The 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous | Complete Guide

The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous were introduced in the 1939 Big Book as a spiritual program designed to help those struggling with substance abuse find freedom and healing. The twelve step model has since transformed millions of lives, guiding people through personal recovery by emphasizing spiritual awakening, self-examination, and helping others. When followed as written in the Big Book and worked with a sponsor, the Twelve Steps have proven to be a powerful path to lasting sobriety and emotional healing.

As someone who has personally experienced the power of the Twelve Steps, I can attest to their effectiveness in helping addicts and alcoholics achieve long-term recovery. These steps are not just suggestions—they are a roadmap for profound change, rooted in spiritual principles like making conscious contact with God and taking honest personal inventory.

At Recovered On Purpose, one of the ways we help others find freedom from addiction is by providing support and guidance for those on their 12 Step journey. Throughout this page, you’ll find helpful resources and additional content designed to deepen your understanding of the Twelve Steps and support your personal recovery. Explore the tools shared here to take meaningful steps toward lasting sobriety and spiritual awakening.

Understanding the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous

The Twelve Steps were developed as a structured guide to help addicts and alcoholics break free from the cycle of substance abuse. Introduced in the 1939 Big Book, they outline a series of spiritual actions designed to promote deep personal change and long-term sobriety. The focus is not on religious practices but on universal spiritual principles like honesty, accountability, and selflessness, empowering those in recovery to rebuild their lives.

The steps offer a clear path for personal transformation, that can be divided into four progressive stages of growth:

Surrender (Steps 1-3)

Surrender begins when we stop fighting the truth that we cannot control our drinking or drug use. These steps guide us to fully admit our powerlessness over drugs and alcohol and become open to the idea that we can recover through a power greater than ourselves and following a few simple directions.

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.

Self-Examination & Confession (Steps 4-5)

This stage challenges us to get completely honest with ourselves, God, and another person about the patterns of our past. By writing a fearless moral inventory, we uncover the exact nature of our wrongs, including unresolved resentments, fears, and harms we’ve caused.

Sharing this truth aloud, no matter how uncomfortable, frees us from the burdens we’ve been carrying and helps us face the reality of our actions with courage and humility.

Transformation & Amends (Steps 6-9)

Transformation is where we begin to experience real freedom from the patterns that drove our addiction. These steps guide us to become entirely ready for God to remove the defects of character we uncovered in the previous steps.

As we make direct amends to those we have harmed, we not only clear the wreckage of our past but also begin to live differently. This stage is where real healing happens—not just for us, but for those we’ve hurt along the way.

Maintenance & Service (Steps 10-12)

The final stage helps us stay spiritually fit and continue growing long after we’ve experienced initial freedom from addiction. We learn to take daily personal inventory, promptly admit when we’re wrong, and stay connected to God through prayer and meditation. But we don’t stop there—these steps call us to carry this message to others, ensuring the same life-changing freedom we’ve found is shared with those still struggling.

This process is designed to guide us not only out of addiction but into a life of purpose, integrity, and personal recovery.

Steps One, Two and Three – Letting Go of Control

Step 1: “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.”

Step 1 is where our journey toward freedom begins. It asks us to get honest with ourselves about the grip addiction has on our lives. Admitting powerlessness is not about weakness—it’s about recognizing the truth so we can finally stop fighting and start healing. This step opens the door to real, lasting recovery.

What The First Step Means

The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous explains that we suffer from a mental obsession that drives us to take the first drink or drug, despite the pain it brings. Once we do, a physical allergy kicks in, triggering the phenomenon of craving that make stopping nearly impossible. Unmanageability isn’t just chaos around us—it’s the inability to control our thoughts, actions, and emotional stability; the spiritual malady of the alcoholic and addict.

How To Work the 1st Step Effectively

Working Step 1 means fully admitting we have no control over our drinking or drug use. True surrender begins when we stop justifying our behavior and face the truth—alone, we are powerless. I remember promising myself I’d stop countless times, yet nothing changed until I admitted complete defeat. Honesty opens the door to healing, and sharing this truth with someone who understands makes all the difference.

