The 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous Complete Guide

Willingness doesn’t mean we feel ready; it means we’re committed to doing what’s right, even when it feels uncomfortable. Working Step 5 effectively means sharing your moral inventory with someone who understands the process. I’ll never forget sharing my Step 5 on the rims of Billings, Montana, in my sponsor’s 1983 mailman Jeep.

The Experience Blog

The Big Book also outlines the Twelve AA principles, which are single words encompassing the virtues needed to pass each step. Each step centers around a phrase, many of them invoking the ideas of God or a “higher power” who guides the recovering addict in various facets of their journey into sobriety. Both Wilson and Smith found that The Oxford Group’s treatment of sin as a “disease” resonated in discussions of their struggles with alcohol. Founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Robert Smith, Alcoholics Anonymous has grown to include worldwide chapters, each devoted to helping people end their dependence on alcohol. Wilson, who was struggling with alcoholism, originally sought out help from a Christian organization, The Oxford Group.

What Are the Pros and Cons of the 12 Steps of AA?

It’s in this stage that we take our first honest look at the damage addiction has caused to our lives and our inability to stop because of it. We begin to consider the possibility of a new way of life—one where we are no longer running the show. Your email address is kept safe and confidential, never shared with anyone, and your subscription can be canceled or modified at any time. Taking action to apologize and make things right with those we’ve harmed, while being alcoholics anonymous mindful not to cause further harm, is crucial for closure. The continued awareness this demands makes it easy to pair the step with its accompanying principle.

Critiques and challenges of the approach

Admitting powerlessness in Step One is about recognizing that you cannot control your addiction on your own and that you need help. This step is crucial for recovery, as it acknowledges the impact of addiction on your life and opens the door to seeking support and making positive changes. The length of time it takes to complete the 12 steps of a recovery program can vary greatly depending on the individual and their circumstances. Some people may be able to work through the steps relatively quickly, while others may take months or even years to complete the process. It’s important to remember that recovery is a lifelong journey; the 12 steps are simply drug addiction treatment one part of that journey. You’ve worked your way through the entire process of growing and setting yourself up for success in sobriety, and now you have the opportunity to guide less experienced members through their own journey.

• The Big Book teaches that defects of character are the root causes of our addiction, and this step is about preparing to let them go, even when they feel familiar or comfortable.
• While this may be true, in the sense that the Twelve Steps represent an approach to living that is totally new for most alcoholics, many A.A.
• This proven path works because it addresses the core of addiction—self-centered fear, dishonesty, and resentment—by focusing on personal accountability, spiritual growth, and helping others.
• By following these steps, individuals can address the root causes of their addiction, develop healthier behaviors, and build a foundation for long-term recovery.

Step 9: “Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.”

• Step 7 asks us to approach God with the willingness to have our shortcomings removed, even if we aren’t fully sure how it will happen.
• The steps work best when followed thoroughly and honestly, as they are laid out in the Big Book.
• Humility, as described in the Big Book, is not about shame or self-deprecation—it’s about recognizing our need for help beyond our own strength.

I had never been that honest about my past, but the day after, I felt lighter, and the obsession to drink or used had lifted and has not returned in over seven years. Step 4 calls us to take an honest, fearless look at our past actions, thoughts, and patterns. It’s a fact-finding and fact-facing process where we uncover the exact nature of our wrongs without minimizing or justifying them. This step is about courage—examining where we’ve been, so we can begin the process of healing and transformation. It’s not about shame but truth, so we can clear the wreckage holding us back from freedom.

• This step fosters a deeper connection with your chosen higher power through practices like prayer or meditation.
• The key to AA’s success is the Twelve Steps – a structured program that helps individuals move from addiction to a meaningful life in recovery.
• The continued awareness this demands makes it easy to pair the step with its accompanying principle.
• You can help people who are affected by alcoholism by making a donation to the Cleveland District Office.
• If you’re looking for more support, contact American Addiction Centers (AAC).

How To Work the 2nd Step Effectively

When you’re humble, you’re cognizant of the fact that you’re not a major part of the bigger picture. Humility in daily practice means never seeing yourself as more important than you are. Here is a breakdown of the principles that match up with each step and how to practice them in a way that helps you create sustainable sobriety within the tenets of AA and NA.