Alcoholics Anonymous: The 12 Steps Explained

→ You don’t keep the gift of sobriety by hoarding it. But this step is done thoughtfully. It’s also the beginning of healthy relationships. → The third step is about trust, not dogma.

Here, we’ll discuss each of the 12 steps of recovery as explained in the Big Book and used in AA meetings across the world. Some people require more intensive addiction treatment or may want to combine support groups with therapy, medication, or rehab. It can be a concept, the universe, the world around us, fate, karma, the recovery group itself, or anything the person using the 12-steps deems to be greater than themselves. The 12 step model has helped many people overcome addictions to drugs, alcohol, and other destructive behaviors. In reality, these programs only ask for people to identify some kind of ‘higher power’, and aren’t necessarily spiritual or religious in nature.

Alternatives to a 12-step program

Both programs emphasize community, consistency, and personal transformation. AA focuses on alcohol use disorder, while NA supports recovery from all types of substance use, including prescription and illicit drugs. While recovering from addiction, you should follow the 12 steps as they offer structured guidance, ensuring a clear and sequential approach to overcoming addiction while addressing its underlying issues. This step is about identifying and acknowledging the people you’ve hurt due to your addiction and being prepared to make things right with them.

However, true consideration for the program requires thoughtful responses and action steps. There is no set timeline for how long it should take a person to work through the 12 steps of AA. The same principles of anonymity and confidentiality apply to virtual meetings as they do to in-person gatherings. Once a person goes through the first nine steps, they may feel as though those steps are completed and don’t require any further examination. Reopening old wounds of the past can be intimidating for many people following the 12 steps.

AA members often emphasise to newcomers that only you can decide whether or not you are an alcoholic—no one else can make that determination for you. “Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics. These Steps emphasise honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness as essential elements for those seeking recovery.

Step 2Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

But for the program to work how it’s intended to, a person following the 12 steps must continue to revisit their previous steps, taking inventory and admitting to wrongs. If you choose a rehab program, then step three encourages you to turn your will over to the advice, treatment, and recovery guidelines of that program. The key in step two is accepting that you need help, which may mean help from friends, a sponsor, the program, a treatment program, or another higher power. The first step to recovery according to the Big Book is to admit that you are powerless over your decision to drink alcohol and that your life has become unmanageable.

Step 10: Recovery Maintenance

Instead, you should find your source of a “higher power” in other ways. When the how many steps are in aa book was originally published, this meant a belief in the Christian God. Access State-Specific Provider Directories for detailed information on locating licensed service providers and recovery residences in your area.

Step Eight: Willing To Make Amends

• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) offer peer-led support, structured 12-step programs, and a judgment-free community to help individuals achieve and maintain sobriety.
• When the book was originally published, this meant a belief in the Christian God.
• In the fifth step of recovery, a person must confess what they’ve done wrong.
• These include peer-reviewed journals, government entities and academic institutions, and leaders in addiction healthcare and advocacy.
• BAC does not provide referrals nor receive any commission or other fee that is dependent upon which treatment a visitor may ultimately choose.

This is often referred to as the “preamble” and is meant to reaffirm the values and principles of AA. They help with acceptance, introspection, moral discipline, and helping others overcome addiction. Today, researchers agree that there are aspects of addiction that reflect it as a disease that some are more susceptible to, especially if they have a family history of mental illness, addiction, or trauma. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.

You identify patterns and behaviors that have contributed to your addiction. Committing to change requires making a firm decision to turn your will and life over to the care of a higher power as you understand it. ✓ Real patient outcome tracking Success rates and recovery metrics, not just marketing claims.

Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to

Every step forward is a step toward a healthier, brighter future. No matter how deep the struggle feels, with support and the right tools, freedom from alcohol is within reach. There are people ready to help you on your journey to recovery.

To reap the benefits of the program, an individual in recovery needs to be ready to let go of old patterns (defects) and embrace newer, healthier ways of life. Again, here, “God” can refer to a person’s sponsor, support system, therapist, AA group, or other higher power. In the fifth step of recovery, a person must confess what they’ve done wrong. For many recovering from alcohol addiction, step four is an extremely painful and difficult process.

STEPS OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

This step involves seeking guidance and strength from your higher power to overcome weaknesses and develop healthier habits. Perfect for meetings, sponsorship work, or personal reflection. They’re also widely used alongside addiction treatment and mental health conditions today. AddictionResource.net, and its parent company Recovery Guide LLC, is not a treatment provider and does not offer medical advice or clinical services. It’s not easy to uncover difficult emotions and create real steps toward recovery, so the 12 steps are not meant to be done quickly.

• The 12 step model has helped many people overcome addictions to drugs, alcohol, and other destructive behaviors.
• Though they are meant to be addressed in sequential order, there is no correct way to take on each step and the order is often down to the individual’s current position and mindset.
• The word god was at one point replaced with ‘Higher Power’ so as to not alienate those without religious beliefs.
• All Addiction Resource content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.

What are 12 Steps of AA and NA recovery?

You seek through prayer and meditation to improve your conscious contact with your higher power, praying only for knowledge of its will for you and the power to carry that out. You make direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when doing so would injure them or others. Make a list of all persons you have harmed and become willing to make amends to them all. It’s about being willing and open to letting go of negative behaviors and attitudes that hold you back from recovery.

You do not need to pursue religion, pray, or believe in God to embrace the second step of recovery. If you don’t believe in a higher power, do not skip the second step. Today, “faith” can extend to other beliefs, including a belief in the 12-step program. In step two, members are encouraged to turn toward a higher power and accept that they need help. The book recounts many different stories from men who’ve experienced the sway of alcohol and lack of control when the substance is involved.

The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous offer a transformative approach to recovery, built around personal responsibility, healing, and growth. The success of the AA program largely comes from the unique ability of sober alcoholics to connect with and support those struggling with drinking. The 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous are a set of spiritual principles that emerged from the practical experience of early members who found sobriety by helping each other. Take the first step toward recovery with peace of mind, knowing exactly what your plan covers. For those seeking addiction treatment for themselves or a loved one, our calls are confidential and are available for 24/7 help.

If you or someone you love need help overcoming an addiction to alcohol, you’re not alone. If you’re working through them now, or plan to do so, do not rush through the 12 steps. Online AA meetings follow the same format as in-person meetings. These online meetings allow people to attend from anywhere with an internet connection.

At this stage, all a person is doing is creating a list, and no confrontation is involved yet. Individually or with your sponsor, take account of anyone you’ve wronged when abusing drugs or alcohol. Step seven furthers this theme of humility by asking participants to commit to honesty and humility throughout their recovery. This is a stage of release when a person readies themselves to be rid of all “defects of character.” Though painful, this step is intended to relieve them of guilt and burdens weighing them down.

Calling the number is free and confidential, but treatment services may involve costs depending on your insurance coverage and the level of care required. When you call the number listed on this ad, your call will be answered by Treatment X, a licensed addiction treatment provider and paid advertiser on AddictionResource.net. These include peer-reviewed journals, government entities and academic institutions, and leaders in addiction healthcare and advocacy.