Redefining Step 1 of 12 Step Recovery, the serenity prayer, and the word god for LGBTQ clients seeking recovery from process and chemical dependencies

This article is written while keeping the LGBTQ community in mind as the primary demographic. However, it extends to anyone, regardless of sexuality or identity, who is struggling with religious trauma and guilt.

As an addiction counsellor, a fundamental challenge is facilitating community engagement in 12 step recovery programs, i.e., spiritual principles to recover from drugs and alcohol, for narcotics anonymous and crystal meth anonymous — global organizations helping drug addicts shift to a drug-free lifestyle. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that the LGTBQ community, to which I belong as well, isn’t truly accepted by any religion.

Many will claim that the 12 step recovery program isn’t religious but spiritual. Although, it has been deemed religious in certain areas of the United States because of the usage of the word god. That one word can lead to the disengagement of a participant and retrigger previous religious trauma for many. Therefore, it is important for clinicians to try redefining the word god and the concept of the serenity prayer further explained in the article. Alternatively, clinicians can explore options that are recovery focused.

Firstly, let’s look into religion and how it can provoke feelings of…