The 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) are a set of guiding principles used in the recovery program to help individuals struggling with alcohol addiction achieve sobriety and maintain their abstinence. These steps are also adapted and used by various other Twelve-Step programs for various addictions and compulsive behaviors. Here are the original 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous:
We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.
Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
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.
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.
These steps are designed to help individuals recognize the impact of alcohol in their lives, address their underlying issues, seek support from a higher power or a spiritual connection, take responsibility for their actions, make amends, and support others in their journey to recovery.
It's important to note that while the 12 steps have been beneficial to many people, recovery is a personal journey, and different approaches may work for different individuals. Some people find success through AA or other Twelve-Step programs, while others may find support through alternative recovery methods or therapeutic approaches. The most important aspect is finding a path to sobriety that works for the individual and supports their long-term well-being.