This may be downloaded as an individual document HERE

STEP 6

“WERE ENTIRELY READY TO HAVE GOD REMOVE ALL
THESE DEFECTS OF CHARACTER.”

We have emphasized willingness as being indispensable.

• a) Are we now ready to let God remove from us all the things which we have admitted are objectionable? YES___ NO___
• b) Can He now take them all – every one? YES___ NO___
• c) If we still cling to something we will not let go, we ask God to help us be willing. YES___ NO___

STEP 7

“HUMBLY ASKED HIM TO REMOVE OUR SHORTCOMINGS”

When ready, we say something like this:

“My Creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad. I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness to you and my fellows. Grant me strength, as I go out from here, to do your bidding. Amen.”

We have then completed Step Seven.

Now we need more action, without which we find that “Faith without works is dead.” Let’s look at Steps Eight and Nine (Page 76).

This may be downloaded as an individual document HERE

STEP 5

“ADMITTED TO GOD, TO OURSELVES, AND TO ANOTHER HUMAN BEING THE EXACT NATURE OF OUR WRONGS.”

WHY WE TAKE THIS STEP:
If we skip this vital step – we may not overcome our addictions. We must be entirely honest with somebody if we expect to live long or happily in this world (Page 72).

WHO WE TAKE THIS STEP WITH:
Though we have no religious connection, we may still do well to talk with someone ordained by an established religion. We often find such a person quick to see and understand our problem. Here everyone is welcome, is free to speak in absolute confidentiality, and is again unified by doing this step, as all the others, in the same manner as the rest of the group.

JOG YOUR MEMORY:
1) Trying to avoid this humbling experience, they have turned to easier methods. Almost invariably they returned to their addictions.
2) Ask God to help you remember and be willing to be honest.
3) Write down the important things that you are not proud of that you cannot discuss with somebody else.

1. Begin your step by saying “My name is ____________________, and I don’t react well to fear, resentments, or sex problems because of my selfishness and self-centeredness (the exact nature of our wrongs).”

2. ________________________________________________________________________________________

3. ________________________________________________________________________________________

4. ________________________________________________________________________________________

5. ________________________________________________________________________________________

6. ________________________________________________________________________________________

7. ________________________________________________________________________________________

8. ________________________________________________________________________________________________

UPON COMPLETION:

Now it’s time to find a place where we can be quiet for an hour, carefully reviewing what we have done. We thank God from the bottom of our heart that we know Him better.

Carefully considering the first five steps we ask if we have omitted anything, for we are building an arch through which we shall walk a free man at last (Pages 75-76).

1) “WE ADMITTED WE ARE POWERLESS OVER ALCOHOLISM – THAT OUR LIVES HAD BECOME UNMANAGEABLE.” Yes___ No___
2) “CAME TO BELIEVE THAT A POWER GREATER THAN OURSELVES COULD RESTORE US TO SANITY.” Yes___ No___
3) “MADE A DECISION TO TURN OUR WILL AND OUR LIVES OVER TO THE CARE OF GOD AS WE UNDERSTOOD HIM.” Yes___ No___
4) “MADE A SEARCHING AND FEARLESS MORAL INVENTORY OF OURSELVES.” Yes___ No___
5) “ADMITTED TO GOD, TO OURSELVES, AND TO ANOTHER HUMAN BEING THE EXACT NATURE OF OUR WRONGS.” Yes___ No___

a) Is our work solid so far? Yes___ No___

b) Are the stones properly in place? Yes___ No___

c) Have we skimped on the cement put into the foundation? Yes___No___

d) Have we tried to make mortar without sand? Yes___ No___

If we can answer to our satisfaction, we then look at Steps Six and Seven.

NOTES:

This may be downloaded as an individual document HERE

This may be downloaded as an individual document HERE

STEP 3

How to take it: (Suggestions)

• a) Take this step with a member of the group.
  b) Read each question out loud, mark yes or no to each one; and
  c) If you are convinced of each question, you will be feeling comfortable with Step 3, and should move to the next step.

What should I do if I’m not convinced?

• a) Let a member of the group know of your problem. Review the step with him/her. Pin point the part of the step you are having problems with. BE HONEST!
  b) Go back to the previous Step, perhaps the problem is there. “Am I sincerely convinced of Step 2?”
  c) Read and re-read the chapter which carries the main thrust on Step 3, Chapter 5, “How It Works,” pages 58-64. Read it 100 times if necessary.
  d) Go to as many meetings as possible hearing and listening for the words that will help convince you.

What I am convinced of when I:

“MADE A DECISION TO TURN OUR WILL AND OUR LIVES OVER TO THE CARE OF GOD AS WE UNDERSTOOD HIM.”

