The 12 Steps of AA Explained

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a worldwide fellowship of individuals who are currently facing or have faced issues with drinking alcohol. The community includes people of all races, creeds, and religions, as well as both professionals and non-professionals, from apolitical and self-supporting backgrounds. The fellowship was founded in 1935 by two individuals struggling with severe alcoholism who found they could maintain sobriety through mutual support. Alcoholism is not only a psychiatric disorder diagnosed as Alcohol Use Disorder, but also regarded as a disease that demands a long-term commitment to recovery. Therefore, the only requirement for membership is to stop drinking, attend fellowship meetings, and live according to the 12 steps of AA.

The 12 steps of AA serve as specific guidelines on the path to recovery. They are detailed yet simple enough for an alcoholic to understand and follow to control their lives. The first step for an individual is to admit they are powerless over their substance and that it has taken control of their life. For some, this is a challenging realization—acknowledging that their lives have become unmanageable and are affecting every aspect of their environment. Therefore, honesty about their situation is essential. The second step involves trusting or believing in a higher power greater than oneself. This belief often includes prayer, hope, and repetition to restore stability to their life. Hope is significant because the ultimate goal is recovery, making willpower a crucial factor in the process. The third step requires a more profound commitment—surrendering to recovery when everything else has broken down or become irreparable. In such moments, individuals turn to their higher power and seek support from the community as guidance. The fourth step is rooted in self-exploration, where the person creates a moral inventory of their past, including successes, mistakes, failures, regrets, and relationships that may need repair. This self-reflection involves analyzing past and present thoughts and feelings to prepare for the transition to the future. The fifth step centers on self-admission, where the person confesses to their higher power and a trusted person, often their sponsor, past wrongs caused by their substance use. This step involves openness and humility in admitting struggles. The sixth step involves a spiritual cleansing of character defects through the higher power, as the person becomes ready to eliminate negative behaviors and habits, shifting from a negative to a positive mindset. The first six steps help individuals discover a new way of life free from propositions, temptations, and potential relapses related to alcohol. There is no strict timeline for completing each step; the primary requirement is the individual's commitment to a life of positivity and sobriety.

The seventh step continues the process by addressing all shortcomings to create a healthier and more productive life. The eighth-step process involves referring to the inventory in step four, then listing every person who has been negatively affected and deserves an apology. It is important to note that each person is not required to accept the apology, but rather the amends serve as an offer of self-forgiveness. Therefore, if the apology is rejected, the alcoholic should not take it personally and should continue on their journey. The ninth step advances the process of self-forgiveness and encourages planning meetings with loved ones, family members, friends, and colleagues to make individual amends. The tenth step continues the act of making amends by emphasizing accountability without causing further harm or injury to others. The eleventh step involves growth as the individual seeks guidance from a higher power through prayer and meditation. Meditation is a vital tool that takes various forms, including mindfulness, Buddhist teachings through dharma practice, yoga, and relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises. Finally, the twelfth step involves self-evaluation of the entire journey through all previous steps, followed by passing the process forward by supporting others through sponsorship, mentorship, and fellowship. Sober recovery is rooted in honesty, respect, and forward-thinking. It is not only about understanding the stages of abstinence from alcohol but also entails a lifelong strategic transformation toward mental and physical fulfillment, ultimately leading to success.