 Across the US, and around the world, most drug treatment programs are patterned after the 12 Step model of recovery, originally developed by the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous. First presented to the public with the 1939 publication of AA's primary text (frequently referred to as the "Big Book"), these Steps collected the combined wisdom and experience of the earliest sober members of AA.
Growing from a small group of people in Ohio, who met in the homes of Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith (the program's founders), the effectiveness of the program soon became clear, as the number of sober alcoholics soon outgrew these home meetings. By the early 1950s, the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous numbered over 150,000 recovered men and women.
The success of the Twelve Step approach quickly attracted the attention of professionals in the field of treatment, and its tenets were adapted to treat other addictions. In 1953, Narcotics Anonymous was formed as a self-help fellowship, modeled on AA's structure. Its text, the "White Book," was published in 1962.
 Today, the number of Twelve Step drug rehab programs is virtually impossible to quantify, as the principles have been applied to help everyone from smokers to chronic clutterers. Far and away, these Steps have proven to be the most effective tools for treating the disease of addiction.
At their core, the twelve step drug rehab programs follow a simple approach, where members meet to share their experience, strength and hope with each other. These programs usually encourage newcomers to find a sponsor (simply a more experienced member), who can help them understand and use the tools of the program.
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