A Guide to the 12 Steps of AA — What Are They?

What are the 12 Steps of AA? Take a look at our guide and learn everything you need to know about the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and their purpose.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has become popular worldwide for its devotion to helping people recover from alcohol addiction and find lasting sobriety. Founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Robert Smith, AA provides a platform, both in-person and virtual, for people to come together to share experiences, recover from compulsive alcohol use, and live sober lives.
AA employs the now famous 12 steps to recovery, which serve as a spiritual springboard for recovery from alcoholism and its effects, as well as a guide towards a more positive way of living. They represent a course of action for dealing with problems related to alcohol abuse and addiction. The original 12 steps have evolved to meet the changing science and psychology of addiction recovery, even though the premise remains unchanged. The 12 steps have also formed the guiding principles for recovery programs for other addictions. Learn about AA’s 12 steps and how they help addicts recover from their addiction.

Key Takeaways

• The 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous are a set of guiding principles designed to help addicts overcome alcoholism.
• The steps are grounded in the belief that alcoholism is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit, and that connection with a Higher Power (of one’s own, personal understanding) is a fundamental foundation for recovery.
• These steps have evolved over the years to meet the changing demands of science and psychology. 
• The 12-step program works best in addition to other addiction treatment options. 
• The 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous have also formed the guiding principles for recovery from other types of substance abuse. 

What are the 12 Steps of AA?

The 12 steps of AA guide members towards taking action to tackle alcoholism and related problems. Each step revolves around a word, some of which recognize something spiritual or a Higher Power that guides the addict on the path to sobriety. 

These steps are: 

Step 1 – Honesty

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

Addicts tend to spend a lot of time denying that they have a problem or believing they can quit whenever they want. The first step towards lasting addiction recovery is admitting you have a problem and are powerless to help yourself.

Step 2 – Hope

Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

The second step brings a spiritual slant to addiction recovery. Members have to find faith in a Higher Power or something greater than themselves. You get to define who or what that power is and believe it can help you heal and recover, even if you experience setbacks.

Step 3 – Faith

Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

The third step encourages members to let go of their egos and put themselves at the mercy of their defined Higher Power. Doing this helps them to rely on something or someone greater than themselves to help them navigate the path to sobriety. 

Step 4 – Courage

Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

Step four allows members to perform an honest character and behaviour evaluation, so they can devise strategies to overcome defects that may have contributed to their alcoholism. A personal appraisal takes courage, as members may have to confront some painful and uncomfortable truths about themselves.

Step 5 – Integrity

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

The individual will have to speak openly about their defects to God, themselves, and another human being. Step 5 seeks to help members grow out of the guilt and shame of addiction so that they can begin to live more honestly.

Step 6 – Willingness

Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. 

Step 6 arises from the belief that one cannot get rid of bad habits that cause addiction without some assistance from a Higher Power. The individual must also be willing to let those defects go without looking back. 

Step 7 – Humility

Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.

Step 7 teaches members to be humble, admit their shortcomings, and accept that even their best is not enough to help them overcome addiction. Humility helps members realize that while they are responsible for exercising their free will to make responsible choices, relying humbly on a Higher Power is also a critical component to recovery.  Step 7 is about aligning one’s own will with that of one’s own Higher Power.  By going to meetings and hearing other peoples’ stories and by honestly trying to connect with one’s own Higher Power, one begins to open channels of intuition that were previously blocked by addiction.  Step 7 is reaching to a Higher Power for help to restrain oneself from using one's own will for selfish purposes.

Step 8 – Love

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

Step 8 requires members to write down the name of everyone who has been hurt by the addiction and be willing to make amends. This step is one of the most challenging as you have to come to terms with how much you’ve hurt people and take responsibility for your actions.

Step 9 – Responsibility

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

Step 9 builds on the previous step and involves going to any length to make amends for past mistakes. The individual must be willing to work through the discomfort of opening up to those you’ve hurt with your addiction and trying to repair damaged relationships. 

Step 10 – Discipline

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

Addiction recovery is a process, and step 10 helps you come to a point where you can control your actions at every moment. The idea behind this step is that you cultivate the discipline to maintain your progress for the rest of your life.

Step 11 – Spiritual Awareness

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.

Step 11 encourages members to remain in touch with a Higher Power (by prayer and meditation), paying attention to inspiration or promptings as a guide for navigating their recovery journey.