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

Step 2 invites us to believe that recovery is possible, even when we feel hopeless. It’s not about religion or forcing specific beliefs—it’s about becoming open to the idea that something greater than us can help where we’ve failed on our own. This step calls us to let go of our old way of thinking and embrace the possibility of freedom from addiction.

What The Second Step Means

The Big Book describes “sanity” in Step 2 as being restored from the mental obsession—the irrational thinking that drives us back to substances despite knowing the harm they cause. It’s not about perfection but freedom from the destructive cycle of addiction. This step isn’t asking us to define or understand a Higher Power fully, only to become open to the idea that help exists beyond our own strength. Whether we call it God, nature, or spiritual principles, the focus is on spiritual openness, not religious doctrine.

How To Work the 2nd Step Effectively

Step 2 begins with a willingness to believe that change is possible. The Big Book emphasizes being open-minded and setting aside preconceived judgments about spirituality. Many of us find this belief by witnessing others in recovery who once felt just as lost but now live with peace and purpose. I didn’t have it all figured out when I started, but when I saw people staying sober and free, I was willing to trust the process—and you can too, no matter what you believe in.

Step 3: “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.”

Step 3 is where we make a life-changing decision—fully surrendering control over our will and our lives to the care of God as we understand Him. This is the pivotal moment where we stop fighting, stop trying to manage everything on our own, and trust that a power greater than us can guide our recovery. It’s a decision to let go of self-will and begin living by spiritual principles that lead to freedom.

What The Third Step Means

Step 3 isn’t about perfection—it’s about making a choice to trust something beyond ourselves for guidance. The Big Book emphasizes “God as we understood Him” to ensure this step is open to everyone, regardless of personal beliefs. Whether we call Him God, a Higher Power, Jesus, Mohammad, or simply spiritual principles, the focus is on releasing our need for control. This decision marks a critical shift from self-reliance to spiritual trust, making it clear that we can no longer stay sober on willpower alone.

How To Work the 3rd Step Effectively

Step 3 is worked through action, specifically by saying the Step 3 prayer from the Big Book, which asks for guidance and freedom from the bondage of self. For me, this moment came when I finally stopped trying to control my addiction and surrendered fully. I spoke the Step 3 prayer aloud, and something changed—I felt a weight lifted, and I knew I wasn’t fighting alone anymore. Making this decision with complete honesty opened the door for everything that followed in recovery.

Steps Four & Five – Fearless Self-Examination

Step 4: “Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.”

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.

What The Fourth Step Means

A “searching and fearless” moral inventory means leaving nothing hidden. It involves writing down our past resentments, fears, and harmful behaviors in relationships. The Big Book breaks this step into three specific inventories: resentment inventory (where we identify the people and situations we hold anger toward), fear inventory (where we explore how fear has controlled us), and sex inventory (where we examine harmful behaviors and patterns in relationships). This step isn’t about self-condemnation—it’s about facing reality with honesty so we can begin to change.

How To Work the 4th Step Effectively

The Big Book provides a column-based structure for writing an effective inventory, focusing on who we’ve harmed, what was affected, and our part in it. Taking this step thoroughly and honestly clears the path for real healing and transformation. Remember, this is not a step to delay—freedom begins when we face the truth, not when we avoid it.

To simplify your Step 4 work, download our free worksheets here:

• Resentment Inventory Worksheet – Break down unresolved anger and how it affects your recovery.
• Fear Inventory Worksheet – Identify fears and how they’ve controlled your decisions.
• Sex Inventory Worksheet – Examine patterns in relationships and take responsibility for past harm.

Step 5: “Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.”

Step 5 is where we take the truths uncovered in Step 4 and share them openly with a sponsor or spiritual advisor. It’s not enough to simply write out our inventory—this step asks us to speak it aloud to another person and to God, breaking free from the isolation and secrecy that fueled our addiction. Step 5 offers us the freedom that comes from being fully known and accepted, making room for genuine healing and spiritual growth.

