The Twelve Steps
Basis of the Al-Anon Program
We study the Twelve Steps to help us meet and solve problems related to alcoholism. We learn constructive ways to deal with these problems so that we gradually become able to work them out.
In a broad sense, the Steps are a spiritual philosophy reflecting elements of the religions and philosophies of the world.
In their simple words, the Twelve Steps encompass a magnificent body of the ideas whose study will be rewaarded by the enrichment of our characters and personalities, a deeper understanding of our relationship to others, and a sustaining confidence and serenity that will help us to live more fully each day.
1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol -- that our lives had become unmanageable.2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God AS WE UNDERSTOOD HIM.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all person we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. 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.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
Background by Roger