Step 12 – Service

Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

After completing the first 11 steps of the Alcoholics Anonymous program successfully, members are expected to guide other recovering addicts with their experience. Step 12 also involves practising the AA principles in every aspect of your life. 

If you or a loved one is dealing with alcohol addiction, the Canadian Centre for Addiction offers sophisticated treatment programs and support groups in a serene environment that inspires lasting change. Call 1-855-499-9446 today to understand your addiction treatment options and learn the best coping strategies to overcome your addiction.

What is The Purpose Of The 12 Steps Of AA?

The purpose of the 12 steps of AA is to offer addicts a framework for growth and personal transformation and to equip them with skills for living addiction-free lives. The 12 steps outline a clear path to progress by offering a complete shift in mental, emotional, and spiritual perception. At the end of the program, members should have recovered from compulsive alcohol use and restored some order to their lives. 

Addressing Denial and Building Openness

The first three steps serve a critical foundational purpose: overcoming the defensive structures that protect addiction from scrutiny. Active alcoholism thrives on denial, grandiosity, and the persistent illusion that willpower alone can control drinking patterns. Steps 1 through 3 deliberately target these psychological barriers by compelling members to confront their powerlessness over alcohol, acknowledge that their current approach has failed, and develop openness to guidance from sources beyond their own judgment. This calculated shift away from self-reliance creates the psychological space necessary for genuine change to occur.

Self-Examination, Accountability, and Emotional Healing

Confronting one's past through rigorous self-inventory and the act of making amends (Steps 4, 5, 8, and 9) addresses a fundamental truth about addiction. Most individuals struggling with alcoholism carry substantial guilt, shame, and resentment that alcohol temporarily numbed but never resolved. These steps serve the critical purpose of systematically identifying and addressing these underlying emotional drivers before they can trigger relapse. The written inventory process forces an honest examination of character defects and harmful behaviors that individuals often prefer to avoid or rationalize. Sharing this inventory with another person breaks the isolation and secrecy that shame thrives on, while the amends process repairs damaged relationships and removes the emotional burden of unresolved guilt. Without addressing these deeper emotional wounds, sobriety remains fragile because the original reasons for drinking (escaping painful feelings) remain untreated.

Sustaining Growth Through Ongoing Practice

The final grouping of steps addresses a crucial reality—sobriety without ongoing growth often leads to what AA calls "dry drunk" syndrome, technically sober but emotionally and spiritually stagnant. Steps 6, 7, and 10 through 12 serve the essential purpose of transforming recovery from a static achievement into a dynamic way of living. These steps recognize that the same character defects and emotional patterns that contributed to drinking will resurface unless actively addressed through daily practice. The continuous inventory work prevents the buildup of resentments that historically triggered drinking episodes, while the spiritual practices maintain the humility and connection to Higher Power that initial sobriety requires. Service to others fulfills a dual purpose: it reinforces one's own recovery while creating meaning beyond personal concerns, addressing the underlying emptiness that alcohol once filled.

How Long Does It Take for the 12 Steps of AA to Work?

Many AA programs encourage completing an initial pass through all twelve steps within the first 90 days of recovery, providing a foundation for sobriety during the most vulnerable early period. However, the steps function as lifelong practices rather than a one-time checklist—members often revisit particular steps like the daily inventory or continue working on character defects for years. The real transformation typically becomes evident within the first few months of consistent participation, though the depth of change continues to evolve throughout a recovery.

Benefits and Drawbacks of the 12 Steps of AA

AA’s 12-step program offers several advantages and sobriety benefits. There are also some drawbacks to consider before deciding to join a 12-step program. 

Benefits

• 12-step programs offer a free resource for communities to address addiction and related problems.
• 12-step programs are community-based and readily available, making them accessible to everyone who needs them.
• They empower individuals to take responsibility for their addiction and recovery.
• 12-step programs provide structure and offer clear goals for recovery.
• They offer a strong sense of support and accountability, making the recovery journey easier.
• 12-step programs emphasize the importance of spiritual help and support on the recovery journey.

Drawbacks

• A 12-step program does not offer medical or clinical treatment, so it may not be the most appropriate option for individuals with co-occurring mental health disorders.
• They are spiritual and faith-based, which may be a barrier to people who struggle to believe in a greater or Higher Power. But this belief need not be a barrier for those willing to have a spiritual experience, as long as the person is honest and willing to work the 12 steps.
• 12-step programs are organized and led by peer support and may not be suitable for addicts who need professional intervention.
• The emphasis on ‘powerlessness’ may not sit well with some individuals.  However, the longer one remains in the rooms of AA, one gets a deeper appreciation for the nuances of the meaning of `powerlessness’.
• 12-step programs are held in public places and offer little privacy. Members may also have to deal with the stigma that comes from the wrong perception that the program is only for people who have hit rock bottom. There is a saying in 12-step programs that one does not need to get off the elevator at the ground floor. One can step off earlier.

