STUDY GUIDE FOR

THE TWELVE STEPS OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

DEAR COLLEAGUE, WITH THE DESIRE THAT YOU ENJOY THE JOY OF LIVING, WE WOULD LIKE
TO SHARE WITH YOU THE FOLLOWING STUDY MATERIAL ON THE TWELVE STEPS, IN ORDER
TO FACILITATE YOUR AWARENESS OF THEM. THIS MATERIAL IS BASED ON WHAT IS CALLED
"READING COMPREHENSION", WHICH INVOLVES READING AND WRITING IN THE
FOLLOWING SEQUENCE:

1. NUMBER THE (PARAGRAPH) S OF THE GLOSSES OF EACH STEP.

2. WRITE IN A NOTEBOOK THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTIONS EXTRACTED FROM THE
(PARAGRAPH) S.

BY RESPONDING OBJECTIVELY, WITH THE INTELLECT, HE OBTAINS KNOWLEDGE AND BY

RESPONDING SUBJECTIVELY, WITH THE "HEART" HE OBTAINS UNDERSTANDING. WE
SUGGEST YOU RESPOND IN BOTH WAYS AND SHARE THIS EFFORT WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES.

DON'T BE NERVOUS, BECAUSE NEWCOMERS ARE NOT ASKED TO FOLLOW THESE 12 STEPS
OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS IN THEIR ENTIRETY IF YOU FEEL YOU ARE NOT CAPABLE OR
NOT YET ABLE TO DO SO.

YOU WILL USUALLY BE ASKED TO KEEP AN OPEN MIND TO ATTEND MEETINGS WHERE
RECOVERED ALCOHOLICS DESCRIBE THEIR PERSONAL EXPERIENCES IN SEEKING SOBRIETY.
ALSO WHEN YOU ARE READING ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS BOOKS THAT EXPLAIN HOW THE
AA PROGRAM WORKS.

NEWCOMERS WILL BE TOLD THAT ONLY THEY CAN ACCEPT THEIR PROBLEM WITH
ALCOHOLISM, AND SEEK HELP FOR DETOXIFICATION IN AN ALCOHOL REHABILITATION
CENTER, BEFORE BEGINNING GROUP THERAPY IN ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS.

STEP ONE
 WE ADMITTED THAT WE WERE POWERLESS IN THE FACE OF
ALCOHOL, THAT OUR LIVES HAD
BECOME UNMANAGEABLE

1. WHY DOES NO ONE LIKE TO ADMIT ULTIMATE DEFEAT? ((PARAGRAPH 1) )

TO ALMOST NO ONE, ALL OUR NATURAL INSTINCTS REBEL AGAINST THE IDEA THAT
WE ARE IMPOTENT.

2. ON WHAT FACT IS OUR DEFEAT BASED? (PARAGRAPH 2)

ALCOHOL HAS NOW BECOME A RAPACIOUS RAIDER THAT STRIPS US OF THE

FACULTIES OF WILL TO RESIST ITS DEMANDS. WHEN WE ACCEPT THIS FACT, OUR
DEFEAT IS COMPLETE.

3. WHAT IS THE FOUNDATION OF A USEFUL AND HAPPY LIFE? (PARAGRAPH 3)

THE ACCEPTANCE OF OUR HELPLESSNESS BECOMES, FINALLY, THE FIRM

FOUNDATION ON WHICH WE CAN BUILD A USEFUL AND HAPPY LIFE.

4. WHAT IS OUR DEVASTATING WEAKNESS? (PARAGRAPH 4)

UNTIL HE HUMBLY ACKNOWLEDGES IT, HIS SOBRIETY, IF HE ACHIEVES ANY, WILL BE

VERY PRECARIOUS AND HE WILL NOT FIND TRUE HAPPINESS. LONG EXPERIENCE
PROVES BEYOND DOUBT THAT THIS IS ONE OF THE TRUTHS OF ALCOHOLICS
ANONYMOUS. IT IS THE PRINCIPLE THAT WE WILL NOT FIND LASTING STRENGTH TO
LIVE SOBER UNTIL WE ADMIT COMPLETE DEFEAT.
5. WHAT DID THEY TELL US ABOUT SELF-CONFIDENCE TOWARDS ALCOHOL?
(PARAGRAPH 5)
WE APPROACHED ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS EXPECTING TO BE TAUGHT SELF-
CONFIDENCE; AND WE WERE TOLD THAT AS FAR AS ALCOHOL IS CONCERNED, SELF-
CONFIDENCE IS USELESS; IN FACT IT IS A REAL RISK.
6. WHAT WERE WE VICTIMS OF? (PARAGRAPH 6)

OUR SPONSORS TOLD US THAT WE WERE VICTIMS OF A MENTAL OBSESSION, SO

SUBTLY INTENSE THAT NO HUMAN POWER COULD DESTROY IT. WE WERE TOLD
THAT WITH WILLPOWER ALONE, AND WITHOUT ANY
HELP, IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO OVERCOME THIS COMPULSION. RELENTLESSLY
DELVING INTO THE PROBLEM, THEY POINTED OUT TO US THAT OUR INCREASING
SUSCEPTIBILITY TO ALCOHOL THEY CALL AN ALLERGY.
7. HOW DOES THE TWO-EDGED SWORD WORK? (PARAGRAPH 6)

ALCOHOL, HAVING BECOME A TYRANT, WIELDED A TWO-EDGED SWORD AGAINST

US: FIRST, IT MADE US VICTIMS OF AN IRRATIONAL URGENCY THAT CONDEMNED
US TO CONTINUE DRINKING, AND SECOND, OF AN ORGANIC ALLERGY THAT WOULD
EVENTUALLY DESTROY US.
8. WHY CAN'T AN ALCOHOLIC SAVE HIMSELF? (PARAGRAPH 6)

FEW HAVE BEEN, WITHOUT A DOUBT, THOSE WHO IN SUCH ROUNDS HAVE
ACHIEVED VICTORY IN A HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT. IT IS A STATISTICALLY PROVEN
FACT THAT AN ALCOHOLIC CAN ALMOST NEVER BE SAVED BY HIS OWN RESOURCES.
AND THIS HAS BEEN TRUE, NO DOUBT, EVER SINCE MAN BEGAN TO DRINK WINE.

9. WHAT DIFFICULTY DID THESE DESPERATE CASES FACE? (PARAGRAPH 7)

IN THE EARLY DAYS OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, ONLY THE MOST DESPERATE

CASES WERE ABLE TO ACCEPT THIS BITTER TRUTH. EVEN THOSE DESPERATE, OFTEN
HAD DIFFICULTY REALIZING THAT THEY WERE HOPELESS, BUT THE FEW WHO
REALIZED THIS TRUTH CLUNG TO THE PRINCIPLES OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS.

10. BECAUSE THE LESS DESPERATE CASES WERE NOT SUCCESSFUL? (PARAGRAPH 7)

MANY LESS DESPERATE ALCOHOLICS TRIED TO FOLLOW OUR PROGRAM, BUT

WITHOUT SUCCESS; BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT ADMIT THEIR TOTAL INABILITY TO
CONTROL ALCOHOL.
11. HOW DID YOUNGER PEOPLE START COMING TO ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS?
(PARAGRAPH 8)
IT IS VERY SATISFYING TO NOTE THAT IN THE FOLLOWING YEARS THE SITUATION
HAS CHANGED. ALCOHOLICS WHO STILL HAVE THEIR HEALTH, FAMILY AND
ECONOMIC POSITION BEGIN TO REALIZE THEIR INABILITY TO CONTROL THEIR
DRINKING. AS THIS PROBLEM GREW, OTHER YOUNGER PEOPLE JOINED IN AND DID
NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE HELL OF THE LAST TEN OR FIFTEEN YEARS THAT
WE WENT THROUGH.
12. WHY DO WE RAISE OUR FUND? (PARAGRAPH 9)

OBVIOUSLY, IT WAS NECESSARY TO "LIFT" THE BACKGROUND THAT MANY OF US

HAD TOUCHED, SO THAT OTHERS COULD SEE IT UP CLOSE. BY REVIEWING OUR
DRINKING HISTORIES WE COULD DEMONSTRATE THAT YEARS BEFORE WE REALIZED
IT, WE HAD ALREADY LOST CONTROL; THAT SINCE THEN WE NO LONGER DRANK
OUT OF HABIT ALONE, AND THAT IT WAS ACTUALLY THE BEGINNING OF A FATAL
PROGRESSION.
13. WHAT IS SUGGESTED TO THOSE WHO DOUBT THE FATAL PROGRESSION OF
ALCOHOLISM? (PARAGRAPH 10)
PERHAPS YOU ARE NOT AN ALCOHOLIC AFTER ALL. WHY DON'T YOU TEST YOUR
DRINKING BY CONTROLLING YOURSELF AND TAKING INTO ACCOUNT WHAT WE
HAVE TOLD YOU ABOUT ALCOHOLISM?
14. WHY SO MUCH INSISTENCE THAT EVERY ALCOHOLIC NEEDS TO HIT BOTTOM
FIRST? (PARAGRAPH 11)
IS THAT VERY FEW PEOPLE WILL SINCERELY TRY TO PRACTICE THE ALCOHOLICS
ANONYMOUS PROGRAM UNLESS THEY HAVE HIT ROCK BOTTOM. BECAUSE THE
PRACTICE OF THE REMAINING ELEVEN STEPS OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
INVOLVES ATTITUDES AND ACTIONS THAT ALMOST NO ALCOHOLIC WHO STILL
 DRINKS COULD EVER DREAM OF ADOPTING.
15. WHAT DOES "WE ARE WILLING TO DO ANYTHING TO FREE OURSELVES FROM THIS
RUTHLESS OBSESSION" MEAN? (PARAGRAPH 13)
THE WHIP OF ALCOHOLISM HAS FORCED US TO GO TO ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
WHERE WE DISCOVERED THE NATURE OF OUR FATAL SITUATION; AND ONLY THEN
HAVE OUR MINDS BEEN OPENED TO CONVICTION, BECAUSE WE HAVE FELT WHAT
AGONY IS.

Reflection step
*Steps to physical recovery (1st)

*Five basic concepts:

1)
Who wants to be rigorously honest and tolerant?
2)
Who wants to confess their mistakes to another person and
3)
Repair the damage it has caused?
4)
Who is interested in knowing about a Higher Power, meditation and prayer?
5
Who is capable of sacrificing their time and energy to bring the message of ALCOHOLICS
ANONYMOUS to those who suffer?
Qualities of this step: Sincerity, honesty and tolerance.
THE SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLE : HONESTY
How to follow this first step
1. Start by being honest with yourself, overcome your denial and admit that your desire for
alcohol is an addiction, until you admit this you will not have the power to overcome it.
2. I am the only step you can take to perfection.

FIRST STEP PRAYER

Dear God, I admit that I am powerless over my alcoholism. I admit that my life is
unmanageable when I try to control it. Help me this day to understand the true meaning of
powerlessness. Remove from me all denial of my addiction.
 SECOND STEP
WE BECAME CONVINCED THAT
A HIGHER POWER COULD RESTORE US
TO SANITY.
1. WHAT IS THE DILEMMA OF THE NEWCOMER? (PARAGRAPH 1)

WE OFTEN HEAR THEM LAMENT IN THIS WAY. SEE WHAT THEY HAVE DONE TO US.
WE HAVE BEEN CONVINCED THAT WE ARE ALCOHOLICS AND THAT WE CANNOT
GOVERN OUR LIVES. AFTER REDUCING US TO A STATE OF ABSOLUTE IMPOTENCE,
THEY NOW TELL US THAT ONLY A HIGHER POWER CAN TAKE AWAY OUR OBSESSION
WITH DRINKING. SOME OF US DON'T WANT TO BELIEVE IN GOD, OTHERS CAN'T
AND EVEN THOSE OF US WHO BELIEVE IN HIM DON'T HAVE FAITH IN HIM TO DO
THIS MIRACLE. YES, YOU HAVE GOT US OUT OF THE QUAGMIRE; VERY WELL, BUT
NOW, WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
2. WHAT IS THE DIFFICULTY OF THE BELLIGERENT? (PARAGRAPH 2)

IS IN A STATE OF MIND THAT CAN BE DESCRIBED AS WILD. HIS ENTIRE PHILOSOPHY

OF LIFE, WITH WHICH HE IS SATISFIED, IS THREATENED. THINKS IT HARD ENOUGH
TO ADMIT THAT ALCOHOL HAS OVERPOWERED HIM; BUT NOW, STILL SMARTING
FROM SUCH AN ADMISSION, HE IS CONFRONTED WITH THE MAN, MAJESTICALLY
SPRUNG MAJESTICALLY FROM A SINGLE CELL OF THE PRIMORDIAL SLIME.
3. WHAT DOES THE GODFATHER SUGGEST TO THE BELLIGERENT? (PARAGRAPH 3)

THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE END. AND SO IT IS: THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF
HIS PAST LIFE AND THE REAL BEGINNING OF A NEW LIFE. YOUR SPONSOR WILL
PROBABLY TELL YOU: "YOU HAVE TO TAKE THINGS SLOWLY. THE STEP THAT HAS TO
BE TAKEN IS MORE DIFFICULT THAN YOU THINK.
4. WHY DOES THE SPONSOR INSIST ON THE THIRD SUGGESTION? (PARAGRAPH 4)

ALL THAT IS REALLY NEEDED IS TO KEEP AN OPEN MIND. REFRAIN FROM USELESS
DISCUSSIONS AND STOP WORRYING ABOUT WHETHER THE CHICKEN CAME BEFORE
THE EGG. I REPEAT: ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS KEEP AN OPEN MIND.
5. WHAT DOES IT MEAN: "CONTINUE TO RESPECT IT, BUT NO LONGER WORSHIP IT?
(PARAGRAPH 5)
BECAUSE OF THE KIND OF EDUCATION I RECEIVED, I DID NOT ACCEPT ANYTHING
WITHOUT SCIENTIFIC VERIFICATION. NATURALLY, HE RESPECTED, REVERED AND
EVEN WORSHIPPED SCIENCE. I STILL RESPECT HER, BUT I NO LONGER WORSHIP HER.
WAS INSTILLED IN ME THE BASIC PRINCIPLE OF ALL SCIENTIFIC PROGRESS: TO
INVESTIGATE AND CHECK AGAIN AND AGAIN, ALWAYS WITH AN OPEN MIND. WHEN
I FIRST CAME HERE, MY REACTION WAS LIKE YOURS. I THOUGHT: THERE IS NOTHING
SCIENTIFIC ABOUT THIS ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS BUSINESS. I CAN'T BELIEVE IN
HIM. I SIMPLY WILL NOT TAKE IT INTO ACCOUNT.
6. WHAT DOES IT MEAN: "AT THAT MOMENT THE SECOND STEP INFILTRATED
SMOOTHLY AND GRADUALLY INTO MY LIFE? (PARAGRAPH 6)
 FROM THE MOMENT I STOPPED ARGUING, I COULD BEGIN TO SEE AND FEEL. AT
THAT MOMENT THE SECOND STEP INFILTRATED SMOOTHLY AND GRADUALLY INTO
MY LIFE.
7. WHAT IS THE METHOD OF SUBSTITUTION? (PARAGRAPH 7)

THIS IS ONLY MY INDIVIDUAL OPINION BASED ON MY OWN EXPERIENCE, OF

COURSE. I MUST ASSURE YOU THAT ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS. TRAVEL COUNTLESS
ROADS IN SEARCH OF FAITH. IF YOU ARE NOT INTERESTED IN THE ONE I SUGGEST,
REST ASSURED THAT YOU WILL FIND YOURS IF YOU WATCH AND LISTEN. MORE
THAN ONE HAS STARTED TO SOLVE THEIR PROBLEM WITH THE SUBSTITUTION
METHOD.
8. WHAT IS THE SITUATION OF ALCOHOLICS WHO HAVE FALLEN INTO INDIFFERENCE?
(PARAGRAPH 8)
LET US NOW CONSIDER THE SITUATION OF THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN INTO
INDIFFERENCE, THOSE WHO ARE FULL OF SELF-SUFFICIENCY, THOSE WHO HAVE
ACQUIRED PREJUDICES AGAINST RELIGION AND THOSE WHO ARE COMPLETELY
DEFIANT BECAUSE GOD DID NOT GRANT THEM THEIR DEMANDS.
9. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A MISGUIDED PERSON, AN AGNOSTIC AND
AN ATHEIST? (PARAGRAPH 9)
RELIGION ASSURES THAT THE EXISTENCE OF GOD CAN BE PROVED; THE AGNOSTIC
SAYS THAT IT CANNOT BE PROVED; AND THE ATHEIST CLAIMS THAT IT CAN BE
PROVED THAT GOD DOES NOT EXIST. EVIDENTLY, HE WHO DEPARTS FROM THE
FAITH ENTERS INTO GREAT CONFUSION. THINKS THAT FOR HIM THERE IS NO
COMFORT IN ANY CONVICTION OF FAITH. CANNOT ACHIEVE EVEN TO A MINIMAL
DEGREE, THE SECURITY OF THE BELIEVER, THE AGNOSTIC, OR THE ATHEIST. IS A
DISORIENTED INDIVIDUAL.
10. WHAT SUGGESTIONS ARE THERE FOR THE DISORIENTED ALCOHOLIC? (PARAGRAPH
1) 0
WE TOO, AS CHILDREN, STRAYED FROM OUR FAITH. THE PRESUMPTION OF YOUTH
HURT US. WE WERE CERTAINLY GLAD THAT THE HOME AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
PROVIDED US WITH CERTAIN VALUES. WE STILL HAD THE ASSURANCE OF BEING
HONEST, TOLERANT AND FAIR, AND TO SOME EXTENT AMBITIOUS AND
HARDWORKING. WE BELIEVED THAT THESE SIMPLE RULES OF CONDUCT AND
DECORUM WOULD SUFFICE.
11. WHAT HAPPENS TO INTELLECTUALLY SELF-SUFFICIENT WOMEN AND MEN?
(PARAGRAPH 1) 2
IT IS VERY SATISFYING TO NOTE THAT IN THE FOLLOWING YEARS THE SITUATION
HAS CHANGED. ALCOHOLICS WHO STILL HAVE THEIR HEALTH, FAMILY AND
ECONOMIC POSITION BEGIN TO REALIZE THEIR INABILITY TO CONTROL THEIR
DRINKING. AS THIS PROBLEM GREW, OTHER YOUNGER PEOPLE JOINED IN AND DID
NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE HELL OF THE LAST TEN OR FIFTEEN YEARS THAT
WE WENT THROUGH.
12. WHAT ARE THE SUGGESTIONS FOR THOSE WHO ARE FULL OF SELF-SUFFICIENCY?
(PARAGRAPH 1) 3
IN ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WE FIND MANY OTHERS WHO ONCE THOUGHT LIKE
 US. THEY HELPED US TO REALIZE OUR REALITY. BY THEIR EXAMPLE THEY SHOWED
US THAT HUMILITY AND INTELLECT CAN BE COMPATIBLE, AS LONG AS HUMILITY IS
PUT FIRST. WHEN WE BEGIN TO WORK ON THIS, WE RECEIVE THE GIFT OF FAITH:
FAITH THAT WORKS.

