--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: With the 12-step program, if you don't…" description: "\"With the 12-step program, if you don't subscribe to that way of life completely, it can be seen as failing, and I think a lot of people can take the pa..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dbc/mae-martin-14626_i-think_with-the-12-step-program-if-you-don-t-su_1391679.jpg" --- # With the 12-step program, if you don't subscribe to that… ![“With the 12-step program, if you don't subscribe to that way of life completely, it can be seen as failing, and I think a lot of people can take the parts of that kind of program that they need and not other parts.” quote by Mae Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dbc/mae-martin-14626_i-think_with-the-12-step-program-if-you-don-t-su_1391679.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dbc/mae-martin-14626_i-think_with-the-12-step-program-if-you-don-t-su_1391679.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dbc/mae-martin-14626_i-think_with-the-12-step-program-if-you-don-t-su_1391679.jpg) > “With the 12-step program, if you don't subscribe to that way of life completely, it can be seen as failing, and I think a lot of people can take the parts of that kind of program that they need and not other parts.” [Mae Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-martin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Partial adoption of a program can be beneficial without full commitment. **In simple terms:** You can take useful parts without full commitment. Key Takeaway Select what works for you. Themes flexibility personal growth self‑help Mood thoughtful pragmatic Type advice reflective When to use this quote - self‑improvement - therapy - support groups Key Concepts addiction recovery personalization Questions to Reflect On - Which parts of a program truly help you? - How to balance commitment with personal needs? A Different Perspective Full adherence may be unrealistic for many. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Programming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/programming/) [Way of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way-of-life/) ## Related quotes > [I spent a year in a 12-step program, really committed, because I could not believe what had happened - that I might have killed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-fisher/i-spent-a-year-in-a-12-step-program-really-committed-because-i-could/) [Carrie Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-fisher/) > [“We create our own 12-Step program, every Step of the way. We create it piece by piece as we work our way through the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-cleveland/we-create-our-own-12-step-program-every-step-of-the-way-we-create-it/) Martha Cleveland > [We need a space program because we need explorers. Its in our souls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corbin-bernsen/we-need-a-space-program-because-we-need-explorers-its-in-our-souls/) [Corbin Bernsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corbin-bernsen/) > [If folks really want music in their community they can do it very cheaply. It doesn't have to be a $50 million program. All…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-miller/if-folks-really-want-music-in-their-community-they-can-do-it-very/) [Steve Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-miller/) > [“For all its God language, the Twelve Step program isn’t actually an attempt at religious conversion. Really, it just tries to bring us to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marya-hornbacher/for-all-its-god-language-the-twelve-step-program-isn-t-actually-an/) [Marya Hornbacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marya-hornbacher/) > [ While I'm doing \[writing\], I don't feel it.I don't think that's a failing. I think it's just a feature. Like, a feature of oneself. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/while-i-m-doing-writing-i-don-t-feel-it-i-don-t-think-that-s-a/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [Never think of the consequences of failing for you will always think of a negative result. Think only positive thoughts and your mind will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jordan/never-think-of-the-consequences-of-failing-for-you-will-always-think/) [Michael Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jordan/) > [We can't be afraid of failing. I think that's the biggest mistake I've seen Democrats make. We're always afraid of failing, so we don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruben-gallego/we-can-t-be-afraid-of-failing-i-think-that-s-the-biggest-mistake-i-ve/) [Ruben Gallego](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruben-gallego/) > [“The 12-step chocoholics program: Never be more than 12 steps away from chocolate!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-moore/the-12-step-chocoholics-program-never-be-more-than-12-steps-away-from/) [Terry Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-moore/) > [ I'll go through all of \[12 steps for people who say are traumatized by the election\], but a sample: Volunteer to fight Islamaphobia. Join… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tucker-carlson/i-ll-go-through-all-of-12-steps-for-people-who-say-are-traumatized-by/) [Tucker Carlson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tucker-carlson/) > [My spiritual system is 12-step programs. That's the only one I've ever had. I didn't have one before that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-earle/my-spiritual-system-is-12-step-programs-that-s-the-only-one-i-ve-ever/) [Steve Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-earle/) > [One of the 12 steps is to admit that you're powerless, but I think that's bullshit. I think it's important to empower yourself by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-cole-smith/one-of-the-12-steps-is-to-admit-that-you-re-powerless-but-i-think/) [Zachary Cole Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-cole-smith/) > [I used to think, "I can't go to these meetings because they'll make me believe in God. Make me go to church." I knew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bucky-sinister/i-used-to-think-i-can-t-go-to-these-meetings-because-they-ll-make-me/) [Bucky Sinister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bucky-sinister/) > [If you find a path with no obstacles, it likely leads nowhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-devrye/if-you-find-a-path-with-no-obstacles-it-likely-leads-nowhere/) [Catherine DeVrye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-devrye/) > [I talk to people who go to rehab, and they get this AA book that they've got to read everyday - really thick book.