Working the 12 steps is a foundation of many recovery programs. "Working the steps" or "working a program" means attending meetings regularly, partnering with and working with a "sponsor" who you choose.
We've included the steps from a variety of programs on this page.
It is said that the steps are in order for a reason. The steps are made to be worked with your sponsor. A sponsor is not your therapist. You will not receive professional help from a sponsor. A sponsor should not impose his or her personal views on you. A sponsor guides you through the steps and shares their experience, strength and hope.
Wellbriety Provides a culturally appropriate 12 Step program for Native American/Alaska Natives. Based upon Teachings of the Medicine Wheel, the Cycle of Life, and the Four Laws of Change.
1.FACE THE EAST– Find the Creator
Step2 - HOPE We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could help us regain control.
Step 3 - FAITH We made a decision to ask for help from a Higher Power and others who understand. FACE THE SOUTH- finding ourselves
Step 4 - Courage We stopped and thought about our strengths and our weaknesses and thought about ourselves.
Step 5 - Integrity We admitted to the Great Spirit, to ourselves, and to another person the things we thought were wrong about ourselves.
Step 6 - Willingness We are ready, with the help of the Great Spirit, to change. FACE THE WEST - finding our relatives
Step 7- Humility We humbly ask a Higher Power and our friends to help us change.
Step 8 - Forgiveness We made a list of people who were hurt by our drinking and want to make up for these hurts.
Step 9 - Justice We are making up to those people whenever we can, except when to do so would hurt them more. FACE THE NORTH- Finding the Elders’ Wisdom
Step10 - Perseverance We continue to think about our strengths and weaknesses and when we are wrong, we say so.
Step 11 - Spiritual Awareness We pray and think about ourselves, praying only for the strength to do what is right.
Step 12 -Service We try to help other alcoholics and to practice these principals in everything we do. ----
Medicine Wheel and 12 Steps:
ACA 12 Steps Adult children of Dysfunction families
- We admitted we were powerless over the effects of living with alcoholism and that our lives had become unmanageable.
- We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could bring us clarity.
- We made a decision to practice self-love and to trust in a Higher Power of our understanding.
- We made a searching and blameless inventory of our parents because, in essence, we had become them.
- We admitted to our Higher Power, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our childhood abandonment.
- We were entirely ready to begin the healing process with the aid of our Higher Power.
- We humbly asked our Higher Power to help us with our healing process.
- We became willing to open ourselves to receive the unconditional love of our Higher Power.
- We became willing to accept our own unconditional love by understanding that our Higher Power loves us unconditionally.
- We continued to take personal inventory and to love and approve of ourselves.
- We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with our Higher Power, praying only for knowledge of its will for us and the power to carry it out.
- We have had a spiritual awakening as a result of taking these steps, and we continue to love ourselves and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
AA 12 Steps Alcoholics Anonymous
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 persons 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 alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
CoDA 12 Steps Codependents Anonymous
- 1We admitted we were powerless over others – that our lives had become unmanageable.
- 2Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
- 3Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood God.
- 4Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
- 5Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
- 6Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
- 7Humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings.
- 8Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
- 9Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
- 10Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
- 11Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood God, praying only for knowledge.
of God’s will for us and the power to carry that out. - 12Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to other codependents, and to practice
these principles in all our affairs.
- We admitted we were powerless over our emotions, 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 and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
1. We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable.
I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.
For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Romans 7:18 NIV
2. We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:13 NIV
3. We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1 NIV
4. We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord. Lamentations 3:40 NIV
5. We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. James 5:16a NIV
6. We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10 NIV
7. We humbly asked Him to remove all our shortcomings.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 NIV
8. We made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:31 NIV
9. We made direct amends to such people whenever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23-24 NIV
10. We continue to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! 1 Corinthians 10:12
11. We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us, and power to carry that out.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. Colossians 3:16a NIV
12. Having had a spiritual experience as the result of these steps, we try to carry this message to others and practice these principles in all our affairs.
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore them gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Galatians 6:1 NIV
Throughout this material, you will notice several references to the Christ-centered 12 Steps. Our prayer is that Celebrate Recovery will create a bridge to the millions of people who are familiar with the secular 12 Steps (I acknowledge the use of some material from the 12 Suggested Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous) and in so doing, introduce them to the one and only true Higher Power, Jesus Christ. Once they begin that relationship, asking Christ into their hearts as Lord and Savior, true healing and recovery can begin!
"We are warriors who wage good warfare by combating alcoholism/addiction, violence and hunger. " Written by our Founder Red Corn Gary Maloney
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