13. WHAT ARE THE VIEWS OF THOSE WHO HAVE ACQUIRED PREJUDICE AGAINST
RELIGION? (PARAGRAPH 1) 4
AFTER JOINING ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, WE RECOGNIZED THAT THIS WAY OF
THINKING WAS FOSTERING OUR SELF-CENTEREDNESS. WE FELT SUPERIOR WHEN
OBSERVING THE SINS OF RELIGIOUS PEOPLE. WE COULD NOT SEE OUR OWN
SHORTCOMINGS. WE HAD JUDGED WITH DISDAIN THOSE WHO WERE HIGHLY PAID
FOR THEIR RIGHTEOUSNESS, WITHOUT REALIZING THAT WHAT WE CENSURED
MOST IN OTHERS WAS THE DEFECT THAT MOST BURDENED US. WE CREATE A FALSE
SITUATION FOR OURSELVES THAT WE ONLY BEGIN TO REALIZE WHEN WE ENTER
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS.
14. WHAT HAVE PSYCHIATRISTS NOTICED? (PARAGRAPH 1) 5

PSYCHIATRISTS HAVE OFTEN FOUND THAT DEFIANCE IS A PREVAILING ATTITUDE,

CHARACTERISTIC OF MORE THAN ONE ALCOHOLIC. SO THAT IT IS NOT STRANGE
THAT MANY OF US WOULD HAVE DEFIED GOD HIMSELF.
15. WHY DID MANY OF US THINK THAT GOD HAD ABANDONED US? (PARAGRAPH 1) 5

IN ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WE HAVE SEEN THE RESULTS OF THIS BELIEF: MEN

AND WOMEN SAVED FROM THE CATASTROPHE OF ALCOHOL. WE HAVE SEEN THEM
FACE DIFFICULT SITUATIONS WITH SERENITY, WITHOUT AVOIDING THEM AND
WITHOUT RECRIMINATIONS, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. THIS IS NOT ACHIEVED
SIMPLY BY FAITH ALONE, BUT BY WORKS. WE SOON CAME TO THE CONCLUSION
THAT WE WERE WILLING TO PAY ANYTHING TO ACHIEVE HUMILITY.
16. WHAT IS THE DILEMMA OF THE ALCOHOLIC WHO THINKS HE IS DEVOUT?
(PARAGRAPH 1) 7
IS SURE HE BELIEVES IN GOD, BUT SUSPECTS THAT GOD DOES NOT BELIEVE IN HIM.
MAKES PROMISES AND MORE PROMISES, BUT AFTER EACH ONE OF THEM HE NOT
ONLY GOES BACK TO DRINKING, BUT HIS SITUATION GETS PROGRESSIVELY WORSE.
BRAVELY TRIES TO FIGHT ALCOHOL WITH GOD'S HELP, BUT THAT HELP DOESN'T
COME.
17. WHY DOES THE SOLUTION DEPEND ON THE QUALITY OF FAITH? (PARAGRAPH 1) 8

THE SOLUTION DEPENDS ON THE QUALITY OF FAITH, RATHER THAN QUANTITY. WE

DID NOT SEE THIS. WE DID NOT SEE THIS. WE THOUGHT WE WERE HUMBLE WHEN
IN FACT WE WERE NOT. WE THOUGHT WE WERE SERIOUS ABOUT PRACTICING OUR
RELIGION WHEN IN REALITY WE WERE ONLY SUPERFICIAL. OR, GOING TO THE
OTHER EXTREME, WE WERE WALLOWING IN A SENTIMENTALITY THAT WE MISTOOK
FOR TRUE RELIGIOUS SENTIMENT. IN BOTH CASES WE WERE ASKING FOR
SOMETHING FOR NOTHING.
18. WHY CAN'T WE BEAR THE IDEA THAT WE ARE MENTALLY ILL? (PARAGRAPH 1) 9
 FEW ACTIVE ALCOHOLICS HAVE ANY IDEA HOW IRRATIONAL THEY ARE, OR, IF THEY
REALIZE IT, CAN FACE THE FACT. SOME ACCEPT BEING CLASSIFIED AS PROBLEM
DRINKERS, BUT CANNOT STAND THE IDEA THAT THEY ARE MENTALLY ILL.
19. WHAT DOES EVERY MEETING OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS MEAN TO US?
(PARAGRAPH 2) 0
TRUE HUMILITY AND AN UNPREJUDICED MIND CAN LEAD US TO FAITH; AND EVERY
MEETING OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS IS AN ASSURANCE THAT GOD WILL
RESTORE US TO SANITY, IF WE TRUST IN HIM.
**Steps to mental recovery (2nd) (2o. to 5th)
Reflection step
Qualities of this step: Open mind, faith and humility.

THE SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLE: HOPE

Personality types in ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (4)

1 The belligerent, 2 The self-sufficient, 3 The intellectually self-sufficient, 4 The faith-filled.

*Obstacles of the believers (4) (PARAGRAPH 9).

1) Indifference,
2) fantasies of self-sufficiency,
3) prejudices and
4) stubborn opposition, are sometimes greater obstacles than those faced by agnostics and
even militant atheists.

Religion asserts that the existence of God can be proved; the agnostic says that it cannot be
proved; and the atheist claims that it can be proved that God does not exist. Evidently, he
who departs from the faith enters into great confusion. He thinks that for him there is no
comfort in any conviction of faith. It cannot achieve even to the slightest degree, the security
of the believer, the agnostic, or the atheist. He is a disoriented individual.

How to follow this second step

Admit that you are not capable of overcoming alcohol addiction on your own, you must seek
help and faith and believe that alcohol addiction can be overcome by anyone but that you
will need the help of others.

SECOND STEP PRAYER

Father in heaven, I know in my heart that only You can restore me to sanity. I humbly ask
you to remove from me this day, all twisted thinking and addictive behavior. Heal my spirit
and give me back a clear mind.
 STEP THREE
WE DECIDED TO PLACE OUR WILL
AND OUR LIFE IN GOD'S CARE,
AS WE CONCEIVE IT.
1. WHAT DOES GOODWILL IMPLY? (PARAGRAPH 1)

IS LIKE OPENING A PADLOCKED DOOR. ALL THAT IS NEEDED IS A KEY AND THE
DECISION TO OPEN IT. THERE IS ONLY ONE KEY, AND IT IS CALLED *1)GOODWILL. -
WHEN OUR GOOD WILL HAS REMOVED THE PADLOCK, THE DOOR OPENS ALMOST
OF ITS OWN ACCORD; AND LOOKING IN, WE WILL SEE A PATH BESIDE WHICH IS AN
INSCRIPTION THAT SAYS: "THIS IS THE WAY TO FAITH THAT WORKS".

2. WHAT DOES THE EFFICIENCY OF THE ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS PROGRAM

DEPEND ON? (PARAGRAPH 2)
IT REQUIRES FIRM ACTION; BECAUSE ONLY BY ACTING CAN WE FREE OURSELVES
FROM THE SELFISHNESS THAT HAS ALWAYS PREVENTED THE ENTRANCE OF GOD,
OR IF YOU PREFER -A HIGHER POWER-, INTO OUR LIVES. FAITH IS UNDOUBTEDLY
NECESSARY, BUT FAITH ALONE WILL ACHIEVE NOTHING.

3. WHAT IS NEEDED TO PRACTICE THE THIRD STEP? (PARAGRAPH 3)

ONCE WE HAVE OPENED THE PADLOCK WITH THE KEY OF GOODWILL AND OPENED
THE DOOR THAT WAS CLOSING, WE REALIZE THAT WE CAN ALWAYS OPEN IT A
LITTLE MORE. EVEN IF OUR STUBBORNNESS CLOSES THE DOOR, AS OFTEN
HAPPENS, WE CAN ALWAYS OPEN IT AGAIN WITH THE KEY OF OUR GOOD WILL.

4. IN WHAT SENSE DOES THE FELLOWSHIP OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS BECOME A

PROVIDENCE? (PARAGRAPH 4)
ANY NEWCOMER OF GOOD WILL FEELS CERTAIN THAT ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS IS
THE ONLY SAFE HARBOR FOR THE SINKING SHIP HE HAS BECOME. IF THIS IS NOT
SURRENDERING OUR LIFE AND OUR WILL TO A NEWFOUND PROVIDENCE, THEN IT
IS THE ONLY SAFE HARBOR FOR THE SINKING SHIP HE HAS BECOME.

5. HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THE PARADOX "DEPENDENCE AS PRACTICED BY

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS IS REALLY A WAY TO ACHIEVE INDEPENDENCE"?
(PARAGRAPH 5)
THE MORE WILLING WE ARE TO DEPEND ON A HIGHER POWER, THE MORE
INDEPENDENT WE ARE IN REALITY -THEREFORE, DEPENDENCE, AS PRACTICED BY
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, IS ACTUALLY A WAY TO ACHIEVE TRUE SPIRITUAL
INDEPENDENCE.

6. WHY ARE WE NOT AFFECTED BY DEPENDENCIES IN EVERYDAY LIFE? (PARAGRAPH

6)
IT IS AMAZING TO DISCOVER IN THIS AREA HOW MUCH WE ACTUALLY DEPEND ON
AND HOW AWARE WE ARE OF THIS. EVERY HOUSE HAS AN ELECTRICAL
INSTALLATION THAT CONDUCTS ELECTRICITY INTO THE HOUSE. WE ARE SATISFIED
 WITH THIS DEPENDENCE; WE CERTAINLY DO NOT WANT ANYTHING TO INTERRUPT
THE ENERGY SUPPLY. BY ACCEPTING OUR DEPENDENCE ON THIS MARVEL, WE
PERSONALLY FEEL MORE INDEPENDENT. NOT ONLY ARE WE MORE INDEPENDENT,
BUT WE ARE ALSO MORE COMFORTABLE AND MORE CONFIDENT. STRENGTH
FLOWS WHERE IT IS NEEDED. ELECTRICITY, QUIETLY AND SAFELY SATISFIES OUR
MOST INSIGNIFICANT DAILY NEEDS, AS WELL AS OTHER MORE IMPORTANT ONES.

7. WHATARE THE REACTIONS TO MENTAL OR EMOTIONAL DEPENDENCIES?

(PARAGRAPH 7)
WE CLAIM THE RIGHT TO DECIDE FOR OURSELVES, HOW TO THINK AND HOW TO
ACT. OF COURSE WE CONSIDER BOTH SIDES OF THE ISSUE, AND WE LISTEN
CAREFULLY TO THOSE WHO ADVISE US, BUT ALL DECISIONS ARE MADE BY US. NO
ONE IS GOING TO MESS WITH OUR PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE. WE ALSO BELIEVE
THAT WE SHOULD NOT TRUST ANYONE. WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT OUR
INTELLIGENCE, BACKED BY OUR WILLPOWER, CAN WELL CONTROL OUR INNER LIVES
AND GUARANTEE US SUCCESS IN THIS WORLD.

8. WHY DOES THE PHILOSOPHY BASED ON THE VAINGLORY OF ONE'S OWN

RIGHTEOUSNESS NOT WORK? (PARAGRAPH 8)
THE SAME IS TRUE EVERYWHERE IN THE FIELD OF INDIVIDUALISM. THE RESULT OF
ALL THIS POWERFUL EFFORT IS: LESS PEACE AND LESS FRATERNITY. THE
PHILOSOPHY BASED ON THE VAINGLORY OF ONE'S OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS IS NOT
GIVING SATISFACTORY RESULTS. IS CLEARLY LEADING TO RUIN.

9. WHAT DECISION DO WE WANT TO MAKE NOW? (PARAGRAPH 9)

THEREFORE, WE HAVE ACQUIRED THE FUNDAMENTALS OF FAITH, AND NOW WE

WANT TO MAKE A DECISION TO PLACE OUR WILL AND OUR LIFE IN THE CARE OF A
HIGHER POWER, AS EACH ONE CONCEIVES IT.

10. HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THAT A GROUP'S DEPENDENCE ON ALCOHOLICS

ANONYMOUS OR A HIGHER POWER HAS NO DETRIMENTAL RESULTS?
(PARAGRAPH 1) 0

THIS FORM OF DEFECTIVE DEPENDENCE HAS BEEN THE CAUSE OF MANY

REBELLIOUS ALCOHOLICS COMING TO THE CONCLUSION THAT DEPENDENCE IN ANY
FORM IS HARMFUL. BUT DEPENDENCE ON A GROUP OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
OR ON A HIGHER POWER HAS HAD NO HARMFUL RESULTS.
11. HOW DO WE CONVINCE OURSELVES THAT WE HAVE OTHER PROBLEMS BESIDES
ALCOHOLISM? (PARAGRAPH 1) 2

OUR FRIEND IS STILL

(1) VICTIM OF REMORSE AND THE
(2) SENSE OF GUILT, WHEN THINKING ABOUT YESTERDAY.
(3) AFFLICTION OVERPOWERS HIM WHEN HE THINKS OF THOSE WHOM HE STILL
HATES OR ENVIES.
(4) HIS ECONOMIC INSECURITY WORRIES HIM TO THE POINT OF MAKING HIM SICK.
 (5) PANIC OVERCOMES HIM WHEN HE THINKS OF ALL THE DOORS THAT ALCOHOL
HAS CLOSED TO HIM.
(6) AND HOW IS HE GOING TO FIX THAT PROBLEM THAT MADE HIM LOSE THE
ESTEEM OF HIS FAMILY AND DISTANCE HIMSELF FROM THEM? WITH HIS SOLITARY
COURAGE AND WITHOUT ANYONE'S HELP, HE WILL NOT SUCCEED. SURELY HE NOW
NEEDS TO DEPEND ON "SOMETHING OR SOMEONE"-.
12. HOW CAN WE PLACE OUR WILL AND OUR LIFE IN THE CARE OF A HIGHER POWER?
(PARAGRAPH 1) 2
WE HAVE SEEN THAT HE HAS BEGUN TO ACHIEVE THIS, BY TRUSTING ALCOHOLICS
ANONYMOUS WITH THE SOLUTION TO HIS ALCOHOL PROBLEM.
13. WHAT ROLE DOES THE SPONSOR PLAY IN THIS PROCESS? (PARAGRAPH 1) 3

OF COURSE HIS SPONSOR INDICATES THAT OUR FRIEND'S LIFE IS STILL

UNCONTROLLABLE IN SPITE OF HIS SOBRIETY, AND THAT AFTER ALL HE IS ONLY AT
THE BEGINNING OF THE PROGRAM OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS A MORE
PROLONGED SOBRIETY, BY HIS ADMISSION THAT HE IS AN ALCOHOLIC AND BY HIS
ATTENDANCE AT VARIOUS MEETINGS, IS ALL VERY WELL OF COURSE; BUT MOST
LIKELY THIS STATE IS STILL FAR FROM PERMANENT SOBRIETY AND A CONTENTED
AND USEFUL LIFE.A LONGER SOBRIETY, BY HIS ADMISSION THAT HE IS AN
ALCOHOLIC AND BY HIS ATTENDANCE AT VARIOUS MEETINGS, IS ALL VERY WELL OF
COURSE; BUT MOST LIKELY THIS STATE IS STILL FAR FROM SIGNIFYING A
PERMANENT SOBRIETY AND A SATISFIED AND USEFUL LIFE.
14. WHAT CAN THE NEWCOMER DO ON HIS OWN? (PARAGRAPH 1) 4

THIS STATEMENT MAY COME AS A SURPRISE TO NEWCOMERS WHO HAVE

EXPERIENCED NOTHING BUT CONTINUED DISCOURAGEMENT AND A GROWING
CONVICTION THAT HUMAN WILL IS WORTHLESS. HAS BEEN PERSUADED, AND
RIGHTLY SO, THAT IN ADDITION TO THE ALCOHOL PROBLEM, MANY OTHERS
CANNOT BE OVERCOME BY A COURAGEOUS ONSLAUGHT ALONE, IF THE STRENGTH
COMES FROM THE ISOLATED INDIVIDUAL. BUT FOR NOW IT SEEMS THAT THERE
ARE CERTAIN THINGS THAT THE PATIENT CAN DO ON HIS OWN. ACCORDING TO THE
PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES, AND ON ITS OWN, IT NEEDS TO DEVELOP THE
QUALITY OF GOODWILL. WHEN HE ACQUIRES THE GOOD WILL, HE HIMSELF WILL BE
ABLE TO DECIDE TO MAKE AN EFFORT. TO TRY TO ACHIEVE IT IS AN ACT OF THEIR
OWN FREE WILL. ALL TWELVE STEPS REQUIRE AN INDIVIDUAL EFFORT BY THE
INDIVIDUAL, IN ORDER TO CONFORM TO HIS PRINCIPLES, AND THUS TO GOD'S
WILL.
15. WHEN DO WE USE THE FACULTY OF WILL PROPERLY? (PARAGRAPH 1) 5

WHEN WE BEGIN TO MOLD OUR WILL TO GOD'S WILL, THAT IS WHEN WE BEGIN TO
USE IT PROPERLY. FOR ALL OF US THIS HAS BEEN AN ADMIRABLE REVELATION. OUR
EVIL HAS BEEN THE MISUSE OF WILLPOWER.
16. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO AVOID EMOTIONAL, MENTAL OR INDECISIVE
DISTURBANCES? (PARAGRAPH 1) 6
WE CAN PAUSE AND SAY "GOD, GRANT ME THE SERENITY TO ACCEPT THE THINGS I
CANNOT CHANGE. COURAGE TO CHANGE THE ONES I CAN AND; WISDOM TO KNOW
 THE DIFFERENCE. THY WILL BE DONE AND NOT MINE".
*Qualities of this step: (4)
1.- Goodwill (intention to do things right) 2.
Means to achieve it,
3.-Sincerity,
4.- Formality.
Action step.
Newcomer's problems (6)
(1) victim of remorse and the
(2) sense of guilt, when thinking about yesterday.
(3) Grief overcomes him when he thinks of those he still hates or envies.
(4) His economic insecurity worries him to the point of making him sick.
(5) Panic overcomes him when he thinks of all the doors that alcohol has closed
to him.
(6) And how are you going to fix that problem that made you lose the esteem of
your family and distance yourself from them?

**ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS program First: a program of life, then a rule of life.

** EGOTISM - Excess of Ego, Exaggerated feeling of one's own personality.

***ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS program First: a program of life, then a rule of life.

THE SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLE: FAITH

How to follow this third step

Search for superior strength. You can't do this on your own, believe that God can help you
and pray for help every day.

THIRD STEP PRAYER

God, I offer myself to You to work in me and to do Your will for me. Deliver me from my own
enchainment, that I may better fulfill Thy will. Deliver me from my difficulties and may the
victory over them be the testimony to those whom I help of Your power, Your love and the
way You want us to live. May I always do your will.
 FOURTH STEP

WITHOUT FEAR WE MADE A THOROUGH

MORAL INVENTORY OF OURSELVES.
1. WHY WERE WE GIVEN THE GIFTS BY THE CREATOR? (PARAGRAPH 1)
CREATION ENDOWED US WITH *INSTINCTS FOR A PURPOSE, WITHOUT THEM WE
WOULD NOT BE COMPLETE HUMAN BEINGS. THUS, THESE DESIRES-FOR SEXUAL
RELATIONSHIP, FOR MATERIAL AND EMOTIONAL SECURITY, AND FOR
COMPANIONSHIP-ARE PERFECTLY JUST AND NECESSARY, AND ARE INDEED GIFTS
FROM GOD.

2. WHAT ARE EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS? (PARAGRAPH 2)

OUR DESIRES FOR SEX, FOR MATERIAL AND EMOTIONAL SECURITY, AND FOR AN
IMPORTANT POSITION IN SOCIETY SOMETIMES TYRANNIZE US. -WHEN MAN'S
NATURAL DESIRES ARE OUT OF JOINT, THEY CAUSE HIM SERIOUS DIFFICULTIES. NO
HUMAN BEING, NO MATTER HOW GOOD, IS EXEMPT FROM THIS.

3. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN OUR INSTINCTS TAKE OVER? (PARAGRAPH 2)

IT CAN BE SAID THAT ALMOST ALL EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS ARE CASES OF

MISDIRECTED INSTINCTS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, OUR NATURAL "ACTIVE" INSTINCTS
BECOME PHYSICAL AND MENTAL RISKS.

4. WHAT HELPS US TO DISCOVER THE FOURTH STEP? (PARAGRAPH 3)

THE FOURTH STEP IS A LABORIOUS AND VIGOROUS EFFORT TO DISCOVER WHAT

THESE RISKS HAVE BEEN, AND ARE, IN US. WE WANT TO DISCOVER EXACTLY HOW,
WHEN AND WHERE THESE RISKS DEFORMED OUR NATURAL INSTINCTS. WE WANT
TO FACE THE MISFORTUNE, WHICH SHE HAS CAUSED TO OTHERS AND TO
OURSELVES.

5. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE INSIST ON DEPENDING ON OTHER PEOPLE?

(PARAGRAPH 5)
VERY OFTEN WE SEE THE FRIGHTENED HUMAN BEING, WHO INSISTS ON
DEPENDING ON ANOTHER STRONGER PERSON TO GUIDE AND PROTECT HIM. THIS
WEAK BEING, UNABLE TO FACE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF LIFE WITH HIS OWN
RESOURCES, NEVER GROWS, AND DISILLUSIONMENT AND HELPLESSNESS ARE HIS
DESTINY. EVENTUALLY HIS PROTECTORS FLEE OR DIE, AND HE IS LEFT ALONE AND
FRIGHTENED.

6. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DO NOT DEVOTE OURSELVES TO COMMANDING OUR

FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS? (PARAGRAPH 6)
WE HAVE ALSO SEEN HUMAN BEINGS WHOSE POWER MAKES THEM LOSE THEIR
MINDS; WHO DEDICATE THEMSELVES TO COMMANDING THEIR FELLOW MEN.
THESE PEOPLE OFTEN SQUANDER THE OPPORTUNITIES PRESENTED TO THEM TO
ACHIEVE LEGITIMATE SECURITY AND HAPPINESS IN THEIR HOME.
7. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE UNREASONABLY IMPOSE OUR INSTINCTS ON OTHERS?
(PARAGRAPH 7)
WHENEVER SOMEONE UNREASONABLY IMPOSES HIS OWN INSTINCTS ON OTHERS,
MISFORTUNE FOLLOWS. IF IN THE PURSUIT OF WEALTH (MATERIAL SECURITY) YOU
RUN OVER THOSE WHO CROSS YOUR PATH, YOU WILL PROVOKE ANGER, ENVY AND
REVENGE. IF SEX (SEXUAL INSTINCT) IS REVOLTED, IT WILL PROVOKE AN EQUAL
UPROAR. THE EXAGGERATED DEMANDS OF ATTENTION, PROTECTION AND
AFFECTION TO ANOTHER (EMOTIONAL SECURITY) PROPITIATE TYRANNY AND
REPULSION IN THESE PEOPLE, TWO EMOTIONS AS UNHEALTHY AS THE SAME ONES
THAT PROVOKED THEM. WHEN THE INDIVIDUAL'S DESIRE FOR PRESTIGE (SOCIAL
INSTINCT) BECOMES UNCONTROLLABLE, WHETHER IN A CIRCLE OF FRIENDS OR AT
THE TABLE OF AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE, OTHERS ARE HURT AND OFTEN
REBEL.
8. WHY DO WE SAY THAT ALCOHOLISM IS A PERVERSE DISEASE OF THE SOUL?
(PARAGRAPH 8)
WE HAVE DRUNK TO ESCAPE FEAR, FRUSTRATION AND DEPRESSION. (SECURITY
INSTINCT) WE HAVE DRUNK TO ESCAPE THE GUILT CAUSED BY THE PASSIONS; AND
THEN WE HAVE DRANK TO ACHIEVE MORE PASSIONS.(SEXUAL INSTINCT) WE HAVE
DRUNK FOR VAINGLORY, TO ENJOY THE WILDEST DREAMS OF POMP AND MIGHT.
(SOCIAL INSTINCT). IT IS NOT PLEASANT TO CONTEMPLATE THIS PERVERSE DISEASE
OF THE SOUL. THE INSTINCTS IN TURMOIL HINDER RESEARCH, BECAUSE THE
MOMENT WE TRY TO PROBE THEM, WE ARE SUBJECT TO SUFFER SEVERAL TYPES OF
REACTIONS
9. WHAT ARE WE PRONE TO IF, TEMPERAMENTALLY, WE ARE ON THE DEPRESSIVE
SIDE? (PARAGRAPH 9)
IF TEMPERAMENTALLY WE ARE ON THE DEPRESSIVE SIDE, WE ARE PRONE TO BE
OVERWHELMED BY THE FEELING OF GUILT AND DISGUST, OF OURSELVES. WE
WALLOW IN THIS MIRE OF SENTIMENTALITY, GIVING RISE TO A DEFORMED AND
PAINFUL PLEASURE.
10. WHAT IS OUR REACTION IF WE ARE INCLINED TOWARDS PHARISAISM OR
GRANDIOSITY? (PARAGRAPH 1) 0
IF, ON THE OTHER HAND, OUR NATURAL WAY OF THINKING LEANS TOWARD
PHARISAISM OR GRANDIOSITY, OUR REACTION WILL BE THE OPPOSITE. WE WILL BE
BOTHERED BY THE SUGGESTION MADE BY ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS ABOUT THE
MORAL INVENTORY.
11. WHAT PRETEXT DO WE USE TO AVOID OUR INVENTORY? (PARAGRAPH 1) 2

WE ALSO CLING TO ANOTHER PRETEXT TO TRY TO EVADE OUR INVENTORY. WE

LAMENT THAT OUR CURRENT ANXIETIES AND DIFFICULTIES ARE CAUSED BY THE
BEHAVIOR OF OTHER PEOPLE AND THAT IT IS REALLY THEY WHO NEED A MORAL
INVENTORY. WE FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT OUR INDIGNATION IS JUSTIFIED AND
REASONABLE, AND THAT OUR RESENTMENTS ARE JUSTIFIED. WE THINK: WE ARE
NOT TO BLAME. THEY ARE THEM.
12. HOW DO OUR SPONSORS COME TO THE RESCUE AT THESE STAGES OF OUR
 INVENTORY? (PARAGRAPH 1) 2
REASSURE THE NEWCOMER BY FIRST SHOWING HIM THAT HIS CASE IS NOT
STRANGE OR DIFFERENT, AND THAT HIS DEFECTS OF CHARACTER ARE NO MORE
NUMEROUS OR WORSE THAN THOSE OF ANY OTHER PERSON IN ALCOHOLICS
ANONYMOUS; THIS THE SPONSOR MAKES CLEAR TO HIM BY SPEAKING FRANKLY
AND WITHOUT EXHIBITIONISM, OF SOME OF HIS OWN PERSONAL DEFECTS, PAST
OR PRESENT. THIS OBJECTIVE WAY OF SPEAKING TO YOU IS VERY REASSURING AND
ENCOURAGING. THE SPONSOR WILL ADVISE THE NEWCOMER THAT HE MAY HAVE
SOME QUALITIES TO SUBSCRIBE, APART FROM HIS RISKS. THIS LEADS TO DISPEL
MORBIDITY AND ENCOURAGE SANITY. THE NEWCOMER CAN BEGIN TO REALIZE HIS
OWN SHORTCOMINGS, AS SOON AS HE STARTS TO BECOME MORE OBJECTIVE.

13. WHAT PROBLEM DO THE SPONSORS OF THOSE OF US WHO DO NOT WANT TO

TAKE OUR INVENTORY FACE? (PARAGRAPH 1) 3
THE SPONSORS OF THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE THEY NEED THE INVENTORY FACE
ANOTHER KIND OF PROBLEM, BECAUSE PEOPLE DRIVEN BY SELF-LOVE DO NOT
REALIZE THE RISK THEY ARE TAKING. THE PROBLEM IS TO HELP THEM FIND A CRACK
IN THE PRISON THAT THEIR PRIDE HAS LOCKED THEM IN, SO THAT THE LIGHT OF
REASON CAN REACH THEM.
14. WHAT MADE US BELIEVE THAT WE WERE ALWAYS RIGHT? (PARAGRAPH 1) 4

FOR MOST OF US, THE BELIEF THAT WE WERE ALWAYS RIGHT GAVE RISE TO OUR
JUSTIFICATIONS; OF COURSE, JUSTIFICATIONS FOR OUR DRINKING AND OUR
HARMFUL BEHAVIOR. WE HAD MADE AN ART OF MAKING EXCUSES. WE HAD TO
DRINK BECAUSE OUR SITUATION WAS BAD OR BECAUSE IT WAS GOOD. (MATERIAL
SECURITY) WE HAD TO DRINK BECAUSE AT HOME WE WERE BURDENED WITH
AFFECTION OR BECAUSE WE WERE NOT LOVED. (EMOTIONAL SECURITY) WE HAD
TO DRINK BECAUSE WE SUCCEEDED IN OUR WORK OR BECAUSE WE FAILED AT IT.
WE HAD TO DRINK BECAUSE OUR TEAM HAD WON OR LOST (SOCIAL INSTINCT).
AND BECAUSE OF ALL THIS AND A THOUSAND OTHER THINGS WE ALWAYS DRANK.
15. WHAT WE LEARNED LITTLE BY LITTLE IN ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS)
(PARAGRAPH) 16
WE GRADUALLY LEARNED THAT WE HAD TO PUT SOME SOLUTION TO OUR
VINDICTIVE RESENTMENTS, SELF-PITY AND UNJUSTIFIABLE PRIDE. WE REALIZED
THAT WITH OUR BLUSTER WE WERE TURNING ON EACH OTHER. WE REALIZED THAT
WHEN WE HARBORED ILL WILL AND TRIED TO AVENGE THESE FAILURES, WE WERE
ACTUALLY HITTING OURSELVES WITH THE STICK OF ANGER THAT WE INTENDED TO
USE AGAINST OTHERS. WE ALSO LEARNED THAT IF WE WERE SERIOUSLY
DISTURBED, OUR FIRST NEED WAS TO CALM THAT DISTURBANCE NO MATTER WHO
OR WHAT CAUSED IT.
16. WHY DID WE HAVE TO ADMIT, FIRST OF ALL, THAT WE WERE FULL OF FLAWS?
(PARAGRAPH 1) 7
FIRST OF ALL WE HAD TO ADMIT THAT WE WERE FULL OF THESE DEFECTS, EVEN
THOUGH SUCH ADMISSIONS WERE PAINFUL AND HUMILIATING. WHEN IT CAME TO
OTHERS, WE HAD TO REMOVE THE WORD "GUILT" FROM OUR CONVERSATION AND
OUR THINKING. THIS REQUIRED A LOT OF GOODWILL FROM THE BEGINNING.
17. WHAT HAPPENED WHEN WE OVERCAME THE FIRST OBSTACLES? (PARAGRAPH 1) 7

BUT ONCE WE OVERCAME THE FIRST OBSTACLES, THE ROAD BECAME EASIER TO
TRAVEL, BECAUSE WE HAD BEGUN TO SEE OURSELVES INWARDLY, THAT IS, WE
WERE GAINING IN *1)HUMILITY.
18. WHY SHOULD EACH OF US HAVE TO DETERMINE WHAT OUR CHARACTER FLAWS
ARE? (PARAGRAPH 1) 8
HUMAN BEINGS ARE NOT EQUAL, SO EACH OF US IN MAKING OUR INVENTORY WILL
NEED TO DETERMINE WHAT OUR INDIVIDUAL CHARACTER FLAWS ARE. ONCE WE
FIND THE RIGHT SHOES FOR US, WE WILL WALK WITH THE CONFIDENCE THAT WE
ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK.
19. WHAT GENERATES CHARACTER DEFECTS? (PARAGRAPH 2) 1

ALL THESE DEFECTS GENERATE FEAR, A DISEASE OF THE SOUL IN AND OF ITSELF.
FEAR IN TURN GENERATES OTHER DEFECTS OF CHARACTER.EL MIEDO IRRAZONABLE
NOS IMPULSA A CODICIAR BIENES AJENOS (AVARICIA), AL DESEO INMODERADO DE
SATISFACCIONES SEXUALES (LUJURIA) Y DE PODERÍWE BECOME ANGRY WHEN THE
DEMANDS OF OUR INSTINCTS ARE THREATENED (ANGER), WE BECOME ENVIOUS
WHEN THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OTHERS ARE REALIZED WHILE THOSE OF OURSELVES
ARE NOT (ENVY).WE EAT, DRINK AND SNATCH MORE THAN WE NEED IN FEAR THAT
WE WILL NOT GET ENOUGH (GLUTTONY). AND WITH GENUINE ALARM AT WORK,
WE REMAIN APATHETIC. WE SLACK OFF AND PROCRASTINATE AND WORK AT BEST,
AT HALF OUR CAPACITY AND RELUCTANTLY (LAZINESS). THESE FEARS ARE THE
MOTH THAT RELENTLESSLY DEVOURS THE FOUNDATION OF ANY KIND OF LIFE WE
TRY TO BUILD.
20. WHAT ARE THE FIRST FRUITS OF THE FOURTH STEP? (PARAGRAPH 2) 2

ONCE WE HAVE THE GOOD WILL TO TAKE INVENTORY AND MAKE A

CONSCIENTIOUS EFFORT TO ACCOMPLISH THIS TASK, THE LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE
THIS DARK PATH. AS WE PERSEVERE, A WHOLE NEW CONFIDENCE IS BORN, AND
THE RELIEF OF FACING OURSELVES IS INDESCRIBABLE. THESE ARE THE FIRST FRUITS
OF THE FOURTH STEP.
21. WHAT ARE THE NEWCOMER'S CONCLUSIONS? (PARAGRAPH 2) 3

THEN THE NEWCOMER PROBABLY ALREADY HAS THE FOLLOWING CONCLUSIONS:

THAT HIS DEFECTS OF CHARACTER, REPRESENTING HIS DEVIANT INSTINCTS, HAVE
BEEN THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF HIS DRINKING AND HIS FAILURE IN LIFE, AND THAT
UNLESS HE IS WILLING TO FIGHT HARD TO ELIMINATE THE MORE SERIOUS ONES,
THE SOBRIETY AND THE LITTLE MENTAL SERENITY HE HAS ACQUIRED WILL BE LOST.

22. WHY IS IT SAID THAT THE FOURTH STEP IS THE BEGINNING OF A LIFELONG HABIT?
(PARAGRAPH 2) 4
THE FOURTH STEP IS THE BEGINNING OF A LIFELONG HABIT, IT IS SUGGESTED TO
FIRST EXAMINE THOSE DEFECTS THAT ARE MOST NOTICEABLE AND HAVE CAUSED
THE MOST DIFFICULTIES. ACCORDING TO THE GOOD JUDGMENT OF WHAT HAS
BEEN RIGHT AND WRONG, A PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF THE BEHAVIOR WITH
RESPECT TO THE PRIMARY INSTINCTS, SEXUAL, MATERIAL AND EMOTIONAL
 SECURITY, AND SOCIAL, CAN BE MADE.
23. WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS OF EMOTIONAL INSECURITY?
(PARAGRAPH 2) 9
THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS (EFFECTS) OF EMOTIONAL INSECURITY ARE*1)
WORRY, 2) ANGER, 3) SELF-PITY AND 4) DEPRESSION.THESE SYMPTOMS ARISE
FROM CAUSES, WHICH SOMETIMES SEEM TO BE WITHIN OURSELVES, AND
SOMETIMES SEEM TO COME FROM OUTSIDE. TO MAKE AN INVENTORY RELATED TO
THESE CAUSES, WE MUST CAREFULLY CONSIDER ALL THE PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
THAT CAUSE US DIFFICULTIES, EITHER CONTINUOUSLY OR PERIODICALLY.
*Basic instincts: Sexual instinct (sex) Social or companionship instinct (power) Security,
emotional or material instinct (money)

**Viewing the Fourth Step from a different perspective (4)

*Humility: Virtue opposed to pride, modesty, submission,

2. Pride: Excess of self-esteem, presumption.
3.- Satisfaction: State that results from the realization of what is requested or desired.

The seven deadly sins: pride, greed, lust, anger, gluttony, envy and sloth.

*Humility: Virtue opposed to pride, modesty, submission,

2. Pride: Excess of self-esteem, presumption.
3.- Satisfaction: State resulting from the realization of what is requested or desired.

*Start of the elaboration of the Fourth Step (2)

*1)examine first those defects that are most noticeable and have caused the most
difficulties. According to the good judgment of what has been right and wrong, a
preliminary examination of the behavior with respect to the primary instincts, sexual,
material and emotional security; and social- can be made .

**Sexual Inventory (11)

**1)How and when, and on what occasions did I harm other people or myself in my selfish
pursuit of sexual gratification?2)Who did I hurt and to what degree? 3)Did I make my marriage
unhappy and hurt my children?4)Did I compromise my position in my community? 5)How did I
react to these situations?6)Did I feel unrelenting remorse?7)Did I insist that I was the
persecuted and not the persecutor, and also absolve myself? 8)How did I react to sexual
frustrations?9)When I was denied sex, did I become vengeful or depressed?10 )Did I take it
out on others if I was rejected or treated coldly at home? 11 ) Did I use it as a pretext for my
sexual promiscuity?

*Inventory: Physical security (10)

*1) What character defects contributed to my financial instability? *2 )The inferior position
at work destroyed my confidence and created a conflict? *3 )Did I try to conceal this feeling
by boasting, cheating, deceiving or evading the responsibility given? *4 )I was complaining
that others did not recognize my true abilities? *5 )I overestimated myself and played the
role of "boss" *6)I had some ambition so unconscious that I betrayed my partners or my
bosses? *7)Was I wasteful? *8)I borrowed money and never paid it back? *9 )I was stingy
and greedy, refusing to support my family adequately. *10 )I wanted to progress easily and
without scruples?"

*Symptoms (4)

The most common symptoms (effects) of emotional insecurity are

*1)worry,2)anger,3)self-pity and4)depression.

*Inventory: Emotional insecurity (8)

1)
What kind of sexual situations have caused me anxiety, bitterness, frustration or
depression? Evaluating each situation sensibly.2) Can I realize what my mistake was? 3) Were I
plagued by these doubts because I had selfish and unreasonable demands? 4) Was my
disturbance apparently caused by the behavior of others? 5) Why do I lack the ability to
accept what I cannot change? These are the fundamental questions that can reveal the
source of the alcoholic's distress and indicate whether he can alter his own behavior, and
thus adjust himself calmly to self-discipline.

Suppose that economic insecurity constantly arouses these feelings. You may ask-. 6 ) To
what extent have my own instincts, my destructive anxieties, been fed by my own instincts?
What if other people's actions are part of the cause 7) What can I do about it? If I am unable
to change the present state of affairs. 8) Am I willing to take the necessary steps to adapt my
life to the real situations?

*Egolatry: Egocentrism, selfishness, individualism, narcissism, vanity.

**Fraternity: Friendship, fraternity, brotherhood, sisterhood, companionship, affection,

intimacy.

*Start of the elaboration of the Fourth Step (2)

THE SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLE: COURAGE

How to follow this fourth step

Take time to relax and meditate, try to figure out what you want out of life, what makes you
happy, and how you ended up in the position you are in now, reflect on how you will change
things.

STEP FOUR PRAYER

Dear God, It is I who have made a mess of my life. I've done it myself, but I can't fix it. My
mistakes are my own and I will begin a thorough inventory of my shortcomings. But I will
also include what is good. I pray for the strength to accomplish this task.

STEP FIVE

WE ADMIT TO GOD, TO OURSELVES AND TO ANOTHER HUMAN BEING, THE EXACT

NATURE OF OUR SHORTCOMINGS.

1. WHY IS THE EGO CHALLENGED BY THE PRACTICE OF THE FIFTH STEP? (PARAGRAPH
1)
WE ARE ASKED TO GO AGAINST OUR NATURAL DESIRES.
2. WHAT ARE THE REWARDS FOR PRACTICING THE FIFTH STEP? (PARAGRAPH 1)
 ALMOST NONE OF THE OTHERS IS AS NECESSARY AS THIS ONE, TO ACHIEVE *1)
LASTING SOBRIETY AND 2) SPIRITUAL TRANQUILITY.
3. WHAT ARE CHARACTER DEFECTS? (PARAGRAPH 2)

THE EXPERIENCE OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS HAS TAUGHT US THAT WE CANNOT

LIVE ALONE WITH OUR PRESSING PROBLEMS AND THE CHARACTER DEFECTS THAT
CAUSE OR AGGRAVATE THEM. IF WE HAVE ILLUMINATED THE COURSE OF OUR
LIVES WITH THE LANTERN OF THE FOURTH STEP, AND WE HAVE SEEN
SUPERFICIALLY THOSE INCIDENTS THAT WE PREFER NOT TO REMEMBER; AND IF WE
HAVE COME TO UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH DAMAGE HAS BEEN CAUSED TO US AND
TO OTHERS BY THAT WAY OF THINKING AND ACTING WRONGLY, THEN WE
URGENTLY NEED TO STOP LIVING ALONE WITH THOSE TORMENTING GHOSTS OF
YESTERDAY.
4. WHAT IS THE EASIEST WAY TO PERFORM THE FIFTH STEP? (PARAGRAPH 3)

WE TRIED TO FIND AN EASIER METHOD WHICH USUALLY CONSISTED OF A GENERAL

AND PAINLESS ADMISSION OF OUR UNCONTROLLABLE DRINKING, AND TO ROUND
OFF SUCH AN ADMISSION WE ADDED DRAMATIC DETAILS OF EPISODES OF OUR
DRUNKENNESS, PROBABLY ALREADY KNOWN TO OUR FRIENDS.
5. WHY DO WE TAKE PAINFUL OR HUMILIATING MEMORIES TO THE GRAVE? 4

BUT WE NEVER SAY ANYTHING ABOUT WHAT REALLY BOTHERS US AND MAKES US
UNEASY. WE THINK THAT WE SHOULD NOT SHARE CERTAIN PAINFUL AND
HUMILIATING MEMORIES.
6. WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF KEEPING SOME SECRETS IN THE PRACTICE OF THE FIFTH
STEP? (PARAGRAPH 5)
OF THE CONFUSING ATTITUDES, THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT FOR THE
PRACTICE OF THE FIFTH STEP. SOME FAIL TO ACHIEVE SOBRIETY, AND OTHERS
RELAPSE PERIODICALLY UNTIL THEY CAN TELL THEIR SECRETS TO ANOTHER HUMAN
BEING.
7. WHY IS AN ANONYMOUS VETERAN ALCOHOLIC WITH NO FIFTH-STEP PRACTICE
IRRITABLE, ANXIOUS, DEPRESSED AND FEARFUL? (PARAGRAPH 5)
EVEN SOME ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS VETERANS WHO HAVE BEEN SOBER FOR
YEARS OFTEN PAY DEARLY FOR THEIR CARELESSNESS IN AVOIDING THIS STEP. THEY
WILL TELL HOW THEY TRIED TO CARRY THE BURDEN ALONE; AND HOW MUCH THEY
SUFFERED WITH THEIR IRRITABILITY, ANXIETY, REMORSE AND DEPRESSION. AND AS
IF UNCONSCIOUSLY SEEKING RELIEF, THESE VETERANS BLAMED THEIR FRIENDS FOR
THE VERY CHARACTER FLAWS THEY WERE TRYING TO HIDE. CAME TO THE
CONCLUSION THAT NO RELIEF IS ACHIEVED BY CONFESSING THE "SINS" OF OTHERS.
EVERYONE HAD TO CONFESS THEIR OWN.

