to stop poisoning myself (just for today) and I do believe the steps saved my life.
Thank you all (Yogani special thanks} from this soul. Will breathe air soon. As I’m sure some have felt. Thank you and thank you again for this site!
I found the book, “When Society Becomes an Addict” by Anne Wilson Schaef (1988) very helpful, to take blame and dispair with ourselves and see our attachments/addictions in new light, on many levels, taught, conditioned and supported by institutions and other people in positions of authority in our culture.
The objective of any 12 step program is to give away out of habit, yet in addition to assisting the person with building a decent life in recovery. It is a spiritual way that expects individuals to have confidence in a higher power, although they are allowed to characterize this as they see fit. Projects dependent on these steps are currently accessible to treat pretty much every kind of issue. The 12 steps are the reason for the best network-based self-improvement program ever. This kind of answer for enslavement doesn’t appear to work for everybody, except it very well may be exceptionally viable.