Alcoholics Anonymous

• Alcoholics following the 12 steps first admit that they are powerless over alcohol. Next, the alcoholic must believe that a power greater than himself can restore his life. Third is the decision to turn his life over to God or the greater power.
  
  

Appraisal

• An alcoholic makes a moral inventory of herself in step 4. This means understanding how addiction changed her life and where she was hurt and felt shame. She did not want to look at how out of control she became. It is painful to put down denial and look at herself honestly, which might mean making lists of what she did right and what she did wrong.
  
  

Admit Wrongs

• Confiding wrongs to God and another person in step 5 releases the power those wrongs have over the alcoholic and releases some of the shame. Shame is a powerful force that rises in the alcoholic and goes against values to hurt himself or others. Shame is full of anger, dishonesty and resentment.
  
  

Remove Defects

• In step 6, the alcoholic asks God to remove defects and help him see who he really is--good points and bad. The alcoholic asks that his impulsive angry behavior be changed and that he accurately see that he hurts himself and others.
  
  

Acceptance

• Step 7 is accepting and finding peace with oneself, understanding oneself. The alcoholic understands her own weaknesses and that she needs others and others need her. She starts to feel balanced, though sometimes she will feel sad, angry, or desperate.
  
  

Restitution

• The alcoholic makes amends with people he hurt when he was drinking. He begins by making a list and is honest. Step 8 is taking responsibility for pain and damage he caused and correcting past mistakes. People hurt are typically friends, family and creditors. Step 8 might be met with denial and resentment. Denial and resentment are really free will. Becoming willing is liberating. He must be willing to accept past wrongs. Step 9 is making restitution.
  
  

Maintenance

• Step 10 is reviewing previous steps to continue to make progress, practicing every day to keep progressing toward a better life. Admitting what was done wrong and staying on track, she must remind herself of her defects. Step 11 is prayer or meditation to improve and for the power to carry out the 12 steps.
  
  Step 12 is realizing that the 12 steps were an awakening. It is about helping others follow the 12 steps. He did not care in the past, but now he cares deeply. It is important to tell the truth.