8. WHAT IS THE REDEEMING PRINCIPLE OF THE FIFTH STEP? (PARAGRAPH 6)

THIS SYSTEM OF ADMITTING ONE'S FAULTS TO ANOTHER PERSON IS OF COURSE

VERY OLD. REPRESENTS THE LIFE OF ALL PEOPLE OF SPIRITUAL AND RELIGIOUS
 BACKGROUND. AT PRESENT, RELIGION IS NOT THE ONLY PROMOTER OF THIS
REDEMPTIVE PRINCIPLE.
9. HOW CAN WE FREE OURSELVES FROM LONELINESS? (PARAGRAPH 7)

3) GET RID OF THAT TERRIBLE FEELING OF ISOLATION THAT WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD.
ALMOST WITHOUT EXCEPTION, ALCOHOLICS ARE TORTURED BY LONELINESS.
10. WHY IS THE PRACTICE OF THE FIFTH STEP THE BEGINNING OF A GENUINE KINSHIP
OF MAN WITH GOD? (PARAGRAPH 8)
WHEN WE CAME TO ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS AND FOR THE FIRST TIME WE WERE
AMONG PEOPLE WHO SEEMED TO UNDERSTAND US, THE FEELING OF BELONGING
TO THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE WAS VERY STIMULATING. WE THOUGHT THAT THE
PROBLEM OF LONELINESS HAD BEEN SOLVED. BUT WE SOON DISCOVERED THAT IF
WE WERE NO LONGER ALONE, SOCIALLY, WE STILL FELT MANY OF THE OLD
TORMENTS OF REJECTION. WE STILL FELT THAT WE DIDN'T BELONG, AND IT WASN'T
UNTIL WE SPOKE WITH COMPLETE SINCERITY ABOUT OUR SHORTCOMINGS, AND
HEARD OTHER PEOPLE DO THE SAME.
11. WHY, WITH THE PRACTICE OF THE FIFTH STEP, IS THE ABILITY TO RECEIVE AND
GRANT FORGIVENESS ACHIEVED? (PARAGRAPH 9)
WE ALSO TRULY FELT FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT WE COULD FORGIVE OTHERS,
REGARDLESS OF THE DEEP CERTAINTY WE HAD THAT THEY HAD WRONGED US. THIS
HAPPENED TO US WHEN WE WERE WORKING ON THIS STEP WITH OUR SPONSORS
OR WITH OUR SPIRITUAL ADVISOR. OUR MORAL INVENTORY HAD CONVINCED US
THAT IT WAS CONVENIENT TO FORGIVE EVERYTHING, BUT IT WAS NOT UNTIL WE
RESOLUTELY TACKLED THE FIFTH STEP THAT 4) WE KNEW WE COULD RECEIVE AND
GRANT FORGIVENESS.
12. WHY, BY PRACTICING THE FIFTH STEP, DO WE ACQUIRE THE DISPOSITION TO
APPROACH HUMILITY? (PARAGRAPH 1) 0
ANOTHER GOOD THAT WE CAN EXPECT AS A RESULT OF ADMITTING OUR
SHORTCOMINGS TO ANOTHER HUMAN BEING
13. WHY, WITH THE PRACTICE OF THE FIFTH STEP, DO WE ACHIEVE GREATER REALISM
AND HONESTY WITH OURSELVES? (PARAGRAPH 1) 1
THE MAIN BENEFITS WE OBTAIN FROM THE PRACTICE OF THE FIFTH STEP ARE 6)
GREATER REALISM AND, CONSEQUENTLY, 7) MORE HONESTY WITH OURSELVES. AS
WE TOOK INVENTORY, WE BEGAN TO REALIZE THAT WE HAD BEEN FOOLING
OURSELVES FOR SO LONG AND THAT IT HAD CAUSED US A LOT OF DIFFICULTIES. IF
WE HAD FOOLED OURSELVES ALMOST ALL OUR LIVES,
14. WHY DO WE NEED THE HELP OF GOD AND ANOTHER HUMAN BEING?
(PARAGRAPH 1) 2
WE REALIZED THAT A SOLITARY "SELF-ASSESSMENT" AND ADMISSION OF FAULTS
BASED ON THAT ALONE WOULD NOT BE SUFFICIENT. HERE WE WOULD DO
SOMETHING ABOUT IT, WE WOULD ASK FOR HELP FROM OUTSIDE. -THE HELP OF
GOD AND THE HELP OF ANOTHER HUMAN BEING, TO FIND OUT AND ADMIT THE
TRUTH ABOUT OURSELVES WITH COMPLETE CERTAINTY.
15. HOW IS IT THAT, BY BEING HONEST WITH OTHER PEOPLE, IT IS CONFIRMED THAT
 WE HAVE BEEN HONEST WITH GOD AND WITH OURSELVES? (PARAGRAPH) 14
AT THIS STAGE, THE DIFFICULTIES THAT ARISE WHEN TRYING TO ENSURE THAT OUR
CONTACT WITH GOD IS THE RIGHT ONE ARE TWOFOLD. THE FIRST IS, THAT
ALTHOUGH WE PERCEIVE THAT GOD KNOWS EVERYTHING THAT RELATES TO US, WE
SOON BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO THIS. WHO KNOWS WHY, BUT FINDING
OURSELVES ALONE WITH GOD DOES NOT SEEM AS EMBARRASSING AS FACING
ANOTHER PERSON. OUR WILLINGNESS TO AIR DIFFICULTIES IS NO MORE THAN
THEORETICAL, UNTIL WE SIT DOWN AND TALK TO SOMEONE ELSE ABOUT WHAT WE
HAVE HIDDEN FOR SO LONG.
16. WHY, WITH THE PRACTICE OF THE FIFTH STEP, DO YOU RECEIVE ADVICE AND NOT
SUGGESTIONS FROM OTHER PEOPLE? (PARAGRAPH 1) 5
THE SECOND DIFFICULTY IS THIS. OUR RELIANCE ON REASON AND OUR BELIEFS
MOTIVATED BY OUR DESIRES CAN MISREPRESENT WHAT CAME TO US IF WE ARE
ALONE.THE BENEFIT OF TALKING TO ANOTHER PERSON IS THAT WE CAN RECEIVE
DIRECT FEEDBACK AND ADVICE REGARDING OUR SITUATION.
17. WHY DO PEOPLE WHO ARE HIGHLY SPIRITUALLY DEVELOPED INSIST ON
CONSULTING FRIENDS OR COUNSELORS WHEN THEY BELIEVE THEY HAVE
RECEIVED GUIDANCE FROM GOD? (PARAGRAPH 1) 5
BESIDES, THERE WILL BE NO DOUBT IN OUR MINDS AS TO THE ORIGIN OF SUCH
ADVICE. -IT IS WORTH NOTING THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE HIGHLY DEVELOPED
SPIRITUALLY ALWAYS INSIST ON CONSULTING THEIR SPIRITUAL ADVISORS WHEN
THEY BELIEVE THEY HAVE RECEIVED GUIDANCE FROM GOD.
18. WHAT ARE THE SUGGESTIONS FOR CHOOSING A SPONSOR? (PARAGRAPH 1) 6

WE WANT TO TALK TO SOMEONE WHO HAS EXPERIENCE AND WHO HAS NOT ONLY
STAYED SOBER, BUT WHO HAS ALSO OVERCOME SERIOUS DIFFICULTIES, PERHAPS
SIMILAR TO OURS. THIS PERSON MAY TURN OUT TO BE OUR GODFATHER, IF WE
HAVE A SPECIAL TRUST IN HIM AND IF HIS TEMPERAMENT IS SIMILAR TO OURS. THIS
SELECTION MAY PROVE TO BE FORTUNATE, PLUS THERE IS THE ADVANTAGE THAT
OUR SPONSOR IS ALREADY AWARE OF OUR CASE.
19. WHY IS IT POSSIBLE TO FEEL THE PRESENCE OF GOD WITH THE PRACTICE OF THE
FIFTH STEP? (PARAGRAPH 1) 8
AS THE PAIN FADES, IT IS REPLACED BY A COMFORTING TANQUILITY. AND WHEN
HUMILITY AND SERENITY ARE COMBINED IN THIS WAY, SOMETHING GREAT IS
ABOUT TO HAPPEN. MORE THAN ONE ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WHO HAS BEEN
AGNOSTIC OR ATHEIST HAS TOLD US THAT IT WAS AT THIS STAGE OF THE FIFTH
STEP THAT HE FIRST FELT THE PRESENCE OF GOD. AND EVEN THOSE WHO ALREADY
HAD FAITH IN HIM, OFTEN 9) WERE AWARE OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD AS THEY HAD
NEVER BEEN BEFORE.
20. HOW DOES THE PRACTICE OF THE FIFTH STEP PREPARE US FOR THE NEXT STEPS?
(PARAGRAPH 1) 9
THIS FEELING OF BEING ONE WITH GOD AND MAN, THIS EMERGENCE FROM
ISOLATION THROUGH THE HONEST SHARING OF OUR TERRIBLE BURDEN OF GUILT,
LEADS US TO A STATE OF TRANQUILITY IN WHICH WE CAN 10) PREPARE OURSELVES
TO TAKE THE NEXT STEPS AND 11) ACHIEVE FULL AND MEANINGFUL SOBRIETY.
*Fifth Step Bounties (11)
1)
lasting sobriety
2)
spiritual tranquility,
3)
get rid of that terrible feeling of isolation,
4)
Weknew that we could receive and grant forgiveness,
5)
humility,
6)
greater realism and, consequently
7)
more honesty,
8)
receive feedback from her directly to us.
9)
were aware of God's presence as they had never been before,
10)
prepare ourselves to take the next steps and
11)
achieve full and meaningful sobriety.

THE SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLE: Integrity

How to follow this fifth step

Be honest, admit to your family, friends, God and yourself that you made mistakes and did
wrong, this is not easy but opening the channels of communication and reunion to heal is a
big step towards recovery.

FIFTH STEP PRAYER

Higher Power, my inventory has shown me who I am, yet I want to ask for Your help in
admitting my mistakes to another person and to You. Enlighten me and accompany me in
this step, because without this step, I cannot progress in my recovery. With Your help, I can
do this, and I will.

SIXTH STEP

WE WERE ENTIRELY WILLING

TO LET GOD FREE US FROM ALL
THESE DEFECTS OF CHARACTER

1. WHAT IS THE THINKING OF THE BELOVED CLERGYMAN AND FRIEND OF ALCOHOLICS

ANONYMOUS? (PARAGRAPH 1)
"THIS IS A STEP THAT SEPARATES THE MEN FROM THE BOYS."-SO THINKS A BELOVED
CLERGYMAN AND GREAT FRIEND OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (FATHER ED: EDWARD
DOWLING). SAYS THAT THE PERSON WHO IS WILLING AND HONEST ENOUGH TO APPLY
THE SIXTH STEP "WITHOUT RESERVATION OF ANY KIND" OVER AND OVER AGAIN TO HIS
SHORTCOMINGS HAS ADVANCED GREATLY SPIRITUALLY AND THEREFORE DESERVES TO
BE CALLED A PERSON WHO IS SINCERELY TRYING TO GROW INTO THE IMAGE OF HIS
 OWN CREATOR.
2. CAN GOD ELIMINATE DEFECTS OF CHARACTER? (PARAGRAPH 2)

OF COURSE, THE OFTEN DISCUSSED QUESTION OF WHETHER GOD CAN AND WILL
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS,ELIMINATE DEFECTS OF CHARACTER, WILL HAVE AN
AFFIRMATIVE ANSWER FROM ALMOST ANY MEMBER OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS.
FOR THEM THIS PROPOSITION IS NOT A THEORY; FOR THEM IT WILL BE PERHAPS THE
MOST IMPORTANT FACT OF THEIR LIVES.
3. WHAT ROLE DOES THE ATTITUDE OF WILLINGNESS PLAY IN FREEING US FROM
ALCOHOLIC OBSESSION? (PARAGRAPH 3)
SO IN A CONCRETE AND LITERAL WAY ALL MEMBERS OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
"WERE WILLING" TO LET GOD REMOVE THE OBSESSION WITH ALCOHOL FROM THEIR
LIVES, AND GOD PROCEEDED TO DO EXACTLY THAT-.
4. WHY CAN'T WE ACHIEVE BY THE SAME MEANS THE LIBERATION FROM OUR DEFECTS?
(PARAGRAPH 5)
THIS IS AN UNKNOWN OF OUR EXISTENCE, THE ANSWER IS KNOWN ONLY TO GOD.
NEVERTHELESS, WE CAN AT LEAST PARTIALLY REALIZE THE ANSWER.
5. How DOES THE ALCOHOL PALATE COLLABORATE IN THE RELEASE OF ALCOHOLIC
OBSESSION? (PARAGRAPH 6)
HUMILIATED BY THE TERRIBLE BEATING THEY WERE GIVEN BY ALCOHOL, GOD'S GRACE
CAN REACH THEM AND FREE THEM FROM THEIR OBSESSION. HERE THEIR POWERFUL
INSTINCT TO LIVE CAN FULLY COOPERATE WITH THEIR CREATOR'S DESIRE TO GIVE
THEM A NEW LIFE. BECAUSE BOTH NATURE AND GOD ABHOR SUICIDE.
6. WHY DOESN'T GOD REMOVE OUR NATURAL INSTINCTS? (PARAGRAPH 7)

THERE IS NO PROOF ANYWHERE THAT OUR CREATOR EXPECTS US TO TOTALLY

ELIMINATE THE IMPULSES OF OUR INSTINCTS. AS FAR AS WE KNOW, THERE IS NO
RECORD THAT GOD HAS REMOVED FROM ANY HUMAN BEING ALL HIS NATURAL
IMPULSES.
7. AT WHAT POINT DO WE DEPART FROM THE DEGREE OF PERFECTION THAT GOD
DESIRES FOR US ON EARTH? (PARAGRAPH 9)
WHEN WE ARE LED BLINDLY OR CAPRICIOUSLY DEMAND THAT THESE DESIRES PROVIDE
US WITH MORE SATISFACTIONS OR PLEASURES THAN IS POSSIBLE, OR THAN IS DUE, IT
IS THE MOMENT WHEN WE DEVIATE FROM THE DEGREE OF PERFECTION THAT GOD
DESIRES FOR US.
8. WHAT DO YOU SUPPOSE WE ARE WILLING TO STRIVE TO ACHIEVE? (PARAGRAPH 1) 0

IF WE ASK HIM, GOD MAY FORGIVE OUR CARELESSNESS AND NEGLECT, BUT IN NO CASE
WILL HE LEAVE US WHITE AS SNOW IF WE DO NOT COOPERATE.
9. WHAT IS THE TASK FOR LIFE? (PARAGRAPH 1) 1

SO THE SIXTH STEP WE WERE WILLING TO LET GOD REMOVE OUR CHARACTER DEFECTS,
IS THE WAY ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS EXPRESSES WHAT IS THE BEST POSSIBLE
ATTITUDE WE CAN CONTRACT TO BEGIN THIS LIFELONG TASK. THIS IS NOT TO SAY THAT
 IT IS EXPECTED THAT ALL OF OUR CHARACTER DEFECTS WILL BE ELIMINATED, AS WAS
OUR IMPULSE TO DRINK.
10.WHAT ARE THE DESIRES THAT OPPOSE THE GRACE OF GOD? (PARAGRAPH 1) 2

SUCH IS THE STRENGTH OF OUR INTENTS TO IMPOSE THEMSELVES. DESPITE THE

PROGRESS MADE, THERE WILL BE DESIRES THAT OPPOSE THE GRACE OF GOD.
11.WHAT ARE THE SELF-DECEPTIONS OF GETTING THE SIXTH STEP RIGHT? (PARAGRAPH
1) 3
ALMOST ANYONE FEELS THE DESIRE TO FREE THEMSELVES FROM THEIR MOST
NOTORIOUS AND DESTRUCTIVE IMPEDIMENTS. NO ONE WANTS TO BE SO PROUD AS TO
BE CALLED BOASTFUL, NOR SO AMBITIOUS AS TO BE CALLED A THIEF. NO ONE WANTS
TO BECOME ANGRY TO THE POINT OF KILLING, OR TO BE LUSTFUL TO THE POINT OF
RAPTURE. NO ONE WANTS TO BE SO GLUTTONOUS THAT IT RUINS THEIR HEALTH, OR
FEEL THE CHRONIC DISCOMFORT THAT ENVY PRODUCES, OR BECOME PARALYZED BY
LAZINESS.
12.WHAT IS THE PURE AND SIMPLE SELFISHNESS THAT HAS PREVENTED US FROM GOING
TO EXTREMES? (PARAGRAPH 1) 4
THERE IS NO REAL SPIRITUAL EFFORT INVOLVED IN AVOIDING THE EXCESSES FOR
WHICH WE WOULD BE PUNISHED IN ANY WAY.
13.WHY DO WE FEEL A LITTLE OR A LOT SUPERIOR TO OTHERS? (PARAGRAPH 1) 5

WHAT WE MUST RECOGNIZE NOW IS THAT WE ENJOY SOME OF OUR SHORTCOMINGS.

IN FACT, WE STILL LOVE THEM.
14.WHY DO WE ENJOY STATES THAT WE BELIEVE TO BE JUSTIFIED? (PARAGRAPH 1) 6

IT CAN GIVE US SATISFACTION TO FIND THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE HATEFUL TO US,
BECAUSE IT GIVES US A SENSE OF SUPERIORITY. IN A PERVERSE WAY, A SUBTLE WAY OF
KILLING THE PERSONALITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL IS BACKBITING INCITED BY ANGER. IN
THIS CASE WE ARE NOT TRYING TO HELP THOSE WE CRITICIZE, WE ARE INADVERTENTLY
SPREADING OUR HYPOCRISY.
15.WHAT DOES WASTING TIME WISHING FOR WHAT WE DON'T HAVE DO TO US?
(PARAGRAPH) 17
LET US ALSO CONSIDER THE CUNNING WE HAVE IN DELAYING WHAT WE HAVE TO DO,
AND WE DO NOT DO IT OUT OF LAZINESS. ALMOST ANYONE CAN MAKE A LONG LIST OF
THESE DEFECTS, AND FEW OF US WOULD SERIOUSLY THINK OF GIVING THEM UP, AT
LEAST UNTIL THEY BEGAN TO MAKE US VERY UNFORTUNATE.
16.WHY CAN WE NOT QUICKLY OR EASILY BECOME READY TO ASPIRE TO MORAL OR
SPIRITUAL PERFECTION? (PARAGRAPH 1) 8
OF COURSE, SOME CONCLUDE THAT THEY ARE READY FOR GOD TO DELIVER THEM
FROM THEIR DEFECTS. BUT EVEN THESE PEOPLE, IF THEY MAKE A LIST OF THE LESS
SERIOUS DEFECTS, WILL BE FORCED TO ADMIT THAT THEY PREFER TO KEEP SOME OF
THEM.
17.WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BOYS AND MEN? (PARAGRAPH 1) 8
 THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN "BOYS" AND "MEN" IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STRIVING
TO OBTAIN A LIMITED IDEAL OF OUR EGO, AND STRIVING TO OBTAIN THE PERFECT
IDEAL WHICH IS GOD.
18.HOW CAN WE ACCEPT ALL THAT THE SIXTH STEP IMPLIES? (PARAGRAPH 1) 9

THAT WOULD BE PERFECTION. THIS SEEMS LIKE A DIFFICULT QUESTION, BUT IT'S
REALLY NOT. ONLY THE FIRST STEP, IN WHICH WE MADE A FULL ADMISSION THAT WE
WERE POWERLESS OVER ALCOHOL, CAN BE PRACTICED TO PERFECTION. THE
FOLLOWING ELEVEN REMAINING STEPS SET FORTH PERFECT IDEALS. ARE GOALS TO
WHICH WE ASPIRE AND INSTRUMENTS THAT SERVE TO MEASURE OUR SPIRITUAL
PROGRESS. SEEN IN THIS LIGHT, THE SIXTH STEP IS STILL DIFFICULT BUT BY NO MEANS
IMPOSSIBLE. WHAT IS URGENT IS TO START AND KEEP ON PERSEVERING.
19.WHY DOES IT MATTER LITTLE THAT WE SOMETIMES STUMBLE? (PARAGRAPH 2) 0

IF IN THE APPLICATION OF THIS STEP WE GET SOME PRIMARY ADVANTAGE IN THE

SOLUTION OF SOME NON-ALCOHOL RELATED PROBLEMS, WE WILL NEED TO START
AGAIN WITH A MORE OPEN MIND. WE WILL NEED TO LOOK TOWARDS PERFECTION
AND BE PREPARED TO MARCH IN THAT DIRECTION.
20.WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO "FADE AWAY THE RIGID LIMITS WE HAVE SET FOR
OURSELVES"? (PARAGRAPH 2) 1
LOOKING AGAIN AT THOSE DEFECTS THAT WE STILL DO NOT WANT TO GET RID OF, WE
MUST DISSIPATE THE RIGID LIMITS THAT WE HAVE SET FOR OURSELVES. IN SOME
CASES WE MAY STILL HAVE TO SAY: "I CAN'T GIVE THIS UP YET", BUT WE SHOULD NOT
SAY "I WILL NEVER GIVE THIS UP".
21.WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO "TAKE ACTIVE MEASURES TO REMOVE THEM AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE"? (PARAGRAPH 2) 2
THIS KIND OF SELF-DECEPTION LEADS NOWHERE. AT THE VERY LEAST, WE WILL HAVE
TO FIGHT AGAINST OUR WORST CHARACTER DEFECTS AND TAKE ACTIVE STEPS TO
REMOVE THEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
22.WHEN AND WHY DO OUR MINDS CLOSE TO THE GRACE OF GOD? (PARAGRAPH 2) 3

THE MOMENT WE SAY: NO, NEVER!