What The Fifth Step Means

Step 5 involves admitting “the exact nature of our wrongs”—not just what we did, but the deeper patterns of selfishness, fear, and harm that our actions revealed. The Big Book explains that this step is vital for spiritual progress, as keeping secrets fuels shame and blocks us from true freedom. Sharing these truths with someone we trust helps us release the emotional weight we’ve carried. It’s not about being judged—it’s about getting honest and breaking the cycle of isolation.

How To Work the 5th Step Effectively

Working Step 5 effectively means sharing your moral inventory with someone who understands the process. The Big Book emphasizes thoroughness and honesty here. I’ll never forget sharing my Step 5 on the rims of Billings, Montana, in my sponsor’s 1983 mailman Jeep. 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. True freedom began when I stopped hiding and trusted the process.

Steps Six, Seven, Eight & Nine – Becoming A New You

Step 6: “Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.”

Step 6 challenges us to become fully prepared for deep personal change. After uncovering the exact nature of our wrongs in Steps 4 and 5, this step asks us to reach a point of complete willingness to let go of the character defects that have driven our harmful behaviors. It’s about emotional and spiritual readiness—not perfection. This step requires us to stop holding onto the patterns that kept us trapped in addiction and trust that real transformation is possible.

What The Sixth Step Means

To be “entirely ready” means we no longer justify or cling to the behaviors and attitudes that have harmed us and others. It’s an internal shift where we recognize that our old ways—resentment, dishonesty, fear—are no longer serving us. 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. Being ready doesn’t mean we know how to remove them yet—it means we’re open to spiritual help in releasing them.

How To Work The 6th Step Effectively

Step 6 begins with reviewing the patterns identified in Steps 4 and 5. Look for recurring themes like selfishness, fear, or control, and ask yourself: Am I truly ready to let these go? This process isn’t about eliminating every flaw instantly—it’s about becoming fully open to change. When we stop clinging to these patterns, we make space for the transformation that follows in Step 7.

Step 7: “Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.”

Step 7 brings us to a place of genuine humility where we stop trying to fix ourselves and instead ask for God’s help. After becoming entirely ready to let go of our defects of character in Step 6, this step calls us to take direct action by asking God to remove the patterns that no longer serve us. It’s a moment of surrender where we trust that real change happens not by self-will but through spiritual growth.

What The Seventh Step Means

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. 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. True humility means accepting that we can’t transform alone and trusting in God’s guidance for personal growth. The focus here is on genuine willingness, not perfection, as we let go of the patterns that fueled our addiction.

How To Work The 7th Step Effectively

Step 7 is worked by saying the Step 7 prayer from the Big Book, which states:

“My Creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad. I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness to you and my fellows.”

Saying this prayer with sincerity and openness marks a turning point, where we actively invite spiritual help in the transformation process.

Step 8: “Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.”

Step 8 is where we begin preparing for direct action in our relationships. It’s not just about writing names—this step calls us to honestly acknowledge those we’ve harmed and become spiritually prepared to make amends. The focus here is not on immediate action but on emotional readiness, ensuring we approach amends from a place of humility and sincerity. This step allows us to face the truth about our past while preparing to mend it.

What The Eighth Step Means

The Big Book teaches that the list we create in Step 8 originates directly from the personal inventory we completed in Step 4. The names we wrote down under our resentments, fears, and relationship harms often reveal those we need to make amends to. But Step 8 is more than just compiling names—it’s about acknowledging the harm we caused and becoming spiritually prepared to face these individuals. Willingness doesn’t mean we feel ready; it means we’re committed to doing what’s right, even when it feels uncomfortable.

How To Work The 8th Step Effectively

To work Step 8, start by reviewing your Step 4 inventory and creating a comprehensive list of those harmed. If you feel resistance, ask yourself: Am I holding onto fear, pride, or anger? Willingness can grow as we reflect on the importance of personal freedom and healing. Trust the process and remember—this step is about spiritual preparation, not perfection. The courage to face the truth will lay the foundation for the action required in Step 9.