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reginald-arvizu/i-talk-to-people-who-go-to-rehab-and-they-get-this-aa-book-that-they/) [Reginald Arvizu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reginald-arvizu/) ## More by Mae Martin > [I love the comedy world and really grew up in green rooms, so I wanted to show the positives and negatives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-martin/i-love-the-comedy-world-and-really-grew-up-in-green-rooms-so-i-wanted/) [Mae Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-martin/) > [It's exhausting trying to impress someone and be a version of yourself that might be attractive to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-martin/it-s-exhausting-trying-to-impress-someone-and-be-a-version-of/) [Mae Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-martin/) > [Most people have had that feeling of like, being obsessed with someone, and losing self control a bit, and that hopefully humanises addiction a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-martin/most-people-have-had-that-feeling-of-like-being-obsessed-with-someone/) [Mae Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-martin/) > [I can't tell you how much money I waste on plaid shirts, whisky that I hate the taste of, and Moleskine notebooks that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-martin/i-can-t-tell-you-how-much-money-i-waste-on-plaid-shirts-whisky-that-i/) [Mae Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-martin/) > [Being on stage at the Soho Theatre is hard to beat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-martin/being-on-stage-at-the-soho-theatre-is-hard-to-beat/) [Mae Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-martin/) > [I formed a sketch troupe with two friends, started doing gigs, and dropped out of school shortly after to pursue it full time! Now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-martin/i-formed-a-sketch-troupe-with-two-friends-started-doing-gigs-and/) [Mae Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-martin/) > [I'm attracted to funny people with nice hands who smell good and are kind to people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-martin/i-m-attracted-to-funny-people-with-nice-hands-who-smell-good-and-are/) [Mae Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-martin/) > [I sort of thought acting was just about arranging your face into emotions. I didn't realise it was about actually allowing yourself to feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-martin/i-sort-of-thought-acting-was-just-about-arranging-your-face-into/) [Mae Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-martin/) > [I'm talking about personal stuff so I think people are on my side.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-martin/i-m-talking-about-personal-stuff-so-i-think-people-are-on-my-side/) [Mae Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-martin/) > [I don't have much time for the 'sad clown' thing. It's only associated with comedians because of the disparity between feeling like that and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-martin/i-don-t-have-much-time-for-the-sad-clown-thing-it-s-only-associated/) [Mae Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-martin/) > [What audiences see is a curated version of myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-martin/what-audiences-see-is-a-curated-version-of-myself/) [Mae Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-martin/) > [I'd love to write more observational comedy but the stuff people seem to respond to is the most personal so it's snowballed from there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-martin/i-d-love-to-write-more-observational-comedy-but-the-stuff-people-seem/) [Mae Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-martin/) > [If you never, or rarely, see your experience depicted in art or pop culture then you can begin to feel isolated or separate; Othered.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-martin/if-you-never-or-rarely-see-your-experience-depicted-in-art-or-pop/) [Mae Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-martin/) > [Watching comedy for the first time I felt absolutely on fire. I just couldn't believe there was this environment where people were being applauded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-martin/watching-comedy-for-the-first-time-i-felt-absolutely-on-fire-i-just/) [Mae Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-martin/) > [If I had met Bette Midler, I wouldn't be answering these questions right now because I'd have spontaneously combusted and gone to heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-martin/if-i-had-met-bette-midler-i-wouldn-t-be-answering-these-questions/) [Mae Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-martin/) [Explore all 46 Mae Martin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-martin/) ## More 12 step quotes > [I talk to people who go to rehab, and they get this AA book that they've got to read everyday - really thick book.