1. I am convinced that I must no longer make decisions that will affect others without first talking it over with someone else. I must no longer rely on my thinking; Pray and ask others for help. YES___NO___
2. I am convinced that the constant belief in a “Power greater than ourselves” that I found in Step 2 will give me the strength and inspiration I need to go on with the rest of the program of recovery. YES___NO___
3. I am convinced that half-measures or taking this program half-heartedly will avail me nothing. YES___NO___
4. I am convinced that I have to let go absolutely the thought of holding on to old ideas that are harmful to me and others. The result of my program of recovery will be nil until I let go absolutely (These ideas will be disclosed later in the program). YES___NO___
5. I am convinced that I must go on with Steps 4 through 9 if I am to re-create my life and Steps 10, 11 and 12 will give me the tools to live each day comfortably without addictions. YES___NO___
6. I am convinced that I have to develop a manner of living which demands rigorous honesty with myself and others. YES___NO___
7. I am convinced that any life run on self-will can hardly be a success. On that basis we are almost always in collision with something or somebody, even though our motives are good. YES___NO___
8. I am convinced that “selfishness—self-centeredness!” is the root of my troubles. Self-centeredness means excessive thought of self whereby my total energies are spent trying to maintain me and get me what I want. YES___NO___
9. I am convinced that driven by a hundred forms of fear, self-delusion, self-seeking, and self-pity, we step on the toes of our fellows and they retaliate. YES___NO___
10. I am convinced that at some time in the past I have made decisions based on self which later placed me in a position to be hurt. YES___NO___
11. I am convinced that I have to quit playing God. It didn’t work. Playing God, means trying to run the show at home, at work and socially. YES___NO___
12. I am convinced that hereafter in this drama of life, God is going to be the Director. He is the Principal, we are His agents. YES___NO___
13. I am convinced that the following prayer I am going to say out loud with a person who understands is said with all the honesty I can muster at this time. YES___NO___

“God, I offer myself to Thee—to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life. May I do Thy will always!”

Next we launched out on a vigorous course of action, the first step of which is a personal housecleaning, which many of us had never attempted. Though our decision was a vital and crucial step it could have little permanent effect unless at once followed by a strenuous effort to face, and be rid of, the things in ourselves which had been blocking us. Our addictions were but a symptom. So we had to get down to causes and conditions.

NOTES:

This may be downloaded as an individual document HERE

STEP 2

How to take it: (Suggestions)

• a) Take this step with a member of the group.
  b) Read each question out loud, mark yes or no to each one; and
  c) If you are convinced of each question, you will be feeling comfortable with Step 2, and should move to the next step.

What should I do if I’m not convinced?

• a) Let a member of the group know of your problem. Review the step with him/her. Pin point the part of the step you are having problems with. BE HONEST!
  b) Go back to the previous Step, perhaps the problem is there. “Am I sincerely convinced of Step 1?”
  c) Read and re-read the chapter which carries the main thrust on Step 2, Chapter 4, “We Agnostics,” pages 44-57. Read it 100 times if necessary.
  d) Go to as many meetings as possible hearing and listening for the words that will help convince you.

What I am convinced of when I say:

“CAME TO BELIEVE THAT A POWER GREATER THAN OURSELVES COULD RESTORE US TO SANITY.”

1. I am convinced that I have to find a power, other than human power, to replace the power of alcoholism. YES___NO___

2. I am convinced that my own code of morals or philosophy of living is insufficient. I cannot stay comfortable on a continuing basis, my way (because of alcoholism). YES___NO___

3. I am convinced that my human intelligence is not enough to keep me comfortably sober on my own (because of alcoholism). YES___NO___

4. I am convinced that my idea of self-sufficiency did not work. Self-sufficiency means staying comfortable without help. YES___NO___

5. I am convinced I never gave the spiritual life a fair hearing on a constant and continuing basis. Spiritual means believing in some power other than human power.
YES___NO___

6. I am convinced that lack of power was my dilemma. My own will power, so far as alcoholism is concerned, is nil. I cannot stop using addictions and feel comfortable on will power alone (because of alcoholism). YES___NO___

7. I am convinced that believing in a “Power greater than ourselves” is a strength, not a weakness. YES___NO___

8. I am convinced that constantly believing in a “Power greater than ourselves” will give me purpose and direction in life, without addictions. Constant means each and every day and sometimes many times during the day. YES___NO___

9. I am convinced that in the final analysis only I can tap the Power that’s available to us all. I believe that deep down in me is the fundamental idea of God. I have to find the Great Reality deep down within myself. YES___NO___

