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The Twelve Steps, in plain words
The steps don’t fix us by themselves. What they do is give us a specific way of looking at what went wrong and a set of actions for doing something about it. We have found that working them — not just reading about them — is what makes the difference.
1Tool available ✦
Admitting powerlessnessAdmitting that alcohol had us, and that our lives had stopped working2Tool available ✦
Came to BelieveFinding a reason to believe that things can change3Tool available ✦
Made a DecisionMaking a decision to stop running our lives on self-will alone4Tool available ✦
The moral inventoryWriting an honest account of our resentments, fears, and conduct5Tool available ✦
Admitted to AnotherTelling another person what we found in Step Four6Tool available ✦
Entirely ReadyBecoming willing to let go of the character defects we found7Tool available ✦
Humbly AskedAsking for those defects to be removed8Tool available ✦
Made a ListMaking a list of everyone we harmed and becoming willing to face them9Tool available ✦
Made Direct AmendsGoing back to the people we hurt and making it right where we can10Tool available ✦
Continued InventoryKeeping a daily account of where we fall short and admitting it promptly11Tool available ✦
Prayer and MeditationDeveloping a practice of prayer or meditation to stay connected12Tool available ✦
Carry the MessageCarrying the message to others and living the principles day by dayContent draws from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, 1st Edition (1939), public domain. Not affiliated with or endorsed by AA World Services.