Alcoholics Anonymous
How Do We Recover
To Heal from addiction we need to work through the 12 steps. This is a great outline of the process.
This AA Morning Step Work Sheet is designed for newcomers or anyone who wants to start each day off in a way that will definitely set them up for a new & better life.
This Trigger List is designed for newcomers or anyone who has never written down those things that might trigger either drinking, drugging or acting out in a way that hurts them or others.
The Powerless List is designed for newcomers or anyone who has never written down those things that they feel powerless over but have found they have a habit of hoping or trying to change.
This Unmanageable List is designed for newcomers or anyone who has never written down those things that are overwhelming their life, creating situations whereby there is so much “stuff” that they can’t seem to handle it. This is where life feels unmanageable.
This is 4th Step Resentment Inventory is designed for newcomers or anyone who wishes to do a fourth step out of the Big Book. The only exception to the Big Book’s instruction is a 5th column, whereby we identify what we can do differently in the future.
This is 4th Step Harms Inventory is designed for newcomers or anyone who wishes to do a fourth step out of the Big Book. The only exception to the Big Book’s instruction is a 5th column, whereby we identify what we can do differently in the future.
This is 4th Step Fears Inventory is designed for newcomers or anyone who wishes to do a fourth step out of the Big Book. The only exception to the Big Book’s instruction is a 5th column, whereby we identify what we can do differently in the future.
This is 4th Step Sex Inventory is designed for newcomers or anyone who wishes to do a fourth step out of the Big Book. The only exception to the Big Book’s instruction is a 5th column, whereby we identify what we can do differently in the future.
4th Step Character Defect Checklist
This sheet was created by Chris K as an adjunct to the 4th step in order to identify the character defects that played a part in each item from our 4th step. It’s a fantastic way to easily move into steps 6 & 7.
This 6th & 7th Step Worksheet is fantastic for newcomers or anyone who wishes to do formally work these steps by spotting the character defects that are affecting us each day, and then asking for our HP to help remove them from us. If working a step-a-month program, I suggest using these sheets as your primary step work for June & July, in conjunction with reading Drop the Rock (See Spiritual Backpack link).
This 8th Step Worksheet is fantastic for newcomers or anyone who wishes to do formally work these steps by rigorously cleaning up their side of the street, thereby eliminating feelings of shame, guilt, remorse, resentment, and self-pity. Remember, this is just the list! Writing it down does not mean you’ll be making an amends, that’s to discuss with your sponsor first. This just shows your willingness. Also, for any amends involving something that could hurt you or others if it was read by someone (cheating, lying, stealing, crimes, etc.), it’s HIGHLY suggested to write in code (i.e., instead of “robbed ABC bank on 12/14/89” write “took a pen from the bank”, or instead of “slept with the neighbor”, possibly “took the pen from my neighbor”). This can save lots of heartache and pain (trust me). Included in these sheets is detailed instructions, a Blank 8th Step Sheet, a Category Sheet to trigger memories, and Assets/Gratitude Sheet. If working a step-a-month program, I suggest using these sheets as your primary step work for August, in conjunction with reading You Can’t Make Me Angry (See Spiritual Backpack link).
There is no Step 9 worksheet, as this is a step that needs to be made to the person(s) we have harmed. I find that it’s VERY important to go over your Step 8 list with a sponsor or other 12 Step member that has worked all the steps – someone whom you trust for direction. I first help my spondee’s determine which amends should be made, and which shouldn’t. This is determined primarily by examining the underlying motivation behind the desire (or discomfort) to make the amends. Then when we have a solid list that we both feel right about, most of the amends should be made in person, face to face. However, there will be some that cannot, or should not, be made face-to-face. Alternatives could be by phone, email, text, letter, etc. I encourage my spondees to attempt diligently to find those that we feel an amends should be made to, using all resources available, including the internet, Facebook, friends, etc. Again, these decisions and actions should, in my opinion, only be made with the help of someone experienced in the program. I’ve attached the Step 9 from the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions, something that can benefit us all before attempting to practice this step.
Step 10 is, in my opinion, a life-long step, as many of our steps are. This is where we begin to use all the experience of having worked the prior 9 steps, as a basis for daily living. I consider daily journaling an intrinsic part of working this step. It is only by examining myself on a regular basis, that I can find what is working well in my life (and grow that), and what behaviors I’m engaging in that are perhaps not so loving towards me and others (and work on reducing those). My personal method of journaling is to first write the date, then the physical location I am at, then what has been happening in my life since my last entry (or at least in the last 24 hours of my life). During the writing I make sure that I examine my actions to see if I have harmed anyone, and write about my part. If I find that I have hurt someone, even unintentionally, I stop writing and usually pick up my cell phone and make direct amends (unless I am close to them and can do it in person). I end my daily entry with my gratitude list, followed these days, by xoxo Mom, xoxo Christopher, xoxo Grandma. Those are my three angels that only live in my heart now (mom, baby brother and g-ma). I buy journals that are comfortable, with thicker lines, and not too heavy to carry in my spiritual backpack. Initially, I offer my spondee’s some 10th step worksheets to get them into the habit of the step.
Step 11 is so personal that I am tempted not to offer any suggestions. However, I will tell you a little about my personal quest for a connection with a Higher Power. I didn’t grow up in a religious family. My dad essentially told me that God is love, when I asked him about a higher power. When I was in college, I took a course on religious studies. As part of the course, I was to immerse myself in a couple of religions, and write reports about them. I first joined a bible study group on campus, and of course was the thorn in everyone’s side – always questioning everything, pointing out discrepancies and showing how a subtle shift in the interpretations of the words resulted in an entirely new meaning. Then I lived with at the Robertson location of Hare Krsna for two nights. I worked in the kitchen with them, prayed with them, and solicited donations with them. Those experiences left me feeling that there was definitely some good things contained in various religions, but the aspect of needing someone else to define my higher power and tell me how I should connect with God was something I wanted no part of. Don’t get me wrong, I have plenty of spondee’s that love being part of a religious organization, and it makes their life richer because of it. But one of the greatest gifts of the 12 step programs is that it allows each of us to determine they type of faith we want in our lives. My type became a deep, personal relationship with a God of my not-understanding. And it took quite a while. In fact, it wasn’t until around the 10th year of sobriety that I got tired of not having this thing called a Higher Power. Until that point, the program and fellowship was sort of like my Higher Power. It changed one day when, driving along the Pali in Maui, I heard a radio announcer say “Hey folks, you want to know what God is? I’ll tell you what God is. God is a make-believe friend for grownups. That’s what God is.” In the moment of hearing that I realized that I could have that. I could make-up what God is to me. When I next journaled, I wrote down “If God were real, here’s what I would want God to be like…” And that became the God I began having a friendship with. Each of us has our own path to spirituality, and I encourage you to take what I’ve said and leave the rest – it certainly won’t work for everyone. But that’s my little story of finding a Higher Power. I can tell you that, having found a Higher Power, and now having a relationship with God, has make my life both easier and more enjoyable. I talk to my HP all the time now. Here’s what the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions has to say about Step 11.
12Step Readings & Memorizations
Step 12 assumes that we’ve had a Spiritual Awakening. This was tough for me because, as I’ve told you, I had trouble with the concept of God for the first 10 years of sobriety. Not only that, it took quite a while to complete all the other 11 steps (having gone to only a few meetings and having had no sponsor during my first 7 years of abstinence). As such, I was unable to do the second part of this step (practice the principles), or the third part (carry the message). However, eventually I did find a Higher Power. And though, in retrospect, it would not be until many years that I feel I really began working the program regularly in my life, I did begin carrying this message to others at around 10 years sobriety. I did it at first by sharing and being of service at meetings, and then eventually sponsoring others (which got me to start reading the Big Book regularly). I did the 12 Step work from attachment below for many years, and periodically do it again every few years. I’ve also shared it with many spondee’s, who have said they found it useful. Enjoy!
The path through recovery led me to a sponsor (who is no longer with us) that urged me to find a way to really love myself unconditionally. He suggested the standard “Look in the mirror and say ‘I love you (your name)’ every morning, until I finally really did love myself. It took me just over a year, but I finally got it. Recently I was looking online and found some great self-love affirmation images to print and put up on my mirror to read and remind me of how much I love being me. Click on the link above and enjoy!
This outline was complied by James Q at www.12stepwork.com
One of the best I have ever read. Well worth your time to review the website.