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

Step 9 is where we take the action we’ve been preparing for in Steps 6 through 8. It’s about facing those we’ve harmed with honesty, humility, and accountability. This step is not about apologizing—it’s about making things right wherever possible. By taking responsibility for our actions, we begin to clear away the wreckage of our past and experience the freedom the promises of recovery speak about.

What The Ninth Step Means

Direct amends means facing the people we have harmed and doing what we can to make things right. The Big Book emphasizes that this process involves sincere action, not just words. When possible, direct amends are made in person, but if doing so would cause harm to the other person or someone else, we must pause and seek spiritual guidance before proceeding. This step is about true accountability—recognizing our past behaviors, accepting the consequences, and taking concrete steps to repair the damage we’ve caused without expecting anything in return.

How To Work The 9th Step Effectively

Step 9 begins by revisiting your Step 8 list and working with a sponsor to determine the best way to approach each amends. It’s essential to prioritize humility and sincerity, making direct contact where appropriate and avoiding harm where necessary. This step is also where we begin to experience the powerful promises outlined in the Big Book. Explore the full breakdown of the 9th Step Promises here. They describe the profound freedom and peace that result from making amends and living in integrity.

Step 10, 11 & 12 – Spiritual Awakening and Serving Others

Step 10: “Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.”

Step 10 helps us stay spiritually fit by practicing daily self-reflection and accountability. This step encourages us to remain aware of our thoughts, behaviors, and emotional state as we continue in our recovery. It’s not about perfection but staying honest with ourselves and making corrections as needed to maintain emotional sobriety. Step 10 keeps us free from the buildup of unresolved resentments and harmful behaviors that can threaten our progress.

What The Tenth Step Means

Step 10 is a daily practice of self-examination where we review our thoughts, actions, and emotional reactions to ensure we’re staying on the path of spiritual growth. The Big Book describes this step as a way to avoid the return of selfishness, fear, and dishonesty—habits that can block our recovery if left unchecked. Emotional sobriety means being at peace with ourselves and others, and Step 10 helps us maintain that peace by promptly addressing any mistakes we make throughout the day.

How To Work The 10th Step Effectively

The Big Book suggests a nightly review process where we ask ourselves specific questions: Was I resentful, selfish, dishonest, or afraid? Do I owe anyone an apology? Taking this personal inventory consistently allows us to catch behaviors that need correction before they cause harm. When we’re wrong, we promptly admit it, seeking to make things right as quickly as possible. Practicing Step 10 daily keeps us spiritually grounded and strengthens our emotional freedom.

Step 11: “Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.”

Step 11 invites us to deepen our spiritual connection through regular prayer and meditation. This step isn’t about rigid rituals but about intentionally seeking guidance and clarity from God as we understand Him. It helps us stay grounded in recovery by keeping our focus on spiritual growth and staying connected to the principles that have freed us from addiction. Through consistent practice, Step 11 fosters peace, clarity, and a stronger sense of purpose in our daily lives.

What The Eleventh Step Means

Step 11 is about actively improving our relationship with God, not just maintaining it. The Big Book describes this step as a way to seek “knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.” Prayer involves asking for guidance, while meditation helps us quiet the mind to receive clarity. The goal is not perfection in spiritual practice but a genuine effort to stay connected to a source of strength greater than ourselves. By improving our conscious contact with God, we gain the emotional stability and guidance needed to navigate life’s challenges.

How To Work The 11th Step Effectively

The Big Book suggests both morning and evening practices for Step 11. In the morning, we can begin the day with quiet reflection, asking for guidance and strength to stay on the path of recovery. In the evening, a review of the day with gratitude and accountability helps us stay spiritually fit. Simple meditation techniques, like focusing on our breathing or repeating affirmations, can help calm the mind and create space for spiritual insight. Regular practice strengthens our spiritual foundation and keeps us moving forward in personal recovery.

Step 12: “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.”

Step 12 marks a profound shift in our recovery journey, where we move from personal healing to helping others. It’s the result of the spiritual transformation we’ve experienced through working the previous steps. This step calls us to share what we’ve learned, support others on their path, and continue practicing these principles in every area of our lives. Carrying the message of hope becomes not just a duty but a privilege—one that keeps us grounded in our own recovery.