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reginald-arvizu/i-talk-to-people-who-go-to-rehab-and-they-get-this-aa-book-that-they/) [Reginald Arvizu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reginald-arvizu/) > [If you find a path with no obstacles, it likely leads nowhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-devrye/if-you-find-a-path-with-no-obstacles-it-likely-leads-nowhere/) [Catherine DeVrye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-devrye/) > [I used to think, "I can't go to these meetings because they'll make me believe in God. Make me go to church." I knew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bucky-sinister/i-used-to-think-i-can-t-go-to-these-meetings-because-they-ll-make-me/) [Bucky Sinister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bucky-sinister/) > [One of the 12 steps is to admit that you're powerless, but I think that's bullshit. I think it's important to empower yourself by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-cole-smith/one-of-the-12-steps-is-to-admit-that-you-re-powerless-but-i-think/) [Zachary Cole Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-cole-smith/) > [My spiritual system is 12-step programs. That's the only one I've ever had. I didn't have one before that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-earle/my-spiritual-system-is-12-step-programs-that-s-the-only-one-i-ve-ever/) [Steve Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-earle/) > [ I'll go through all of \[12 steps for people who say are traumatized by the election\], but a sample: Volunteer to fight Islamaphobia. Join… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tucker-carlson/i-ll-go-through-all-of-12-steps-for-people-who-say-are-traumatized-by/) [Tucker Carlson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tucker-carlson/) > [“The 12-step chocoholics program: Never be more than 12 steps away from chocolate!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-moore/the-12-step-chocoholics-program-never-be-more-than-12-steps-away-from/) [Terry Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-moore/) > [ So you \[Nicholas Kristof\] have got this new column out, 12 steps for people who say are traumatized by the \[ Donald Trump\] election. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tucker-carlson/so-you-nicholas-kristof-have-got-this-new-column-out-12-steps-for/) [Tucker Carlson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tucker-carlson/) > [The 12-step chocolate program: NEVER BE MORE THAN 12 STEPS AWAY FROM CHOCOLATE!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-moore/the-12-step-chocolate-program-never-be-more-than-12-steps-away-from/) [Terry Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-moore/) > [“AA purports to be open to anyone, as it is stated in Tradition Tree, "The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/aa-purports-to-be-open-to-anyone-as-it-is-stated-in-tradition-tree/) [Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/) > [“Are you repeating someone else's narrative, taking it for granted? Talk therapy sessions and 12-step recovery shares help develop the ability to present a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-katehakis/are-you-repeating-someone-else-s-narrative-taking-it-for-granted-talk/) [Alexandra Katehakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-katehakis/) > [If you always do what you did, you'll always get what you got.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marian-diamond/if-you-always-do-what-you-did-you-ll-always-get-what-you-got/) Marian Diamond > [While in the clinic, I discovered I had problems with concentration, motivation, attitude, and temper. I have found a new way of life through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-belle/while-in-the-clinic-i-discovered-i-had-problems-with-concentration/) [Albert Belle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-belle/) > [I think 12-step programs really work, rehab really works, certain types of therapies and talking to other addicts really work. There are a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cheever/i-think-12-step-programs-really-work-rehab-really-works-certain-types/) [Susan Cheever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cheever/) > [I'm always looking for context in which people tell stories. In "Fight Club" it's these support groups for dying people, and then in "Choke"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/i-m-always-looking-for-context-in-which-people-tell-stories-in-fight/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) Browse all 28 12 step quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "With the 12-step program, if you don't subscribe to that way of life completely, it can be seen as failing, and I think a lot of people can take the parts of that kind of program that they need and not other parts.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mae Martin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-martin/with-the-12-step-program-if-you-don-t-subscribe-to-that-way-of-life/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "12 step" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-martin/with-the-12-step-program-if-you-don-t-subscribe-to-that-way-of-life/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dbc/mae-martin-14626_i-think_with-the-12-step-program-if-you-don-t-su_1391679.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dbc/mae-martin-14626_i-think_with-the-12-step-program-if-you-don-t-su_1391679.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dbc/mae-martin-14626_i-think_with-the-12-step-program-if-you-don-t-su_1391679.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“With the 12-step program, if you don't subscribe to that way of life completely, it can be seen as failing…” — Mae Martin", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Mae Martin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-martin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "With the 12-step program, if you...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-martin/with-the-12-step-program-if-you-don-t-subscribe-to-that-way-of-life/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-martin/with-the-12-step-program-if-you-don-t-subscribe-to-that-way-of-life/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```