23.WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO "DIRECT OURSELVES TO WHAT IS GOD'S WILL FOR US"?
(PARAGRAPH 2) 3
AT THIS POINT WE MUST ABANDON THE LIMITED IDEAL OF OUR EGO, AND MOVE
TOWARDS WHAT IS GOD'S WILL FOR US. DELAY IS DANGEROUS AND REBELLION CAN BE
FATAL.

THE SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLE: Good Will

How to follow this sixth step

Admit that you have mistakes and that you are not perfect, the sooner you accept that no
one is blameless the sooner you will begin to love yourself.
SIXTH STEP PRAYER

Dear God, I am ready to receive your help in ridding me of the defects of character which I
now realize are an obstacle to my recovery. Help me to continue to be honest with myself
and guide me to mental and spiritual health.

SEVENTH STEP

WE HUMBLY ASK HIM TO FREE US FROM OUR DEFECTS

1. WHAT IS THIS STEP ABOUT? (PARAGRAPH 1)

OF HUMILITY SPECIFICALLY, WE MUST BE PREPARED TO CONSIDER WHAT HUMILITY
IS, AND WHAT PRACTICING IT CAN MEAN FOR US.
2. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THERE IS A LACK OF HUMILITY? (PARAGRAPH 2)

BECAUSE WITHOUT A CERTAIN DEGREE OF HUMILITY, NO ALCOHOLIC WILL BE ABLE

TO STAY SOBER. ALMOST ALL A.AS. HAVE REALIZED THAT UNLESS THEY DEVELOP
THIS PRECIOUS QUALITY, MORE THAN IS INDISPENSABLE FOR SOBRIETY, THEY WILL
NOT YET HAVE A CHANCE TO BECOME TRULY HAPPY. WITHOUT HUMILITY THEIR
LIFE HAS NO USEFUL PURPOSE, OR IN ADVERSITY THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO
INVOKE THE FAITH THAT IS NECESSARY TO FACE CERTAIN EMERGENCIES-.
3. WHAT IS YOUR SUPERFICIAL KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT HUMILITY MEANS IN THE
WAY YOU LIVE? (PARAGRAPH 3)
IN MANY OF THE CONVERSATIONS WE HEAR EVERY DAY, AND IN MUCH OF WHAT
WE READ, THE PRIDE THAT MAN FEELS FOR HIS FEATS AND ACHIEVEMENTS STANDS
 OUT.
4. WHY HAVE SO MANY COME TO BELIEVE THAT POVERTY WILL DISAPPEAR AND
THAT THERE WILL BE NO REASON TO FIGHT? (PARAGRAPH 4)
THE THEORY SEEMS TO BE BASED ON THE FACT THAT ONCE THE PRIMITIVE
INSTINCTS OF ALL HUMAN BEINGS ARE SATISFIED, THERE WILL BE NO REASON TO
FIGHT. THE WORLD WILL THEN BE HAPPY AND FREE TO CONCENTRATE ON THE
AGGRANDIZEMENT OF CULTURE AND THE CULTIVATION OF PERSONALITY. MEN
WILL HAVE CARVED OUT THEIR DESTINY ON THE BASIS OF THEIR INTELLIGENCE AND
STRENGTH.
5. WHAT IS THE CONFUSION OF THE MEANS WITH THE ENDS? (PARAGRAPH 6)

VERY CHARACTERISTICALLY WE HAD GONE COMPLETELY ASTRAY BY CONFUSING

MEANS WITH ENDS, INSTEAD OF CONSIDERING THE SATISFACTION OF OUR
MATERIAL DESIRES AS MEANS TO EXIST AND FUNCTION AS HUMAN BEINGS. WE
HAD CONSIDERED THESE SATISFACTIONS AS A FINAL GOAL IN LIFE.
6. WHAT SHOULD BE THE BASIS OF OUR DAILY LIVES? (PARAGRAPH 7)

THE BASIS OF OUR DAILY LIVES SHOULD BE HONESTY, TOLERANCE AND AUTHENTIC
LOVE FOR GOD AND OUR FELLOW MEN.
7. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BELIEVE IN THE EXISTENCE OF GOD? (PARAGRAPH 9)

BECAUSE AS LONG AS WE PUT SELF-CONFIDENCE IN THE FIRST PLACE, IT WOULD

NOT BE POSSIBLE TO HAVE GENUINE CONFIDENCE IN A HIGHER POWER. ONE OF
THE IMPORTANT INGREDIENTS OF HUMILITY WAS MISSING: THE DESIRE TO DO
GOD'S WILL.
8. WHY IS THE PROCESS OF GAINING A NEW PERSPECTIVE OF HUMILITY PAINFUL?
(PARAGRAPH 9)
IT WAS ONLY AT THE COST OF REPEATED HUMILIATIONS THAT WE WERE FORCED
TO LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT HUMILITY. IT WAS NOT UNTIL THE END OF A LONG
PATH, FULL OF DEFEATS AND HUMILIATIONS, AND AFTER THE ANNIHILATION OF
OUR SELF-SUFFICIENCY, THAT WE BEGAN TO FEELHUMILITY AS IT REALLY IS, AND
NOT AS A STATE OF SERVILE HUMILIATION.
9. WHY DO MOST OF US NEED A LONG TIME TO COME TO CONSIDER HUMILITY AS
THE PATH TO TRUE FREEDOM OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT? (PARAGRAPH 1) 0
TO MOVE COMPLETELY AWAY FROM OUR REJECTION OF THE IDEA OF BEING
HUMBLE, TO BE ABLE TO CONSIDERHUMILITY AS A PATH TO TRUE FREEDOM OF THE
SPIRIT, AND TO BE WILLING TO ACQUIRE MOREHUMILITY AS SOMETHING
DESIRABLE IN ITSELF, MOST OF US WILL NEED A LONG TIME. YOU CAN'T SUDDENLY
CHANGE THE COURSE OF A WHOLE LIFE THAT HAS ALWAYS REVOLVED AROUND
YOURSELF. AT THE BEGINNING, REBELLIOUSNESS HINDERS OUR EVERY STEP.
10. HOW HAVE WE STARTED ON THE ROAD TO HUMILITY IN ALCOHOLICS
ANONYMOUS? (PARAGRAPH 1) 1
WHEN WE ONCE UNRESERVEDLY ADMITTED OUR IMPOTENCE WITH ALCOHOL, WE
MAY HAVE SIGHED WITH RELIEF AND EXCLAIMED: "THANK GOD IT'S ALL OVER, I
 WON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH IT ALL AGAIN".
11. HOW CAN WE FREE OURSELVES FROM SUCH OVERWHELMING DESIRES AND
COMPULSIONS? (PARAGRAPH 1) 2
ONCE AGAIN THE ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS EXPERIENCE DRIVES US TO THE
INEVITABLE CONCLUSION THAT WE HAVE COME TO SO FAR: THAT WE HAVE TO
MAKE A GOOD WILL EFFORT, OR WE WILL FALL DOWN THE PATH WE ARE ON. AT
THIS STAGE OF OUR PROGRESS, WE ARE HEAVILY PRESSURED AND CONSTRAINED IN
OUR EFFORTS TO PERFORM AS WE SHOULD. WE ARE FORCED TO CHOOSE
BETWEEN THE PAIN OF TRYING TO DO SO, OR THE PUNISHMENT THAT WILL RESULT
IF WE DO NOT. WE TAKE THESE INITIAL STEPS ON THIS PATH RELUCTANTLY, BUT WE
TAKE THEM.
12. WHY DO WE BEGIN TO HAVE A BROADER MEANING OF HUMILITY? (PARAGRAPH
1) 3
WHEN WE HAVE LOOKED SOME OF THESE SHORTCOMINGS IN THE FACE, WHEN WE
HAVE DISCUSSED THEM WITH ANOTHER PERSON, AND WHEN WE HAVE BEEN
WILLING FOR GOD TO DELIVER US FROM THEM, OUR THINKING ABOUTHUMILITY
BEGINS TO TAKE ON A BROADER MEANING.
13. WHAT IS THE REVOLUTIONARY CHANGE IN OUR FEELINGS ABOUT HUMILITY?
(PARAGRAPH 1) 4
WE BEGIN TO OPEN OUR EYES TO THE IMMENSE VALUES THAT WE CAN NOW
PERCEIVE, BECAUSE THE EGO HAS BEEN DEFLATED. UNTIL RECENTLY, OUR LIVES
WERE DEDICATED IN PART TO RUNNING AWAY FROM PAIN AND PROBLEMS. WE
FLEE FROM THEM LIKE THE PLAGUE. WE NEVER WANTED TO HAVE ANYTHING TO
DO WITH THE FACT OF SUFFERING. THE LEAK THROUGH THE BOTTLE, WAS OUR
SOLUTION.
14. WHAT DO WE SEE AND HEAR IN ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS? (PARAGRAPH 1) 5

WE LOOKED AROUND US AND LISTENED AS FAILURES AND MISFORTUNES

HAPPENED EVERYWHERE, TRANSFORMED INTO PRICELESS GOODS BYHUMILITY.
THEN IN ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WE HEARD STORY AFTER STORY OF HOW
HUMILITY HAD BROUGHT STRENGTH OUT OF WEAKNESS. IN EACH CASE THE
BEGINNING OF A NEW LIFE HAD BEEN PAID FOR WITH PAIN.
15. WHAT IS THE MEANING OF "I ALONE AM NOTHING, THE FATHER DISPOSES ?
(PARAGRAPH) 16
MANY OF US WHO HAD THOUGHT WE WERE DEVOTEES WOKE UP TO THE REALITY
THAT OUR SITUATION WAS LIMITED IN THAT SENSE. WE HAD DEPRIVED OURSELVES
OF GOD'S HELP BY REFUSING TO PUT HIM FIRST. THE WORDS "I ALONE AM
NOTHING, THE FATHER DISPOSES" BEGAN TO HAVE MORE MEANING AND TO GIVE
US GLIMPSES OF BRIGHT PROMISES.
16. WHAT DOES "WE HUMBLY PRAY TO GOD TO DELIVER US FROM OUR
SHORTCOMINGS" MEAN? (PARAGRAPH 1) 7
WE REALIZED THAT IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO BE ALWAYS BEATEN AND
DEPRESSED BY THEHUMILITY. WE COULD REACH IT EITHER ONE WAY OR THE
OTHER, WITH OURWILLINGNESS TO PRACTICE IT OR WITH SUFFERING THAT DOES
 NOT EXPECT REWARD.
17. WHAT ARE OUR DEEPEST OBJECTIVES? (PARAGRAPH 1) 8

AS WE APPROACH WHAT IT REALLY IS TO TAKE THE SEVENTH STEP, IT WOULD BE

GOOD FOR US ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS TO FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT OUR
DEEPEST GOALS ARE. EACH OF US WOULD LIKE TO LIVE IN PEACE WITH OURSELVES
AND WITH OTHERS. WE WOULD LIKE TO BE SURE THAT GOD'S GRACE CAN DO FOR
US WHAT WE CANNOT DO ON OUR OWN.
18. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DEMAND AND A REQUEST? (PARAGRAPH 1)
9
LIVING ON THE BASIS OF UNFULFILLED DEMANDS, WE WERE IN A CONTINUOUS
STATE OF DISTURBANCE AND FRUSTRATION. IT WAS THEREFORE ESSENTIAL TO
REDUCE OUR DEMANDS IF WE WERE TO ENJOY ANY DEGREE OF TRANQUILITY.
19. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO "GO OUT OF OURSELVES TO GO TO GOD AND TO
OTHERS? (PARAGRAPH 2) 0
WE ARE ACTUALLY TOLD THAT WE MUST BE WILLING TO TRY TO RID OURSELVES OF
OUR DEFECTS THROUGHHUMILITY, IN THE SAME WAY THAT WE ADMITTED THAT
WE WERE POWERLESS OVER ALCOHOL, AND THAT WE BECAME CONVINCED THAT
ONLY A HIGHER POWER COULD RESTORE US TO SANITY.

*Humility: Truth. Pride: The Lie

THE SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLE: Humility

How to follow this seventh step

Humbly ask God to be a better person. It denotes humility, you can change for the better.

SEVENTH STEP PRAYER

My Creator, I am willing for you to take all that I am, good and bad. I beg You to remove
from me each of the defects of character that hinder me along the way so that I may be
useful to You and to my fellow men. Give me the strength to do Your will when I leave here.
 EIGHTH STEP

WE MADE A LIST OF ALL THOSE PEOPLE

WHOM WE HAD OFFENDED AND WERE
WILLING TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE
WE HAD CAUSED THEM

1. WHY ARE THE THREE POINTS MENTIONED IN THE FIRST PARAGRAPH SO

IMPORTANT? (PARAGRAPH 1)
DEAL WITH PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS. SECOND, WE LOOK BACK AND TRY TO
DISCOVER WHERE WE HAVE GONE WRONG; SECOND, WE MAKE A DETERMINED
EFFORT TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE WE HAVE CAUSED; AND THIRD, HAVING CLEARED
THE PAST OF DEBRIS, WE CONSIDER HOW TO ESTABLISH THE BEST POSSIBLE KIND
OF RELATIONSHIPS WITH ALL HUMAN BEINGS WE MEET.
2. WHAT IS: "A MOVING AND FASCINATING EXPERIENCE"? (PARAGRAPH 2)

THAT WE CAN PERFORM WITH GREATER SKILL EVERY DAY, BUT WHICH NEVER
ENDS. LEARNING TO LIVE WITH OTHERS, WHOEVER THEY ARE, FRATERNALLY AND
IN PEACE, IS A MOVING AND COMFORTING EXPERIENCE.
3. WHAT DOES THE PHRASE "USELESS SURGERY" REFER TO? (PARAGRAPH 3)

REOPENING OLD WOUNDS, AND OTHERS PERHAPS ALREADY FORGOTTEN OR

INFECTED AND PAINFUL, WILL SEEM AT FIRST A USELESS SURGERY; BUT IF YOU
BEGIN TO DO IT WITH GOOD WILL, YOU WILL SOON SEE THE RESULTS, REALIZING
THAT THE PAIN IS DISAPPEARING AS THE OBSTACLES ARE BEING REMOVED.
HOWEVER, THESE OBSTACLES ARE VERY REAL. THE FIRST, AND ONE OF THE MOST
DIFFICULT, IS RELATED TO FORGIVENESS.
4. WHAT IS THE FIRST OBSTACLE TO IMPROVING A CROOKED RELATIONSHIP WITH
 ANOTHER PERSON? (PARAGRAPH 4)
WHEN WE THINK ABOUT AN AWKWARD RELATIONSHIP WITH ANOTHER PERSON,
OUR EMOTIONS BECOME DEFENSIVE. TO AVOID CONTEMPLATING THE HARM WE
HAVE CAUSED SOMEONE, WE FOCUS, FULL OF RESENTMENT, ON THE HARM THAT
PERSON HAS CAUSED US. THIS WAY OF REACTING IS ACCENTUATED, NATURALLY,
WHEN THAT PERSON HAS BEHAVED BADLY WITH US, TRIUMPHANTLY WE LOOK AT
HIS BAD BEHAVIOR, USING IT AS A PERFECT PRETEXT TO TRY TO JUSTIFY OUR BAD
BEHAVIOR.
5. IN WHAT WAY WOULD WE BEGIN BY FORGIVING EACH OF THEM AND EVERYONE
ELSE? (PARAGRAPH 5)
IN MANY CASES WE DEAL WITH OTHERS WHO SUFFER AS MUCH AS WE DO AND
WHOSE SUFFERING WE HAVE MADE WORSE. IF WE ARE ABOUT TO ASK
FORGIVENESS FOR OURSELVES, WHY NOT START BY FORGIVING EACH OTHER AND
EVERYONE ELSE?
6. WHAT IS THE OTHER SERIOUS OBSTACLE WHEN WE MAKE AN ACCOUNT OF THOSE
TO WHOM WE HAVE DONE HARM? (PARAGRAPH 6)
WE FEEL A STRONG JOLT AS WE REALIZE THAT WE ARE PREPARING TO ADMIT OUR
MISERABLE BEHAVIOR, FACE TO FACE WITH THOSE WE HAD HURT. IT HAD BEEN
PAINFUL ENOUGH TO MAKE THAT ADMISSION TO GOD, TO OURSELVES AND TO
ANOTHER HUMAN BEING, BUT THE THOUGHT OF MEETING THESE PEOPLE AND
EVEN WRITING TO THEM FRIGHTENED US. ESPECIALLY WHEN WE REMEMBER HOW
BADLY THEY THOUGHT OF US. THERE WERE ALSO CASES OF PEOPLE WE HAD
HARMED WITHOUT THEM REALIZING IT, FORTUNATELY.
7. WHAT PRETENSE DO WE CLING TO IN ORDER TO AVOID THE INVENTORY?
(PARAGRAPH 7)
WE CLUNG TO THE PRETENSE THAT WHEN WE DRANK WE WERE NOT HURTING
ANYONE BUT OURSELVES. OUR FAMILIES DID NOT SUFFER BECAUSE WE ALWAYS
COVERED THE HOUSEHOLD EXPENSES, AND WE NEVER DRANK AT HOME. OUR
PARTNERS OR BUSINESS PARTNERS OR BOSSES HAD NO COMPLAINTS ABOUT US,
BECAUSE WE ALWAYS FULFILLED OUR OBLIGATIONS. OUR REPUTATION HAD NOT
DETERIORATED, BECAUSE WE WERE SURE THAT FEW PEOPLE KNEW THAT WE
DRANK. THOSE WHO KNEW ABOUT IT TOLD US THAT IT WAS A JOYFUL PARTY, THAT
IT WAS JUST A SMALL FAULT IN A RESPONSIBLE MAN.
8. WHAT DOES IT MEAN: "WE MUST IN ANY CASE MAKE AN ACCURATE AND
COMPLETE EXAMINATION OF OUR PAST? (PARAGRAPH 8)
IN SOME CASES IT IS ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO MAKE REPAIRS, AND IN
OTHERS THE ACTION IS DIFFERENT. WE MUST IN ANY CASE MAKE AN ACCURATE
AND COMPLETE EXAMINATION OF OUR PAST IN TERMS OF HOW WE HAVE
AFFECTED OTHERS. IN MANY CASES WE WILL FIND THAT ALTHOUGH THE HARM
CAUSED TO OTHERS HAS NOT BEEN SERIOUS, THE EMOTIONAL DAMAGE WE HAVE
CAUSED TO OURSELVES HAS BEEN.
9. WHAT WAS IT THAT CAUSED OUR PERSONALITIES TO BECOME VIOLENTLY
DEFORMED? (PARAGRAPH 8)
THERE ARE DEEP EMOTIONAL CONFLICTS, SOMETIMES COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN,
THAT PERSIST BELOW THE LEVEL OF CONSCIOUSNESS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THOSE
 CONFLICTS MAY HAVE ACTUALLY DEFORMED OUR PERSONALITY IN SUCH A
VIOLENT WAY, THAT THEY HAVE SINCE OVERSHADOWED OUR TRUE PERSONALITY
AND ALTERED IN THE WORST CASE: OUR OWN LIFE.
10. WHAT IS THE FIELD THAT CAN GIVE US VALUABLE REWARDS? (PARAGRAPH 9)