Are They Effective?

The 12-step program of AA can effectively aid people on their journey to addiction recovery. This program went on for decades without scientific backing, but available research currently supports the effectiveness of this approach to alcohol addiction treatment. 12-step programs not only help people achieve sobriety, but they also serve as valuable support sources for life if required. Joining a 12-step program consistently produces better recovery outcomes, especially if combined with other treatment options. 

12 Steps of AA Alternatives

Some other mutual support groups help people trying to recover from drug and alcohol use. Some alternatives to AA’s 12 steps include:

SMART Recovery

Smart Management and Recovery Training focuses on empowering individuals to sustain recovery. Unlike AA, it doesn’t emphasize powerlessness but encourages members to see addiction as a habit they can learn to control. It employs cognitive behavioural methods to help members deal with thoughts that fuel addiction while building the motivation and resilience needed to develop healthy habits.

LifeRing

LifeRing is a secular group of peers that helps members focus on abstaining from alcohol and other addictive substances.

Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS)

Secular Organizations for Sobriety is a program that helps people overcome addiction by getting them to focus on their values and integrity rather than look to a Higher Power. SOS encourages members to prioritize their recovery and to do whatever is required to remain sober.

Moderation Management (MM)

Moderation Management is not based on abstinence. Rather, it focuses on helping members learn how to moderate and control problem drinking behaviours. 

Professional Intervention

Professional intervention will often be required to help an individual recover from addiction. 12-step programs are usually more effective when combined with professional addiction treatment. Multiple addiction treatment options are available, and you may need to speak with an expert to know which is best for you or a loved one.
The Canadian Centre for Addictions offers professional addiction treatment in our luxury facilities in Ontario. Our team of experts helps people understand their addictions and the healthier coping strategies available by engaging them in one-on-one counselling with certified counsellors, psychiatrists, and mental health professionals.

Brief History of the 12 Steps

The 12 Steps program was founded in 1935 when Bill Wilson, a struggling alcoholic, sought help from a Christian organization – the Oxford Group. Wilson met Robert Smith, a surgeon who also suffered from alcoholism, at an Oxford Group meeting. Wilson and Smith came to form a close friendship and found out that the group’s treatment of sin as a disease resonated with their struggles with alcohol. 

Both men supported each other to stay sober, and Wilson was the first to kick his alcoholism. He attributed his success to working with other alcoholics and his meetings with Smith. They devised the idea for a group they would call Alcoholics Anonymous, drawing from the spiritual principles learned from their Oxford Group meetings. The group was founded on June 10, 1935, the day Bill Wilson had his last drink. In 1939, Bill Wilson and Robert Smith published AA’s Big Book, which would become the governing guideline for AA groups worldwide. The message and success of AA spread, and many people worldwide have found success in recovery using these principles. 

Are They the Same as the 12 Traditions?

While the 12 steps are designed to help individuals find their way toward sobriety, the 12 traditions focus on AA and its members as a body. The 12 traditions are guidelines governing the direction and operating procedures of AA fellowships worldwide. The 12 traditions of AA are:

1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon AA
2. For our group purpose, there is but one ultimate authority – a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern. 
3. The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking.
4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups of AA worldwide.
5. Each group has but one primary purpose – to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
6. An AA group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the AA name to any related facility or outside enterprise lest problems of money, property, and prestige drive us from our primary purpose.
7. Every AA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
8. Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centres may employ special workers.
9. AA, as such, ought never 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, hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need to maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films.
12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before traditions.

Can the 12 Steps of AA Transform Your Recovery? 

The 12 Steps remain essential because they rebuild what addiction destroys: authentic relationships, self-worth, and hope for the future. While other approaches focus on stopping drinking, these steps heal the deeper wounds that drive people to alcohol in the first place.

Recovery flourishes when people discover they can face life's challenges with dignity and support. The 12 Steps provide this foundation by developing emotional strength, spiritual connection, and genuine community. They guide people from isolation and despair toward meaningful relationships and purposeful living, proving that lasting change is possible for anyone willing to take the first step.

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