12 Steps and 12 Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous

The 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) are the foundation of recovery from alcohol use disorder. Developed in 1935, the Twelve Step program offers spiritual and physical healing for those struggling with substance abuse.

These steps offer a structured approach that encourages individuals to take responsibility for their substance use and seek support from others facing similar challenges. Here is everything you need to know about the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.

12 Steps And 12 Traditions PDF

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The 12 Steps of AA Explained

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is one of the most successful recovery programs. The 12 Steps of AA, which are also known as the Recovery Roadmap, have helped millions of people who struggle with alcoholism to get their lives back on track.

The 12 Steps are guiding principles that provide a system and support for recovering alcoholics. Through continual work and a strong commitment to the program, individuals can recover from their substance use and learn new ways of managing their emotions.

The 12 Steps of AA are not a “quick fix” or one-size-fits-all solution; they are a journey of self-exploration and discovery. Individuals should be patient with themselves and take each step at their own pace. There might even be some alternatives to the 12-step that might interest you.

Here's what each of the twelve steps is:

1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol – that our lives had become unmanageable.

2. We believed that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

3. We decided to turn our will and lives -to God's care as we understood Him.

4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

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

6. We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.

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

9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when doing so would injure them or others.

10. Continued to take personal inventory, and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.

11. Ask through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understand Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

12. Having had a spiritual awakening due to these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and practice these principles in all our affairs.

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What Are the 12 Traditions of AA?

In addition to the 12 Steps, Alcoholics Anonymous also follows 12 Traditions. These are guidelines that help ensure peace and harmony within the fellowship. The 12 Traditions of AA remind members that they must put their recovery first and strive for unity among all Alcoholics Anonymous groups.

The 12 Traditions of AA include:

1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon AA unity.

2. For our group purpose, there is but one ultimate authority – a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience.

3. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.

4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or AA.

5. Each group has one primary purpose – to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.

6. An AA group must refrain from endorsing, financing, or lending the AA name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.

7. Every AA group must be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.

8. Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.

9. AA, as such, ought never to be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.

10. Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues, so the AA name must never be drawn into public controversy.

11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we must constantly maintain personal secrecy at the press, radio, and film levels.

12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, reminding us to place principles before personalities.

A well-conducted 12-step program imparts helpful knowledge and practice that remain forever; non-professional experiences can traumatize patients in recovery and make them feel unwelcome. That's why it's so important to find the right program.