WHILE REPAIRING THE DAMAGE WE HAVE CAUSED TO OTHERS IS PARAMOUNT, IT

IS EQUALLY NECESSARY THAT WE DRAW FROM THE EXAMINATION OF OUR
PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS ALL THE INFORMATION WE CAN ABOUT OURSELVES
AND OUR DIFFICULTIES. SINCE IRREGULAR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER HUMAN
BEINGS HAVE ALMOST ALWAYS BEEN THE IMMEDIATE CAUSE OF OUR DIFFICULTIES,
INCLUDING THAT OF ALCOHOLISM, IN NO OTHER FIELD OF ACTION COULD WE FIND
SUCH VALUABLE REWARDS AS IN THIS INFORMATION OBTAINED. IF WE REFLECT
SERENELY ON OUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS, OUR KNOWLEDGE WILL BE MORE
INTENSE.
11. WHAT DOES IT MEAN: TO HAVE CAUSED HARM TO ANOTHER PERSON"?
(PARAGRAPH 1) 0
TO DEFINE THE WORD "HARM" IN A PRACTICAL WAY, WE CAN SAY THAT IT IS THE
RESULT OF INSTINCTS THAT COLLIDE WITH EACH OTHER AND CAUSE PHYSICAL,
MENTAL, EMOTIONAL OR SPIRITUAL HARM TO SOMEONE. IF OUR BAD TEMPER IS
PERSISTENT, WE PROVOKE ANGER IN OTHERS. IF WE LIE OR DECEIVE, WE ROB
OTHERS NOT ONLY OF THEIR EARTHLY GOODS, BUT ALSO OF THEIR EMOTIONAL
SECURITY AND PEACE OF MIND.
12. WHAT ARE THE LEAST SERIOUS DAMAGES? (PARAGRAPH 1) 3

LET US EXAMINE SOME OF THE LESS SERIOUS ONES, BUT WHICH CAN SOMETIMES
BE AS DAMAGING AS THE OTHERS. LET US SUPPOSE THAT IN OUR HOME LIFE WE
ARE SELFISH, IRRESPONSIBLE, INDIFFERENT OR COLD; THAT WE ARE IRRITABLE,
CRITICAL, IMPATIENT AND MOODY. WE SHOWER ATTENTION ON ONE MEMBER OF
OUR FAMILY AND IGNORE THE OTHERS.
13. WHERE SHOULD WE LOOK FOR THE PEOPLE WE HAVE OFFENDED? (PARAGRAPH 1)
2
HAVING CAREFULLY EXAMINED THIS WHOLE AREA OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS,
AND DECIDED EXACTLY WHICH OF OUR PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS ARE THE
ONES THAT HAVE HURT OR UPSET OTHERS, WE CAN NOW BEGIN TO SEARCH OUR
MEMORY FOR THE PEOPLE WE HAVE OFFENDED.
14. WHAT SUGGESTIONS ARE THERE FOR MAKING A LIST OF PEOPLE WE HAVE
OFFENDED? (PARAGRAPH) 12
THEN, AS WE LOOK BACK OVER THE YEARS, AS FAR BACK AS WE CAN REMEMBER,
WE CAN MAKE A LONG LIST OF THE PEOPLE WE HAVE HARMED TO A GREATER OR
LESSER DEGREE.
15. WHAT WILL ENCOURAGE US IN CASE OF HESITATION? (PARAGRAPH 1) 3

IF WE ARE HESITANT, IT WILL ENCOURAGE US TO REMEMBER WHAT THE

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS EXPERIENCE HAS MEANT TO OTHERS IN THIS STEP. IS
THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF ISOLATION FROM OUR FELLOW MEN AND FROM
GOD.
THE SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLE: Self-discipline

How to follow this eighth step

Try to make a real effort to reach out to those you have harmed, the willingness to begin the
healing process is a very important step.
EIGHTH STEP PRAYER
Higher Power, I need Your help to make my list of all those I have offended. I will take
responsibility for my mistakes and forgive others as You forgive me. Grant me the willingness
to begin my restitution. This is my request.

NINTH STEP

WE MADE DIRECT REPARATION TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE

FOR THE DAMAGE CAUSED, EXCEPT WHEN
DOING SO IMPLIED HARM
TO THEM OR TO OTHERS.

1. WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES WE NEED TO TAKE THE NINTH STEP? (PARAGRAPH 1)
KNOWLEDGE, TIMING AND CAUTION. THESE ARE THE QUALITIES NEEDED TO TAKE
THE NINTH STEP
2. HOW CAN WE DIVIDE THE PEOPLE WE NEED TO ADDRESS INTO SEVERAL CLASSES?
2
*1) THERE WILL BE THOSE WE SHOULD APPROACH, AS SOON AS WE ARE
REASONABLY CONFIDENT THAT WE CAN STAY SOBER.
2) THERE WILL BE OTHERS TO WHOM WE CAN ONLY PARTIALLY REPAIR THE
DAMAGE WE HAVE CAUSED, IF THE FULL DISCLOSURE OF OUR FAULTS WILL CAUSE
THEM MORE HARM THAN GOOD.
3)THERE WILL BE THOSE IN WHICH WE MUST DEFER ACTION AND
4) THERE WILL BE OTHERS WHICH, BY THE VERY NATURE OF THE SITUATION, WE
WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO REPAIR.
3. WHAT IS A RECKLESS ATTITUDE AT THIS STAGE"? (PARAGRAPH 3)

WE ALMOST ALWAYS WANT TO GO FURTHER AND ADMIT THAT WE HAVE OTHER

FLAWS THAT HAVE MADE IT DIFFICULT TO LIVE WITH US. THIS WILL BE A VERY
DIFFERENT MOMENT FROM THOSE TIMES WHEN, STILL SUFFERING FROM THE LAST
HANGOVER, WE ALTERNATED BETWEEN FEELING DISGUSTED WITH OURSELVES
AND BLAMING OUR FAMILY AND EVERYONE ELSE FOR OUR CONDITION. AT THIS
STAGE IT MAY BE IMPRUDENT TO GO INTO THE DETAILS OF CERTAIN DISTRESSING
EPISODES. ALTHOUGH WE ARE WILLING TO REVEAL THE WORST, WE MUST
REMEMBER THAT WE CANNOT OBTAIN OUR PEACE OF MIND IF WE DO SO AT THE
EXPENSE OF OTHERS.
4. WHAT DOES "FIRST WE WANT TO BE REASONABLY SURE THAT AA IS LIGHTING
THE WAY" MEAN? (PARAGRAPH 4)
 THEN WE WILL BE READY TO APPROACH THOSE PEOPLE AND TELL THEM THAT IT IS
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO. IN SUCH
CIRCUMSTANCES WE CAN UNRESERVEDLY ADMIT THE HARM WE HAVE CAUSED
THEM, AND WE CAN ASK FOR THEIR FORGIVENESS. WE CAN PAY OR OFFER TO PAY
ALL DEBTS OF A FINANCIAL NATURE, OR OF ANY OTHER NATURE THAT WE MAY
HAVE. WE WILL OFTEN BE SURPRISED AT THE GENEROUS WELCOME GIVEN TO OUR
SERENE HONESTY. EVEN THE MOST SEVERE AND OFFENDED OF OUR CREDITORS
WILL GIVE US CERTAIN PRIVILEGES AT THE FIRST ATTEMPT WE MAKE.
5. HOW CAN WE PREPARE OURSELVES SO THAT THESE REACTIONS DO NOT DIVERT
US FROM OUR FIRM PURPOSE? (PARAGRAPH 5)
THIS WILL INDUCE US TO STUBBORNLY DEFEND OUR POINT OF VIEW. OR IT MAY
CAUSE US TO FALL INTO DESPAIR AND PESSIMISM. BUT IF WE HAVE ALREADY BEEN
PREPARING OURSELVES TO FACE ANY SITUATION OF THIS NATURE, THESE
REACTIONS WILL NOT DIVERT US FROM OUR FIRM PURPOSE.
6. What DOES PRUDENCE HAVE TO DO WITH RESPONSIBILITY? (PARAGRAPH 6)

AFTER THIS PRELIMINARY TEST OF TRYING TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE WE HAVE

CAUSED, WE MAY FEEL SUCH A GREAT RELIEF THAT WE CONCLUDE THAT OUR TASK
IS FINISHED. WE WILL PRETEND TO REST ON OUR LAURELS. WE MAY ALSO BE
TEMPTED TO OVERLOOK THE MORE HUMILIATING AND DREADED ENCOUNTERS
THAT STILL LIE AHEAD OF US. WE WILL OFTEN INVENT JUSTIFIABLE EXCUSES TO
AVOID THESE SITUATIONS, OR WE WILL SIMPLY POSTPONE THE OPPORTUNITY TO
DO SO, TELLING OURSELVES THAT THE TIME IS NOT YET RIPE. WHEN IN FACT WE
ARE MISSING MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO REPAIR SOME SERIOUS DAMAGE.
7. WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME TO TALK TO THE PEOPLE WE HAVE OFFENDED?
(PARAGRAPH 7)
AS SOON AS WE BEGIN TO FEEL CONFIDENT IN OUR WAY OF LIVING, AND HAVE
BEGUN BY OUR NEW BEHAVIOR AND EXAMPLE TO CONVINCE THOSE AROUND US
THAT WE ARE CHANGING FOR THE BETTER, IT IS USUALLY TIMELY TO SPEAK TO
THOSE WHOM WE HAVE SEVERELY HARMED AND EVEN TO THOSE WHO HAVE NOT
REALIZED THE HARM WE ONCE CAUSED THEM.
8. WHAT IS THE CONSIDERATION THAT LIMITS OUR DESIRE TO DISCLOSE THE
TOTALITY OF DAMAGES? (PARAGRAPH 8)
THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE CONSIDERATION THAT RESTRICTS OUR DESIRE TO
DISCLOSE TO ANYONE IN FULL THE HARM WE HAVE CAUSED. THIS REASON WILL BE
IN THE EVENT THAT BY MAKING A FULL DISCLOSURE, THE PERSON TO WHOM WE
ARE TRYING TO REPAIR THE HARM WE HAVE CAUSED IS HARMED.
9. WHAT TRICKY PROBLEMS CAN ARISE? (PARAGRAPH 9)

THERE IS CERTAINLY NO ONE ANSWER THAT SATISFIES ALL THESE DOUBTS. BUT ALL
REQUIRE FULL WILLINGNESS TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE WE HAVE CAUSED, AS SOON
AND AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, WITHIN THE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF EACH CASE.
10. HOW CAN WE BE SURE THAT WE ARE NOT DELAYING THE REPAIR OF DAMAGE
BECAUSE WE ARE AFRAID? (PARAGRAPH 9)
 WE MUST TRY TO BE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THAT WE ARE NOT DELAYING THIS TASK
BECAUSE WE ARE AFRAID. BECAUSE OF THE WILLINGNESS TO ACCEPT ALL THE
CONSEQUENCES OF OUR PAST ACTIONS,
11. What IS THE TRUE ESSENCE OF THE NINTH STEP? (PARAGRAPH 1) 0

TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WELFARE OF OTHERS IS THE VERY ESSENCE OF

THE NINTH STEP.

*Types of persons to repair the damage (4)

1) There will be those whom we should approach, as soon as we are reasonably confident
that we can stay sober.

2) There will be others to whom we can only partially repair the damage we caused them, if
the full disclosure of our faults will cause them more harm than good.

3) There will be those in which we must defer action and

4) There will be others that, by the very nature of the situation, we will never be able to
repair.

THE SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLE: Love for others

How to follow this ninth step

Forgive yourself, ask God for forgiveness and ask for forgiveness from those you have hurt.

NINTH STEP PRAYER

Higher Power, I pray for the right attitude to make my amends, always being mindful not to
harm others in the process. I ask for Your guidance in making indirect amends by remaining
abstinent, helping others and growing in spiritual progress.
 TENTH STEP

WE CONTINUED TO MAKE OUR PERSONAL INVENTORY

AND WHEN WE MADE A MISTAKE
WE ADMITTED IT IMMEDIATELY

1. HOW DO WE PREPARE FOR THE ADVENTURE OF A NEW LIFE? (PARAGRAPH 1)

BUT WHEN WE REACH THE TENTH STEP, WE BEGIN TO PUT INTO PRACTICE OUR
NEW WAY OF LIVING DAY BY DAY AND IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, EVERYTHING WE
HAVE LEARNED IN ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS.
2. WHAT DOES IT MEAN: "WE CAN LIVE HAVING USEFUL GOALS, IN WHATEVER
SITUATION WE ARE IN"? (PARAGRAPH) 1

3. What ARE: "TRUE NEEDS OF US ALCOHOLICS"? (PARAGRAPH 3)

4. WHAT IS EMOTIONAL RAWNESS? (PARAGRAPH 3)

IS THE DIRECT RESULT OF THE EXCESS OF NEGATIVE EMOTIONS COMMITTED

YESTERDAY, AND SOMETIMES TODAY - ANGER, FEAR, JEALOUSY AND THE LIKE - IF
WE ARE TO LIVE SERENELY TODAY AND TOMORROW, WE NEED TO ELIMINATE
THESE EMOTIONAL CRUDITIES.
5. HOW DO WE ELIMINATE THESE EMOTIONAL CRUDITIES? (PARAGRAPH 3)

THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE REMEMBER THE PAST WITH SOFTNESS. MEANS
ADMITTING AND CORRECTING OUR SHORTCOMINGS NOW. THE DAILY INVENTORY
ALLOWS US TO LIQUIDATE OUR PAST. WHEN WE TAKE STOCK AND ARE AT PEACE
WITH OURSELVES, WE WILL HAVE THE CONVICTION THAT TOMORROW'S
CHALLENGES WILL BE MET AS THEY ARISE.
6. WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF INVENTORIES CONSIDERED? (PARAGRAPH 4)

1) There is the inventory that is made at the moment and at any time if one is
confused.
2) There is the one that is done at the end of the day, when the events of the hours
that have just passed are reviewed, here a balance is made noting in favor of what
was done well, and against what was done badly.
3) There are also occasions when alone with the sponsor or spiritual advisor, one
carefully reviews the progress made since the last time the thorough moral
inventory was taken.
4) Many ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS are in favor of taking a thorough moral
 inventory twice a year.
5) Some are in favor of an occasional retreat in which, away from the world and in
complete tranquility, they can make a general review of their lives and practice
meditation.
7. WHAT ARE THE RESULTS OF ENGAGING IN THIS PRACTICE? (PARAGRAPH 5)

ONCE WE ARE ON TRACK IN THIS PRACTICE, IT WILL BE SO INTERESTING AND

PROFITABLE THAT WE WILL NOT CARE HOW MUCH TIME WE SPEND ON IT, BECAUSE
THOSE MINUTES, AND SOMETIMES THOSE HOURS DEDICATED TO SELF-
EXAMINATION, CAN MAKE THE REST OF THE OTHER HOURS OF THE DAY BETTER
AND HAPPIER. AND IN THE END OUR INVENTORIES BECOME A NORMAL PART OF
OUR DAILY LIVES, NO LONGER SOMETHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY.
8. Why IS THE SPIRITUAL AXIOMA A TRUTH FOR US ALCOHOLICS? (PARAGRAPH 7)

FOR THOSE OF US WHO ARE MEMBERS OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, THIS

EXCEPTION IS DANGEROUS. WE HAVE DISCOVERED THAT JUSTIFIED ANGER IS ONLY
FOR THOSE WHO CAN HANDLE IT.
9. WHAT DISTURBANCES ARE CONSIDERED IN THE DAILY QUICK INVENTORY?
(PARAGRAPH 8)
OTHER KINDS OF DISTURBANCES SUCH AS JEALOUSY, ENVY, SELF-PITY, HURT SELF-
ESTEEM AND OTHERS, ALSO LED US TO THE SAME THING: TO THE BOTTLE OR TO
BEING UNHAPPY.
10. HOW DOES THE QUICK DAILY INVENTORY HELP US ? (PARAGRAPH 9)

THE QUICK DAILY INVENTORY HELPS US ESPECIALLY IN THE UPS AND DOWNS OF
OUR DAILY LIFE, AND IN PARTICULAR, WHEN IT COMES TO PEOPLE OR EVENTS THAT
BREAK OUR BALANCE, AND LEAD US TO COMMIT NEW FAULTS.
11. WHAT ARE THE FOUR SUGGESTIONS IN THIS INVENTORY? (PARAGRAPH 9)

1) HONEST ANALYSIS OF EACH ONE OF THEM, FROM

2) WILLINGNESS TO
3) ADMITTING OUR GUILT WHEN WE HAVE IT AND IN THE SAME WAY
4) WILLINGNESS TO FORGIVE WHEN OTHERS ARE TO BLAME.
5) WE SHOULD NOT BE DISCOURAGED WHEN WE FALL INTO THE MISTAKES OF OUR
OLD WAYS, BECAUSE THIS DISCIPLINE IS NOT EASY.
6) WE MUST STRIVE FOR PROGRESS AND NOT PERFECTION.
7) WE MUST AVOID ANGRY CRITICISM, JUST AS WE MUST AVOID THE
8) BAD MOOD AND
9) SILENT DISDAIN. THESE ARE EMOTIONAL TRAPS SET BY PRIDE AND VANITY. WE
MUST LOOK AT THEM WITH CARE. BECAUSE WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO THINK AND
ACT PROPERLY UNTIL THE HABIT OF MODERATION BECOMES AUTOMATIC.

12. WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST REGARDING MODERATION? (PARAGRAPH 1) 0

OUR FIRST OBJECTIVE WILL BE TO PROMOTE MODERATION. THIS OCCUPIES A

MAJOR PLACE. WHEN WE SPEAK OR ACT LIGHTLY OR UNWISELY, THE ABILITY TO BE
 FAIR DISAPPEARS ON THE SPOT. A HURTFUL EXIT OR A STUBBORNLY ISSUED
JUDGMENT CAN TARNISH AN ENTIRE DAY OR EVEN A YEAR IN OUR RELATIONSHIP
WITH ANOTHER PERSON.
13. WHAT ARE THE EMOTIONAL TRAPS THAT PRIDE AND VANITY SET FOR US?
(PARAGRAPH 1) 1
WE MUST AVOID ANGRY CRITICISM, AS WELL AS BAD HUMOR AND SILENT DISDAIN.
THESE ARE EMOTIONAL TRAPS SET BY PRIDE AND VANITY. WE MUST LOOK AT THEM
WITH CARE. BECAUSE WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO THINK AND ACT PROPERLY UNTIL
THE HABIT OF MODERATION BECOMES AUTOMATIC.
14. WHAT OTHER EMOTIONAL ASPECTS SHOULD WE BE EQUALLY CAREFUL ABOUT?
(PARAGRAPH 1) 2
WE MUST BE EQUALLY CAREFUL WHEN WE BEGIN TO HAVE SOME DEGREE OF
IMPORTANCE AND MATERIAL SUCCESS, BECAUSE NO ONE IS MORE SATISFIED WITH
THAT KIND OF SUCCESS THAN WE ARE, BECAUSE WE USED TO GET DRUNK WITH
THEM, CONFIDENT THAT THEY WOULD ALWAYS CAUSE US EUPHORIA.
15. WHAT IS THE MEASURE WE MUST TAKE TO AVOID OUR DREAMS OF GRANDEUR?
(PARAGRAPH 1) 3
AS A MEASURE TO AVOID OUR DREAMS OF GRANDEUR, WE CAN PAUSE AND
REMEMBER THAT WE ARE ONLY SOBER BY THE GRACE OF GOD, AND THAT ANY
SUCCESS WE ACHIEVE IS DUE MORE TO HIM THAN TO US.
16. HOW DO WE BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND LOVE OF NEIGHBOR? (PARAGRAPH 1) 4

WHEN THE MOMENT COMES, WE BEGIN TO REALIZE THAT ALL PEOPLE, INCLUDING
OURSELVES, HAVE SOME EMOTIONAL EVIL AND THAT THEY ARE OFTEN WRONG
TOO, IT MEANS THAT WE ARE APPROACHING TOLERANCE, AND THAT WE ARE
BEGINNING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT LOVE AND TOLERANCE OF OTHERS IS.
17. WHAT SHOULD WE DO, EVEN IF ONLY GRADUALLY? (PARAGRAPH 1) 5

EVEN GRADUALLY, WE WILL HAVE TO DISCARD THE IDEA THAT WE CAN BE

AFFECTIONATE WITH SOME PEOPLE AND INDIFFERENT WITH OTHERS, AND THAT
WE CAN CONTINUE TO HATE OR FEAR ANYONE.
18. WHAT CAN WE DO WHEN WE ARE UNCERTAIN? (PARAGRAPH 1) 7

WHEN WE ARE UNCERTAIN, WE CAN PAUSE AND EXCLAIM: "THY WILL BE DONE,
AND NOT MINE". AND WE CAN OFTEN ASK OURSELVES:-AM I ACTING TOWARDS
OTHERS AS I WOULD LIKE THEM TO ACT TOWARDS ME?
19. WHAT COMES BEFORE SOBRIETY AND SERENITY? (PARAGRAPH 1) 8

A SAGE SAID THAT "PAIN IS THE TOUCHSTONE OF SPIRITUAL PROGRESS" WE A.A.'S

AGREE COMPLETELY ON THIS, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THE HEAVINESS THAT
CAME WITH DRINKING HAD TO COME BEFORE SOBRIETY, AND THE EMOTIONAL
DISTURBANCES BEFORE SERENITY.
20. WHAT RESOLUTION SHOULD WE MAKE WHEN REVIEWING THE DAY'S BALANCE
SHEET? (PARAGRAPH 1) 9
 IN THIS CASE WE JUST NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT WE ACTED OR THOUGHT WRONG,
TRY TO REALIZE HOW WE COULD HAVE DONE IT BETTER. WE MUST RESOLVE TO
MAKE AMENDS, WITH GOD'S HELP, TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE PAST
EXPERIENCES IN THE FUTURE, MAKING THE NECESSARY AMENDS THAT WE HAVE
FORGOTTEN.
21. HOW DOES OUR OLD ENEMY RATIONALISM ACT? (PARAGRAPH 2) 0

THERE ARE CASES IN WHICH OUR OLD ENEMY, RATIONALISM, COMES TO THE FORE
JUSTIFYING AN ATTITUDE OF OURS THAT IS ACTUALLY WRONG. IT IS AT THESE
MOMENTS THAT WE CAN IMAGINE THAT WE HAVE VERY GOOD REASONS AND
MOTIVES FOR BELIEVING WHAT WE DO NOT REALLY HAVE.
22. WHAT IS THE ESSENCE OF CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT? (PARAGRAPH 2) 1

THE ESSENCE OF CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT LIES IN DETECTING, ADMITTING AND

CORRECTING THESE FLAWS. *1) SINCERE REPENTANCE FOR THE FAULTS WE HAVE
COMMITTED, 2) GENUINE GRATITUDE FOR THE BLESSINGS WE HAVE RECEIVED, AND
3) WILLINGNESS TO ACHIEVE HIGHER GOALS, WILL BE THE POSITIVE ENDS TO
WHICH WE ASPIRE.
23. HOW CAN WE SLEEP WITH A CLEAR CONSCIENCE? (PARAGRAPH 2) 2

HAVING CONSIDERED OUR DAY IN THIS WAY, WITHOUT EXCLUDING TO NOTE IN

OUR INVENTORY WHAT HAS BEEN DONE WELL OR BADLY, AND HAVING
PENETRATED OUR HEART WITHOUT FEAR OR PARTIALITY, WE WILL BE ABLE TO
THANK GOD FOR THE BLESSINGS WE HAVE RECEIVED, AND SLEEP WITH A CLEAR
CONSCIENCE.

*Inventory types (5)

1) There is the inventory that is done at the moment and at any time if one is confused.
2) There is the one that is done at the end of the day, when the events of the hours that
have just passed are reviewed, here a balance is made noting in favor of what was done
well, and against what was done badly.
3) There are also occasions when alone with the sponsor or spiritual advisor, one carefully
reviews the progress made since the last time the thorough moral inventory was taken.
4) Many ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS are in favor of taking a thorough moral inventory twice
a year.
5) Some are in favor of an occasional retreat in which, away from the world and in complete
tranquility, they can make a general review of their lives and practice meditation.

*Suggestions for moderation (9)

1) honest analysis of each one of them, from

2) willingness to
3) admitting our guilt when we have it and equally
4) willingness to forgive when others are to blame.
5) We should not be discouraged when we fall into the mistakes of our old ways, because
this discipline is not easy.
6) We must strive for progress and not perfection.
7) We must avoid angry criticism, just as we must avoid the
8) bad mood and
9) silent disdain. These are emotional traps set by pride and vanity. We must look at them
carefully. Because we will not be able to think and act properly until the habit of moderation
becomes automatic.
*Keys to harmony: (4)
1)Courtesy,
2)kindness,
3)justice and
4)love
*Positive Purposes (3)
*1) A sincere repentance for the faults we have committed,
2)a genuine gratitude for the blessings we have received, and
3) willingness to achieve higher goals will be the positive ends to which we aspire.

THE SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLE: Perseverance

How to follow this Tenth step

Continue to maintain your spiritual side and your relationships with others and with God. Be a
good person, trust that God will help you in these hard times.

TENTH STEP PRAYER

Dear God, I pray that I may continue to grow in understanding and effectiveness; to take a daily
inventory of myself; to correct mistakes when I make them; to take responsibility for my actions;
to always be aware of my negative and harmful compartments. to keep my good will; to
remember always that I need Your help; to have love and tolerance for others as my code; and
to seek in daily prayers how I can best serve You.
 ELEVENTH STEP

WE SEEK THROUGH PRAYER AND MEDITATION TO IMPROVE OUR CONSCIOUS CONTACT

WITH GOD, AS WE CONCEIVE IT, ASKING HIM ONLY TO LET US KNOW HIS WILL FOR US
AND GIVE US THE STRENGTH TO FULFILL IT.

1. What IS THE GENERALIZED ATTITUDE TO PRAYER AND MEDITATION?

(PARAGRAPH 2)
SO IT IS NOT SURPRISING THAT SOMETIMES WE TEND TO UNDERVALUE PRAYER
AND MEDITATION, CONSIDERING THEM AS THINGS THAT ARE NOT NECESSARY IN
OUR LIVES. WE BELIEVE THAT IT IS SOMETHING THAT CAN HELP US WHEN SOME
URGENT PROBLEM ARISES, BUT AT FIRST, MANY OF US OFTEN CONSIDER PRAYER
AS A KIND OF MYSTERIOUS CLERICAL MANEUVER, FROM WHICH WE CAN EXPECT
TO GET SOME SECOND-HAND BENEFIT. OR MAYBE WE DON'T BELIEVE IN THESE
THINGS.
2. WHAT HAPPENED WHEN WE FINALLY EXPERIENCED PRAYER AND MEDITATION"?
(PARAGRAPH) 3
OF COURSE, WHEN WE FINALLY EXPERIMENTED; AND WHEN WE OBTAINED
UNEXPECTED RESULTS, WE CHANGED OUR MINDS; IN FACT WE WERE CONVINCED
OF THE EFFICACY OF PRAYER AND MEDITATION. WE HAVE ALSO DISCOVERED THAT
THE SAME THING CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE WHO TRIES TO ACHIEVE IT. IT HAS
RIGHTLY BEEN SAID THAT "THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO MAKE FUN OF PRAYER ARE
THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER REALLY TRIED TO PRAY".
3. WHAT DOES THE REMOVAL FROM PRAYER AND MEDITATION LEAD US TO "?
(PARAGRAPH 4)
THOSE OF US WHO HAVE ALREADY ACQUIRED THE HABIT OF PRAYER CANNOT DO
WITHOUT PRAYER ANY MORE THAN WE CAN DO WITHOUT AIR AND FOOD. WHEN
WE DEPRIVE OURSELVES OF AIR OR FOOD, THE BODY SUFFERS. AND LIKEWISE,
WHEN WE TURN AWAY FROM PRAYER AND MEDITATION, WE DEPRIVE OUR MIND,
EMOTIONS AND INTUITIONS OF THE VITAL SUPPORT THEY NEED. JUST AS THE BODY
CAN FAIL IN ITS FUNCTIONS FOR LACK OF FOOD, SO CAN THE SOUL.
4. WHAT IS THE RESULT OF THE DIRECT UNION BETWEEN SELF-EXAMINATION,
PRAYER AND MEDITATION? (PARAGRAPH 5)
THERE IS A DIRECT LINK BETWEEN SELF-EXAMINATION AND PRAYER AND
MEDITATION. SEPARATELY, EACH OF THESE PRACTICES CAN PRODUCE GREAT
RELIEF AND GREAT BENEFITS. BUT WHEN WOVEN TOGETHER AND LINKED IN A
LOGICAL MANNER, THE RESULT IS A FIRM FOUNDATION FOR LIFE. FROM TIME TO
TIME, WE MAY BE GRANTED A GLIMPSE OF THE FUNDAMENTAL REALITY THAT IS
THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
5. WHAT IS THE SEARCH FOR SELF? (PARAGRAPH 6)

THERE IS A DIRECT LINK BETWEEN SELF-EXAMINATION AND PRAYER AND

MEDITATION. SEPARATELY, EACH OF THESE PRACTICES CAN PRODUCE GREAT
RELIEF AND GREAT BENEFITS. BUT WHEN WOVEN TOGETHER AND LINKED IN A
 LOGICAL MANNER, THE RESULT IS A FIRM FOUNDATION FOR LIFE. FROM TIME TO
TIME, WE MAY BE GRANTED A GLIMPSE OF THE FUNDAMENTAL REALITY THAT IS
THE KINGDOM OF GOD. WE WILL HAVE COMFORT AND BE ASSURED THAT OUR
OWN DESTINY IS SECURE IN THAT REALM, AS LONG AS WE TRY, NO MATTER HOW
HESITANT WE MAY BE IN TRYING TO FIND AND DO THE WILL OF OUR CREATOR.

6. WHY IS MEDITATION COMPARED TO SUNLIGHT? (PARAGRAPH 7)

WE WILL WANT THE GOOD IN ALL OF US TO GROW AND FLOURISH, EVEN IN THE
WORST OF US. WE WILL CERTAINLY NEED FRESH AIR AND PLENTY OF FOOD. BUT
ABOVE ALL WE WILL WANT SUNLIGHT; THERE IS LITTLE THAT CAN GROW IN THE
DARK. MEDITATION IS OUR STEP TOWARDS THE SUN.

7. HOW IS IT THAT, BY EXAMINING THE PRAYERS OF THE GREAT MEN OF ALL

RELIGIONS, WE CAN MEDITATE? (PARAGRAPH 9)
WELL, WE COULD START AS FOLLOWS. LET US FIRST LOOK FOR A GOOD PRAYER. WE
WILL NOT HAVE TO LOOK FAR; THE GREAT MEN AND WOMEN OF ALL RELIGIONS
HAVE BEQUEATHED US A WONDERFUL COLLECTION. WE WILL CONSIDER HERE ONE
THAT IS AMONG THE CLASSICS.
8. WHAT SHOULD WE DO AS BEGINNERS IN MEDITATION? (PARAGRAPH 1) 1

SINCE WE ARE BEGINNERS IN MEDITATION, IT MAY BE CONVENIENT TO REREAD

THIS PRAYER SEVERAL TIMES VERY SLOWLY, SAVORING EACH WORD AND TRYING
TO ABSORB THE DEEP MEANING OF EACH PHRASE AND IDEA.
9. WHAT WILL BE OUR ATTITUDE IN THE MEDITATIVE STATE? (PARAGRAPH 1) 2

AS IF WE WERE LYING ON A SUNNY BEACH, LET US CALM OURSELVES AND BREATHE

DEEPLY THE SPIRITUAL ATMOSPHERE THAT, BY THE GRACE OF THIS PRAYER,
SURROUNDS US. LET US PREPARE OURSELVES TO FEEL AND BE STRENGTHENED AND
UPLIFTED BY THE GREAT BEAUTY, LOVE AND SPIRITUAL POWER EXPRESSED BY
THESE MAGNIFICENT WORDS.
10. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CONSTRUCTIVE IMAGINATION AND
MEDITATION? (PARAGRAPH 1) 4
THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH CONSTRUCTIVE IMAGINATION; EVERY SAFE AND
DESIRABLE ACHIEVEMENT IS BASED ON IT. AFTER ALL, NO ONE CAN BUILD A HOUSE
UNTIL HE HAS DEVISED A PLAN TO BUILD IT. WELL, MEDITATION IS ALSO LIKE THAT.
HELPS US TO CONCEIVE OF OUR SPIRITUAL OBJECTIVE BEFORE WE BEGIN TO MOVE
FORWARD TO ACHIEVE IT. SO LET'S GO BACK TO THAT SUNNY BEACH - OR, IF YOU
PREFER, TO THE PLAINS OR THE MOUNTAINS.
11. WHAT IS ONE OF THE FIRST RESULTS YOU GET FROM MEDITATION? (PARAGRAPH
1) 8
ONE OF ITS FIRST FRUITS IS EMOTIONAL BALANCE. BY USING MEDITATION, WE CAN
WIDEN AND DEEPEN THE CONDUIT BETWEEN US AND GOD, AS EACH ONE
CONCEIVES IT.
12. HOW IS PRAYER CONSIDERED COMMUMENTE? (PARAGRAPH 1) 9
 TO PRAY IS TO LIFT THE HEART AND MIND TO GOD - AND IN THIS SENSE PRAYER
INCLUDES MEDITATION.
13. IN WHAT WAY ARE WE ASKING GOD TO WORK IN OUR WAY? (PARAGRAPH 2) 0

IN THIS CASE, WE ARE ASKING GOD TO WORK IN OUR WAY. THEREFORE, WE MUST
CONSIDER EACH REQUEST CAREFULLY IN ORDER TO APPRECIATE IT ON ITS TRUE
MERITS. EVEN SO, WHEN MAKING ANY SPECIFIC REQUEST, IT WILL BE CONVENIENT
TO ADD THE WORDS ". . . IF THAT IS YOUR WILL". WE SIMPLY ASK GOD TO HELP US,
THROUGHOUT THE DAY, TO KNOW, AS BEST WE CAN, HIS WILL FOR THAT DAY AND
TO GRANT US SUFFICIENT GRACE TO FULFILL IT.
14. HOW WILL WE BE FOLLOWING THE PURPOSE OF THE ELEVENTH STEP?
(PARAGRAPH 2) 1
IN THESE CRITICAL MOMENTS, IF WE REMIND OURSELVES THAT "IT IS BETTER TO
CONSOLE THAN TO BE CONSOLED, TO UNDERSTAND THAN TO BE UNDERSTOOD, TO
LOVE THAN TO BE LOVED", WE ARE IN CONFORMITY WITH THE INTENTION OF THE
ELEVENTH STEP.
15. WHAT ARE THE WELL-INTENTIONED UNCONSCIOUS RATIONALIZATIONS?
(PARAGRAPH 2) 3
WITH HIS BEST INTENTIONS, TENDS TO IMPOSE HIS OWN WILL IN ALL KINDS OF
SITUATIONS AND PROBLEMS, WITH THE COMFORTABLE ASSURANCE THAT HE IS
ACTING UNDER THE SPECIFIC DIRECTION OF GOD.
16. ON WHAT BASIS DO WE ASK THAT GOD'S WILL BE FULFILLED IN OTHER PEOPLE?
(PARAGRAPH 2) 5
OF COURSE, THESE PRAYERS ARE FUNDAMENTALLY ACTS OF GOOD WILL, BUT THEY
ARE OFTEN BASED ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT WE KNOW GOD'S WILL FOR THE
PERSON WE ARE PRAYING FOR. THIS MEANS THAT SINCERE PRAYER MAY BE
ACCOMPANIED BY A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF PRESUMPTION AND VANITY. THE
EXPERIENCE OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS INDICATES THAT ESPECIALLY IN THESE
CASES WE SHOULD PRAY THAT GOD'S WILL, WHATEVER IT MAY BE, BE DONE FOR
OTHERS AS WELL AS FOR OURSELVES.
17. WHAT ARE THE THREE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF PRACTICING PRAYER?
(PARAGRAPH 2) 7
ANYONE WHO HAS PERSISTED IN PRAYER HAS FOUND A STRENGTH HE COULD NOT
NORMALLY COUNT ON. HAS FOUND WISDOM BEYOND HIS USUAL CAPACITY. AND
HAS FOUND, MORE AND MORE, A PEACE OF MIND THAT DOES NOT ABANDON HIM
IN THE MOST DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES.
18. WHAT ARE THE DISCOVERIES WE MAKE THROUGH THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER?
(PARAGRAPH 2) 8
WE DISCOVER THAT DIVINE GUIDANCE COMES TO US TO THE EXTENT THAT WE
STOP DEMANDING THAT GOD GRANT IT TO US AT OUR DEMAND AND ACCORDING
TO THE CONDITIONS WE IMPOSE.
19. HOW CAN WE FEEL THE BENEFIT OF PRAYER IF WE DO NOT TRY IT? (PARAGRAPH
2) 9
 WE SHOULD SIMPLY RESUME PRAYING AS SOON AS WE CAN, DOING WHAT WE
KNOW IS GOOD FOR US.
20. WHAT IS ONE OF THE BEST REWARDS OF PRAYER AND MEDITATION?
(PARAGRAPH 30)
PERHAPS ONE OF THE GREATEST REWARDS OF MEDITATION AND PRAYER IS THE
SENSE OF BELONGING THAT COMES OVER US. WE NO LONGER LIVE IN A TOTALLY
HOSTILE WORLD. WE ARE NO LONGER LOST, FRIGHTENED AND IRRESOLUTE
PEOPLE. AS SOON AS WE CATCH EVEN A GLIMPSE OF GOD'S WILL, AS SOON AS WE
BEGIN TO SEE THAT TRUTH, JUSTICE AND LOVE ARE THE REAL AND ETERNAL THINGS
OF LIFE, WE ARE NO LONGER SO PERPLEXED AND BEWILDERED BY ALL THE
APPARENT EVIDENCE TO THE CONTRARY THAT SURROUNDS US IN OUR PURELY
HUMAN AFFAIRS.

* Discussion continues -(3)

1) the chicken had existed before the egg. No doubt about it,

2) the universe had a "first cause" of some kind.

3)The atom may have alternately switched between cold and hot, but there was no evidence
of the existence of any God who knew human beings or was interested in mankind.

THE SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLE: Spiritual Awakening

HOW TO FOLLOW THIS ELEVENTH STEP

Keep close contact with God and your spiritual side, never forget that God can and will guide
you.

PRAYER OF THE ELEVENTH STEP

God, as I understand You, I pray that I maintain my connection with You. Open and remove from
me the confusion of daily life. Through my prayers and meditations I ask especially for the
liberation of my will, rationalization and dreams that cannot be fulfilled. I pray for the guidance
of right thoughts and positive action. Thy will be done, not mine.
 TWELFTH STEP

"HAVING OBTAINED A SPIRITUAL AWAKENING AS A RESULT OF THESE STEPS, WE TRY TO

BRING THE MENSEJE TO ALCOHOLICS AND TO PRACTICE THESE PRINCIPLES IN ALL OUR
AFFAIRS."