10. I am convinced that a constant belief in a “Power greater than ourselves” will eventually take away or remove my obsession to use addictions. Obsession means the thought or idea that somehow, someday I will control and return safely to my addictions.
YES___NO___

11. I am convinced that, when the obsession that I can go back to my addiction has been taken away or removed, I have been restored to sanity. It’s the thought and ideas before using that is the insanity of my thinking. YES___NO___

12. I am convinced that probably no human power could have relieved my alcoholism
(Page 60). YES___NO___

13. I am convinced that God could and would if He were sought. I have to make the effort (Page 60). YES___NO___

14. I am convinced when thousands of AA’s throughout the world say that the presence of this Power is today the most important fact of their lives, I believe. YES___NO___

15. I am convinced that I have to ask for help everyday and sometimes many times during the day if I am to re-create my life. YES___NO___

NOTES:

This may be downloaded as an individual document HERE

STEP 1

How to take it: (Suggestions)

a) Take this step with a member of the group.

b) Read each question out loud, mark yes or no to each one; and

c) If you are convinced of each question, you will be feeling comfortable with

    Step 1, and should move to the next step.

What should I do if I’m not convinced?

a) Let a member of the group know of your problem. Review the step with him/her.  Pinpoint the part of the step you are having problems with.  BE HONEST!

b) Prior to Step 1 I had to be willing to go to any length!  Am I sincere? 

c) Read and re-read the chapter which carries the main thrust on Step 1, namely, “More About Alcoholism,” pages 30-43.  Read it 100 times if necessary.

d) Go to as many meetings as possible hearing and listening for the words that will help convince you.

What I am convinced of when I say:

“WE ADMITTED WE ARE POWERLESS OVER ALCOHOLISM – THAT OUR LIVES HAD BECOME UNMANAGEABLE.”

1. I am convinced that I have lost the ability to control my addiction(s). I cannot guarantee what will happen once I engage in them because of my alcoholism. YES_____ NO_____ 

2. I am convinced that I have lost the power to choose whether I will engage in my addictions or not; I can’t rely on my own will power to stop myself from using them, because of my alcoholism.  YES_____  NO_____  

3. I am convinced that I have an illness or disease called alcoholism.  I’m sick spiritually, mentally, and physically, but I can get well.  Spiritually sick means excessive thought of self, self-centred, self-will run riot.  Mentally sick means the thought or idea I will somehow, someday control and enjoy my addiction(s). Physically sick means I have an allergy, a craving for more develops with each use. YES_____NO_____   

4. I am convinced my alcoholism is a progressive illness that will always get worse over any considerable period of time (never better) so long as I continue to treat it with addictions and resentment instead of a spiritual answer. YES_____NO_____

5. I am convinced my alcoholism can only end in insanity or premature death if I continue to use addictions and do not treat my alcoholism.  Like cancer, it’s a consumer of mind and body. YES_____ NO_____     

6. I am convinced my alcoholism is a permanent condition (I will have it for life)-

            “Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic,” BUT it can be treated by using a

spiritual answer in place of addictions and resentments.   YES_____NO_____  

7. I am convinced I have to stop from starting to use my addictions to treat my alcoholism. YES_____NO_____   

8. I am convinced that I cannot treat my alcoholism on self-knowledge alone.  YES_____NO_____ 

9. I am convinced that I can never use addictions safely again.  I have to treat my alcoholism.  YES_____NO_____

10. I am convinced that I have to stop using so I can treat my alcoholism one day at a time (Just for today). YES_____NO_____   

11. I am convinced that despite any time I can achieve such as one week, one month, six months, one year, five years, ten or twenty years, if I pick up and use the first addiction again, I would, in a short time, be in the same or worse condition than I was when I quit the last time because I did not treat my alcoholism. YES_____NO_____  

12. I am convinced that I can only be defeated by an attitude of intolerance or belligerent denial – closed mind (From Spiritual Experience” Page 569). YES     NO    

13. I’m convinced that willingness, honesty, and open mindedness are the essentials of recovery.  These are indispensable (Page 570).  YES_____NO_____

14. I’m convinced that I would remain in everlasting ignorance if I was to have contempt for the complete program of recovery before I investigated (Page 570).  YES_____NO_____     

15. I’m convinced that alcoholism is the major unmanageable thing in my life.  By treating my alcoholism, I have a fighting chance with my personal relationships, my emotions, my feelings of uselessness, my fears and my unhappiness (Page 52).  YES_____NO_____ 

16. I’m convinced of the reality of my condition, not the way I think it is or the way I would like it to be.  The reality is that addictions and resentments are used to treat alcoholism.  The medical word for a person who has this condition of mind and body is alcoholic.  YES_____NO_____    

NOTES: