The A.A. 12 steps have long been associated with effective helping, both in terms of recovery from chemical addiction and increasing mental health. Historically there has also been a philosophical division between A.A. oriented substance abuse counselors and the rest of the helping professionals. The purpose of this article is to suggest and explore common ground by discussing the A.A. concepts of self-centeredness and avoidance as roots of addiction in relation to theoretical assumptions from some current, popular and well respected psychotherapies. The value of the discussion is threefold. First it offers substance abuse counselors knowledge and information by showing that these A.A. concepts are well grounded in commonly accepted mental health construct. Second, it provides other helping professionals and counselor trainers with greater knowledge, understanding, and respect for A.A. concepts as sound mental health principles. This, in turn, may prompt them to more readily recommend 12-step programs as viable treatment/therapeutic alternatives and adjuncts for their clients. Third, this discussion may help reduce the current schism between the substance abuse field and the helping profession community at large, as it shows the common mission shared by both, which is to help people reduce self-defeating behaviors, function productively and develop to their fullest potential. (Author/BF)