What The Twelfth Step Means

A spiritual awakening, as described in the Big Book, is the internal shift that occurs as we work the steps—a complete transformation in our thinking, attitudes, and way of life. It’s not about perfection or enlightenment but the profound freedom that comes from being freed from the obsession to drink or use. The Big Book describes this awakening as a “personality change sufficient to bring about recovery from alcoholism.” By the time we reach Step 12, we’ve not only experienced this change but have the responsibility to share it with those still suffering.

Hw To Work The 12th Step Effectively

Step 12 is worked by carrying the message of recovery to others and living out these principles in our daily lives. Sponsorship plays a vital role—guiding someone through the steps just as we were guided strengthens both our recovery and theirs. Sharing our experience in meetings, reaching out to newcomers, and being available to help others begin their journey keeps us spiritually connected and emotionally free. Practicing Step 12 is how we ensure the gifts of sobriety continue to grow in our lives.

Why The Twelve Steps Work: When Worked

The effectiveness of the Twelve Steps is rooted in the transformational process they create when worked thoroughly. Recovered alcoholics describe a complete shift in how they respond to life, marked by freedom from addictive thinking and destructive behaviors. The twelve steps guide us through a process that not only addresses our substance use but also reshapes how we think, act, and connect with others.

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. The structured approach outlined in the Big Book takes us through a series of spiritual actions that have helped millions recover. The process of taking a personal inventory, making amends, and continuing daily self-reflection allows such people who once felt hopeless to experience freedom and purpose.

In the Foreword to the Second Edition of Alcoholics Anonymous, the fellowship reported a 50-75% success rate among those who truly committed to the Twelve Steps, a remarkable achievement for chronic alcoholics. The Twelve Traditions further strengthened the program’s impact by ensuring unity at the group level, keeping the focus on the individual seeking help. This structure prevents personal agendas or outside influences from interfering with the core mission: helping the next person struggling.

Recovery programs using 12 steps work because they focus on personal transformation supported by spiritual principles and community. The message remains clear: when followed thoroughly, the Twelve Steps can restore us to sanity, leading to lasting freedom from addiction. Explore the promises of the twelve steps for each step here.

What Are The 12 Steps in a 12 Step Program? FAQs

Do you have to believe in God to work the 12 Steps?

No, the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous are a spiritual program, not a religious one. Step 2 specifically mentions a “Power greater than ourselves” and emphasizes “God as we understood Him.” This allows each person to find their own understanding of a Higher Power, whether it’s God, nature, or simply the power of the group itself. Many AA members have achieved lasting sobriety by focusing on spiritual principles rather than specific beliefs.

What is the difference between AA and NA?

While both AA and NA are recovery programs based on the Twelve Steps, AA primarily focuses on those struggling with alcohol addiction, while NA (Narcotics Anonymous) addresses drug addiction as a whole. NA also works out of the Basic Text of NA, while AA works from The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. Both fellowships use the Twelve Traditions to maintain unity, emphasizing personal recovery depends on working the steps and practicing service to others.

Why is the Big Book so important in AA?

The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous lays out the exact process for working the Twelve Steps. It offers a precise method for achieving sobriety, emphasizing personal accountability, spiritual principles, and service to other alcoholics. AA groups often use the Big Book as their primary text during meetings and step work.

What happens if you skip a step?

The Twelve Steps are designed as a progressive process where each step builds on the previous one. Skipping steps can disrupt spiritual growth and leave all these defects unresolved. The steps work best when followed thoroughly and honestly, as they are laid out in the Big Book.

How long does it take to work the 12 Steps?

The timeline varies for each person. Some complete the steps quickly, while others take longer based on their spiritual growth and willingness. AA membership encourages working through the steps at a steady pace, guided by One Ultimate Authority—God as He may express Himself in our group conscience, and the principles in the Big Book. The focus is on progress, not perfection, while building a life of alcohol abstinence and personal recovery.