Why This Book?

In Trauma and the 12 Steps, Dr. Jamie Marich offers a groundbreaking reimagining of the traditional 12-Step recovery model — one that honors trauma, centers safety, and makes space for every kind of survivor. Originally published in 2012 and expanded in its updated edition, this book offers an inclusive, non-shaming approach for people who want to heal from addiction without abandoning themselves in the process. Whether you’ve felt misunderstood in traditional recovery communities or simply want a more compassionate framework, this book offers a path forward rooted in dignity, voice, and choice.

Who It’s For

• Trauma survivors exploring or engaged in 12-Step recovery
• Individuals who feel alienated by traditional, rigid, or spiritualized versions of the Steps
• Therapists, sponsors, or recovery advocates seeking a trauma-informed perspective on addiction healing

Big Takeaways

• Many people in recovery carry trauma — and the 12 Steps must be approached through that lens to avoid re-traumatization.
• You can engage with the Steps in a way that honors your truth, your nervous system, and your pace.
• Recovery does not require spiritual bypassing, perfectionism, or shame — it requires safety, connection, and care.

How It Can Help

Trauma and the 12 Steps is a lifeline for anyone who wants the structure of a 12-Step model without the rigidity, judgment, or retraumatizing language that often accompanies it. Dr. Marich gently invites survivors to make the Steps their own — to filter them through mindfulness, self-awareness, and body wisdom. This book empowers readers to recover not just from addiction, but from shame itself.

Additional Notes or Warnings

• Gently explores themes of substance use, trauma history, dissociation, and spiritual harm.
• Written in inclusive language — affirming of LGBTQ+ identities, varying belief systems, and diverse recovery paths.
• Works beautifully alongside the companion Workbook (also by Marich).