3. Making Direct Amends

The importance of making amends is not meant to erase guilt, but rather to restore relationships and foster spiritual growth. Other important aspects of this step include:

• Making direct amends might feel intimidating, but it is one of the most transformative parts of the 12-step program because it allows one to humbly practice forgiveness and accountability.
• This process can be challenging, and AA strongly encourages this work to be done in community with others, including a sponsor. Having guidance and support from people who have practiced this step, themselves, is key.
• Healing can happen through the process of making direct amends. Accepting and taking responsibility for “our side of the street” can not only restore relationships, but also our sense of self and peace.
• While this is an essential part of working the 12 Steps, there are instances when making amends can cause harm (either to ourselves or to someone else). Always consult with trusted support for guidance before taking this step.

4. Taking a Personal Inventory

Daily self-reflection and action are encouraged as part of the 12 Steps to maintain spiritual progress. We can commit to identifying and correcting missteps before they escalate, as well as fostering emotional balance and self-awareness.

• By staying committed to a practice of taking personal inventory, we can learn to promptly admit mistakes, learn from our behavior, and continue making necessary amends.
• As a result, we can strengthen our relationships and, in some cases, connection with a higher power and a more resilient recovery.

Are there some principles or steps in AA that are challenging from a trauma-informed lens?

One core element of trauma-informed care is empowerment. This may seem at odds with Step One, where one is called to accept their powerlessness over substance, but I’ve learned that accepting powerlessness over alcohol and/or drugs enables us to become empowered in most every other important area of our lives.

Tim Lineaweaver, LMHC | Wreckage to Recovery

5. Exploring the Possibility of a Power Greater than Self

Having a spiritual experience or “awakening” can be part of following the steps. While this may sound overly religious or even off-putting to some, many people who participate in 12-Step programs share their experience of discovering a power greater than themselves. For some, this means God. For others, another type of higher power. Spiritual discovery can be as unique an experience as the recovery process itself.

• Research suggests that practicing spirituality can change a person’s beliefs and fuel their drive to serve others,³ in addition to deepening a sense of purpose, connection, and joy.

• Ultimately, for many who follow the 12 Steps, spiritual growth can lead to a life of peace, resilience, and gratitude. Although, it is important to remember that recovery is an individualized journey.

The Universal Invitation of the 12 Steps

The 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous may have been born from the struggle of addiction, but they offer tools that reach far beyond recovery from substance use. They provide a path toward integrity, accountability, spiritual connection, and healing—gifts that anyone, from any walk of life, may be able to benefit from.

Still, important questions remain: When is the right time to introduce someone to the Steps? Are there circumstances where the Steps may not be beneficial—or even potentially harmful? And in a digital world, what’s the most effective way to engage with this process?

As we continue to explore and expand access to these powerful principles, let’s not lose sight of their deeper promise: to help us become more honest, connected, and alive. Whether in-person, online, or somewhere in between, the invitation remains the same—a deepened recovery journey and enhanced quality of life.

FAQs

Q: Where are the 12 Steps in the AA book?

A: The 12 Steps are outlined in Chapter 5, titled “How It Works,” in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. You can find them on page 59 in most editions.

Q: What are the 12 principles of recovery in AA?

A: Each of the 12 Steps corresponds to a spiritual principle, such as honesty, hope, faith, courage, integrity, willingness, humility, and service. These principles guide personal growth and recovery.

Q: Where can I find the 12 Steps?

A: You can find the 12 Steps on the official AA website,⁴ in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, and in most AA meeting materials.

Q: What are the 12 Promises of AA?

A: The Twelve Promises describe the emotional and spiritual benefits that come from working the Steps. They include feelings of peace, freedom, and fearlessness, and are found in Chapter 6 of the Big Book.

Q: What are the 12 Steps of AA?

A: The 12 Steps are a set of principles designed to help individuals overcome addiction by fostering honesty, accountability, and connection with a Higher Power. They include admitting powerlessness, taking moral inventory, making amends, and helping others.

Q: Are there alternatives to the Twelve Steps and AA?

A: Yes. Alternatives include SMART Recovery, Refuge Recovery, LifeRing Secular Recovery, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based programs. Each offers different approaches to sobriety and self-improvement. There are many pathways of recovery.

Q: Does Alcoholics Anonymous work?

A: Studies show that participation in AA and 12-Step programs can significantly support long-term sobriety and emotional healing, especially when combined with professional treatment and ongoing support.

Q: What are the benefits of a 12-Step program?

Benefits include increased self-awareness, stronger coping skills, spiritual growth, reduced isolation, and lasting recovery through mutual support and service.

Q: How do the 12 Steps work and why?

A: The 12 Steps work by fostering honesty, accountability, and spiritual growth. They help people identify destructive patterns, make amends, and build meaningful connections, which promotes lasting change.

Q: How can I start working the 12 Steps of AA?

A: Start by reading the Big Book, attending AA meetings, and finding a sponsor who has experience with the Steps. Many people begin their journey in a treatment center or with the support of a recovery program. It is key to work the steps with support.

Q: How can the 12 Steps help with addiction recovery?

A: The Steps provide structure, community, and spiritual guidance, helping individuals move through denial, heal past wounds, and build a new way of life rooted in purpose and service.