1. WHAT IS THE THEME OF THIS STEP? (PARAGRAPH 1)

"THE JOY OF LIVING"
2. WHY IS ACTION YOUR KEYWORD? (PARAGRAPH 1)

IN THIS STEP WE STEP OUT OF OURSELVES AND TURN TO OUR FELLOW ALCOHOLICS
WHO ARE STILL SUFFERING. WE HAVE THE EXPERIENCE OF GIVING WITHOUT
EXPECTING ANY REWARD.
3. WHAT ARE THE RESULTS OF SPIRITUAL TRAINING? (PARAGRAPH 3)

OUR TWELFTH STEP ALSO TELLS US THAT, AS A RESULT OF PRACTICING ALL THE
STEPS, EACH OF US HAS EXPERIENCED SOMETHING CALLED A SPIRITUAL
AWAKENING. TO THE NEW MEMBERS OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, THIS MATTER
SEEMS RATHER DUBIOUS, NOT TO SAY UNBELIEVABLE. THEY ASK "WHAT DO YOU
MEAN BY A 'SPIRITUAL AWAKENING'?".
THERE MAY BE AS MANY DEFINITIONS OF SPIRITUAL AWAKENING AS THERE ARE
PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED IT. HOWEVER, THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT ALL
THOSE THAT ARE AUTHENTIC HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON. AND WHAT THEY
HAVE IN COMMON IS NOT VERY DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND. FOR A MAN OR
WOMAN WHO HAS EXPERIENCED A SPIRITUAL AWAKENING, THE MOST
IMPORTANT MEANING IS THAT NOW HE OR SHE CAN DO, FEEL AND BELIEVE WHAT
BEFORE, WITH HIS OR HER OWN RESOURCES AND WITHOUT HELP, HE OR SHE
COULD NOT DO. HAS BEEN GIVEN A GIFT THAT PRODUCES A NEW STATE OF
CONSCIOUSNESS AND A NEW WAY OF BEING. IS ON A PATH THAT TELLS HIM THAT
IT WILL LEAD HIM TO A SAFE DESTINATION, THAT LIFE IS NOT A DEAD END, NOT
SOMETHING TO BE ENDURED OR MASTERED.
4. HOW DO WE PREPARE OURSELVES TO RECEIVE THIS GIFT? (PARAGRAPH 4)

HAS BEEN TRULY TRANSFORMED, BECAUSE HE HAS HELD ON TO A SOURCE OF

STRENGTH THAT HE HAD PREVIOUSLY, IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, DEPRIVED
HIMSELF OF. REALIZES THAT HE HAS ACQUIRED A DEGREE OF HONESTY,
TOLERANCE, GENEROSITY, PEACE OF MIND AND LOVE THAT PREVIOUSLY SEEMED
UNATTAINABLE. WHAT HE HAS RECEIVED HAS BEEN GIVEN TO HIM FREE OF
CHARGE; HOWEVER, HE HAS USUALLY PREPARED, AT LEAST IN PART, TO RECEIVE IT.
5. WHAT CAN WE OBSERVE AND PREDICT IN THE EXPERIENCES OF THOSE WHO
DOUBTED? (PARAGRAPH 15)
SO, BY PRACTICING THESE STEPS, WE ENDED UP EXPERIENCING A SPIRITUAL
AWAKENING AND THE REALITY OF THIS EXPERIENCE WAS UNQUESTIONABLE TO US.
BY WATCHING THOSE WHO HAD ONLY MADE A BEGINNING AND STILL DOUBTED
THEMSELVES, THE REST OF US COULD SEE THE TRANSFORMATION DAWN. BASED
 ON A MULTITUDE OF SIMILAR EXPERIENCES, IT WAS POSSIBLE FOR US TO PREDICT
THAT THE UNBELIEVER WHO CONTINUED TO PROTEST THAT HE DID NOT GRASP
THE "SPIRITUAL ASPECT" AND WHO STILL CONSIDERED HIS BELOVED ALCOHOLICS
ANONYMOUS GROUP AS THE HIGHER POWER, WOULD SOON LOVE GOD AND CALL
HIM BY HIS NAME. AND WHO STILL CONSIDERED HIS BELOVED ALCOHOLICS
ANONYMOUS GROUP AS THE HIGHER POWER, WOULD SOON LOVE GOD AND CALL
HIM BY HIS NAME.

6. WHY DOES EVEN THE MOST NOVICE OF ENTRANTS FIND UNEXPECTED REWARDS?
(PARAGRAPH 17)
EVEN THE NEWEST MEMBER, WHEN HE GOES OUT OF HIS WAY TO HELP HIS
ALCOHOLIC BROTHER WHO IS EVEN MORE BLIND THAN HE IS, FINDS
UNIMAGINABLE REWARDS. THIS IS TRULY THE GIFT THAT DEMANDS NOTHING IN
RETURN. HE DOES NOT EXPECT HIS PARTNER IN CRIME TO PAY HIM, OR EVEN TO
LOVE HIM. THEN, HE REALIZES THAT, THROUGH THIS DIVINE PARADOX, BY GIVING
IN THIS WAY, WITHOUT EXPECTING ANYTHING, HE HAS FOUND HIS OWN REWARD,
WHETHER HIS BROTHER HAS RECEIVED ANYTHING OR NOT.
7. WHAT IS THE ESSENCE OF WHAT WE RECEIVE WHEN WE CARRY THE MESSAGE OF
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS? (PARAGRAPH 18)
TO SEE THE EYES OF MEN AND WOMEN OPEN IN WONDER AS THEY MOVE FROM
DARKNESS TO LIGHT, TO SEE THEIR LIVES QUICKLY FILL WITH NEW MEANING AND
DETERMINATION, TO SEE ENTIRE FAMILIES REUNITED, TO SEE THE ALCOHOLIC
REJECTED BY SOCIETY REJOIN HIS COMMUNITY AS A FULL CITIZEN, AND, ABOVE ALL,
TO SEE THESE PEOPLE DESPAIR AT THE PRESENCE OF A LOVING GOD IN THEIR LIVES
- THESE THINGS ARE THE ESSENCE OF WHAT IT IS TO SEE THESE PEOPLE DESPAIR AT
THE PRESENCE OF A LOVING GOD IN THEIR LIVES.LICO REJECTED BY SOCIETY BACK
INTO HIS OR HER COMMUNITY AS A FULL CITIZEN AND, MOST OF ALL, TO SEE THESE
PEOPLE DESPAIR AT THE PRESENCE OF A LOVING GOD IN THEIR LIVES - THESE
THINGS ARE THE ESSENCE OF WHAT WE RECEIVE WHEN WE CARRY THE MESSAGE
OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS TO ANOTHER ALCOHOLIC.
8. WHAT OTHER WAYS ARE THERE TO WORK THE TWELFTH STEP? (PARAGRAPH 19)

WE ATTEND ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS MEETINGS AND LISTEN, NOT ONLY TO

RECEIVE SOMETHING, BUT ALSO TO GIVE THE COMFORT AND SUPPORT THAT OUR
PRESENCE CAN MEAN TO OTHERS. IF IT IS OUR TURN TO SPEAK AT A MEETING,
AGAIN WE TRY TO CARRY THE MESSAGE OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WHETHER
WE HAVE ONE OR MANY LISTENERS, IT IS STILL A TWELFTH STEP JOB. EVEN FOR
THOSE OF US WHO FEEL UNABLE TO SPEAK AT MEETINGS OR WHO FIND
OURSELVES IN PLACES WHERE WE CAN'T PERSONALLY AND INDIVIDUALLY DO A LOT
OF TWELVE STEP WORK, THERE ARE NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITIES. WE MAY BE
THOSE WHO TAKE CARE OF THE UNSPECTACULAR BUT IMPORTANT TASKS THAT
MAKE IT EASIER TO DO A GOOD TWELVE-STEP JOB, PERHAPS PREPARING THE
COFFEE AND THE REFRESHMENTS SERVED AFTER THE MEETINGS; IN THIS
ATMOSPHERE OF LAUGHTER AND CONVERSATION, MANY SKEPTICAL AND
SUSPICIOUS NEWCOMERS HAVE FELT STRENGTHENED AND COMFORTED. THIS IS
TWELFTH STEP WORK IN THE BEST SENSE OF THE WORD. "FREELY WE HAVE
RECEIVED, FREELY WE MUST GIVE . . ." IS THE ESSENCE OF THIS ASPECT OF THE
 TWELFTH STEP.
9. WHAT ARE THE STAGES WE USUALLY GO THROUGH IN THE PRACTICE OF THIS
STEP? (PARAGRAPH 20)

10. WHAT ARE THE STEPPING STONES LEADING TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE
TWELFTH STEP PRACTICE? (PARAGRAPH 20)

11. WHAT DO WE UNDERSTAND CLEARLY IN THE LONG RUN? (PARAGRAPH 20)

BUT IN THE LONG RUN WE CLEARLY REALIZE THAT THESE ARE ONLY GROWING
PAINS, AND THAT THEY WILL ONLY BRING US BENEFITS IF WE INCREASINGLY TURN
TO ALL TWELVE STEPS TO FIND ANSWERS.
12. HOW DO WE FOSTER OUR DIFFICULTIES THROUGH INDIFFERENCE? (PARAGRAPH
26)

13. WHAT RISKS CAN LIFE PRESENT US WITH? (PARAGRAPH 28)

14. WHAT DO WE ACHIEVE BY CHANGING THE TWO-STEP SYSTEM TO A TWELVE-STEP

SYSTEM? (PARAGRAPH 29)
WELL, THE TRUTH IS THAT WE HAVE A CHANCE OF DOING SO IF WE GO FROM
PRACTICING TWO STEPS TO PRACTICING TWELVE STEPS, IF WE ARE WILLING TO
RECEIVE GOD'S GRACE THAT CAN STRENGTHEN AND SUSTAIN US IN THE FACE OF
ANY CATASTROPHE.
15. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO "TURN THEM INTO DEMONSTRATIONS OF FAITH?
(PARAGRAPH 30)
WE KNOW A.A. MEMBERS WHO, ALMOST WITHOUT COMPLAINT AND OFTEN WITH
GOOD HUMOR, HAVE SUFFERED LONG AND DEADLY ILLNESSES. WE HAVE SEEN
FAMILIES, TORN APART BY MISUNDERSTANDINGS, TENSIONS AND INFIDELITIES,
RECONCILE AGAIN THANKS TO A.A.'S WAY OF LIFE.
16. WHAT IS THE RESPONSE TO MAJOR CHALLENGES? (PARAGRAPH 32)

17. HOW DOES THE "MYTH" OF THE EXISTENCE OF EMOTIONAL SECURITY TURN OUT
TO BE? (PARAGRAPH 34)
OUR DESIRES FOR EMOTIONAL SECURITY AND WEALTH, FOR PERSONAL POWER
AND PRESTIGE, FOR SENTIMENTAL RELATIONSHIPS AND FAMILY SATISFACTION -
ALL OF THESE DESIRES NEED TO BE TEMPERED AND REDIRECTED. WE HAVE COME
TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE SATISFACTION OF OUR INSTINCTS CANNOT BE THE
INSTINCT TO EVERYTHING ELSE, WE HAVE STARTED THE HOUSE FROM THE ROOF,
AND WE WILL BE DRAGGED BACKWARDS INTO DISILLUSIONMENT. BUT WHEN WE
ARE WILLING TO PUT SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT FIRST - THEN AND ONLY THEN DO
 WE HAVE A REAL CHANCE TO LIVE WELL.
18. WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO DO TO FEEL EMOTIONALLY SECURE IN FRONT OF
PEOPLE? (PARAGRAPH 38)
WE COULD CLEARLY SEE THAT, IF WE WERE EVER GOING TO FEEL EMOTIONALLY
SECURE AMONG ADULTS, WE WOULD HAVE TO ADOPT A GIVE-AND-TAKE ATTITUDE
IN OUR LIVES; WE WOULD HAVE TO ACQUIRE A SENSE OF COMMUNITY OR
BROTHERHOOD WITH EVERYONE AROUND US. WE REALIZED THAT WE WOULD
HAVE TO CONSTANTLY GIVE OF OURSELVES, WITHOUT DEMANDING ANYTHING IN
RETURN.
19. WHY CAN WE NO LONGER BE EASILY SHAKEN BY THE DEFECTS OF OTHERS, NOR
BY ANY CALAMITY BEYOND OUR CONTROL? (PARAGRAPH 39)
AS WE DEVELOPED FURTHER, WE DISCOVERED THAT THE BEST POSSIBLE SOURCE
OF EMOTIONAL STABILITY WAS GOD HIMSELF. WE SAW THAT DEPENDENCE ON HIS
PERFECT JUSTICE, FORGIVENESS AND LOVE WAS HEALTHY, AND WOULD WORK
WHEN ALL ELSE FAILED US. IF WE WERE TRULY DEPENDENT ON GOD, IT WOULD
NOT BE POSSIBLE FOR US TO PLAY THE ROLE OF GOD WITH OUR PARTNERS, NOR
WOULD WE FEEL THE URGENT DESIRE TO BE TOTALLY DEPENDENT ON HUMAN
PROTECTION AND CARE. THESE WERE THE NEW ATTITUDES THAT ENDED UP GIVING
US AN INNER STRENGTH AND PEACE THAT NEITHER THE FAILURES OF OTHERS NOR
ANY CALAMITY BEYOND OUR RESPONSIBILITY COULD SHAKE.
20. HOW DO WE EXPERIENCE LONELINESS IN OUR ALCOHOLIC CAREER? (PARAGRAPH
40)
WE CAME TO REALIZE THAT THIS NEW ATTITUDE WAS ESPECIALLY NECESSARY FOR
US ALCOHOLICS. BECAUSE ALCOHOLISM HAD CREATED A VERY LONELY EXISTENCE
FOR US, EVEN THOUGH WE HAD BEEN SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE WHO LOVED US.
BUT WHEN OUR STUBBORNNESS HAD DRIVEN EVERYONE AWAY AND OUR
ISOLATION BECAME TOTAL, WE ENDED UP PLAYING THE ROLE OF CHARACTERS IN
CHEAP CANTEENS AND THEN WENT OUT ON OUR OWN TO DEPEND ON THE
CHARITY OF PASSERS-BY. WE WERE STILL TRYING TO FIND EMOTIONAL SECURITY BY
DOMINATING OTHERS OR DEPENDING ON THEM. AND EVEN THOSE OF US WHO,
DESPITE NOT HAVING FALLEN SO LOW, FOUND OURSELVES ALONE IN THE WORLD,
WERE STILL TRYING IN VAIN TO ACHIEVE SECURITY THROUGH AN UNHEALTHY
FORM OF DOMINATION OR DEPENDENCE.
21. WHAT IS OUR MAIN PROBLEM IN OUR MARRIAGE? (PARAGRAPH 41)

BECAUSE OF ALCOHOLISM, ABNORMAL SITUATIONS CAN OCCUR THAT CAN

DAMAGE THE COEXISTENCE AND UNION OF A MARRIAGE. IF THE HUSBAND IS AN
ALCOHOLIC, THE WIFE HAS TO BECOME THE HEAD AND OFTEN THE BREADWINNER.
AS CIRCUMSTANCES WORSEN, THE HUSBAND BECOMES A SICK AND IRRESPONSIBLE
CHILD TO BE CARED FOR AND RESCUED FROM A MYRIAD OF TROUBLES AND
HARDSHIPS. LITTLE BY LITTLE, AND USUALLY WITHOUT HER REALIZING IT, THE
WOMAN IS FORCED TO PLAY THE ROLE OF MOTHER TO A NAUGHTY CHILD.
22. WHY DOES THE ALCOHOLIC CRAVE AND ABHOR MATERNAL PROTECTION?
(PARAGRAPH 43)
BECAUSE OF ALCOHOLISM, ABNORMAL SITUATIONS CAN OCCUR THAT CAN
 DAMAGE THE COEXISTENCE AND UNION OF A MARRIAGE. IF THE HUSBAND IS AN
ALCOHOLIC, THE WIFE HAS TO BECOME THE HEAD AND OFTEN THE BREADWINNER.
AS CIRCUMSTANCES WORSEN, THE HUSBAND BECOMES A SICK AND IRRESPONSIBLE
CHILD TO BE CARED FOR AND RESCUED FROM A MYRIAD OF TROUBLES AND
HARDSHIPS. LITTLE BY LITTLE, AND USUALLY WITHOUT HER REALIZING IT, THE
WOMAN IS FORCED TO PLAY THE ROLE OF MOTHER TO A NAUGHTY CHILD. AND IF
YOU HAVE A STRONG MATERNAL INSTINCT TO BEGIN WITH, THE SITUATION IS
AGGRAVATED. IT IS CLEAR THAT, UNDER THESE CONDITIONS, A RELATIONSHIP OF
EQUALS CAN HARDLY EXIST. THE WOMAN, GENERALLY, CONTINUES TO DO THINGS
WITH HER BEST WILL, BUT THE ALCOHOLIC, MEANWHILE, OSCILLATES BETWEEN
LOVE AND HATRED OF HER MATERNAL ATTENTIONS.
23. WHAT ARE THE CONSIDERATIONS ABOUT THE SITUATION OF SINGLE ALCOHOLICS
ANONYMOUS PEOPLE WHO WISH TO GET MARRIED? (PARAGRAPH 46)
USUALLY WORK QUITE WELL. THE SUFFERINGS THEY HAD IN COMMON AS
DRINKERS AND THEIR COMMON INTEREST IN ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS AND THE
SPIRITUAL OFTEN ENRICH THESE UNIONS. IT IS ALSO TRUE THAT "CRUSHES" AND
CASES OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT CAN LEAD TO DIFFICULTIES.
24. WHAT IS SAID ABOUT ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS THAT THEY CANNOT HAVE A
CONJUGAL LIFE? (PARAGRAPH 47)
AT THE BEGINNING, MANY OF THESE PEOPLE, SEEING SO MUCH DOMESTIC
HAPPINESS AROUND THEM, FEEL VERY LONELY, SAD AND ISOLATED. IF THEY
CANNOT KNOW THIS KIND OF HAPPINESS,
25. HOW DO WE CONDUCT OURSELVES WITH REGARD TO MONEY DURING
ALCOHOLIC ACTIVITY? (PARAGRAPH 48)
IN OUR DRINKING DAYS, WE BEHAVED AS IF WE HAD INEXHAUSTIBLE FUNDS; BUT
BETWEEN BINGES, WE SOMETIMES WENT TO THE OTHER EXTREME AND BECAME
STINGY. WITHOUT REALIZING IT, WE WERE ACCUMULATING FUNDS FOR THE NEXT
BINGE. MONEY WAS THE SYMBOL OF PLEASURE AND PRESUMPTION. WHEN OUR
DRINKING GOT EVEN WORSE, MONEY WAS NOTHING BUT A PRESSING NEED THAT
COULD BUY US THE NEXT DRINK AND THE TEMPORARY RELIEF FROM THE OBLIVION
IT BROUGHT.
26. WHY IS IT THAT WHEN WE JOINED ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, IN MATTERS OF
MONEY, WE ONLY HAD FAITH IN OURSELVES? (PARAGRAPH 49)
WE FORGET THAT MOST ALCOHOLICS IN ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS HAVE A MUCH
HIGHER THAN AVERAGE EARNING POTENTIAL; WE FORGET THE IMMENSE
GOODWILL OF OUR ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS BRETHREN WHO WERE VERY
WILLING TO HELP US GET BETTER JOBS WHEN WE DESERVED THEM; WE FORGET
THE ECONOMIC INSECURITY, REAL OR POSSIBLE, OF EVERY HUMAN BEING IN THE
WORLD. AND, WORST OF ALL, WE FORGET ABOUT GOD. IN MONEY MATTERS, WE
ONLY HAD FAITH IN OURSELVES AND EVEN THIS WAS A VERY POOR FAITH.
27. WHEN WERE WE VICTIMS OF UNREASONABLE FEARS? (PARAGRAPH 50)

ALL THIS MEANT THAT WE WERE STILL QUITE UNBALANCED. AS LONG AS A JOB
SEEMED TO US A MERE WAY TO GET MONEY AND NOT AN OPPORTUNITY TO
SERVE; AS LONG AS THE ACQUISITION OF MONEY TO ENJOY ECONOMIC
 INDEPENDENCE SEEMED TO US MORE IMPORTANT THAN A JUST DEPENDENCE ON
GOD, WE WERE GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE VICTIMS OF IRRATIONAL FEARS.
28. WHEN DID MONEY CEASE TO BE OUR PATRON AND BECOME OUR SERVANT?
(PARAGRAPH 51)
WHAT MATTERED MOST TO US WAS NOT OUR MATERIAL CONDITION, BUT OUR
SPIRITUAL CONDITION. LITTLE BY LITTLE, MONEY WENT FROM BEING OUR MASTER
TO BEING OUR SERVANT.
29. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE DISCOVERY THAT IT WAS MORE
IMPORTANT TO BE FREE FROM FEAR THAN FROM MATERIAL NEEDS?
(PARAGRAPH 51)
BECAME A MEANS OF EXCHANGING LOVE AND SERVICE WITH THOSE AROUND US.
WHEN, WITH GOD'S HELP, WE SERENELY ACCEPTED OUR FATE, WE REALIZED THAT
WE COULD LIVE IN PEACE WITH OURSELVES AND TEACH OTHERS WHO WERE STILL
SUFFERING FROM THE SAME FEARS THAT THEY TOO COULD OVERCOME THEM. WE
CAME TO UNDERSTAND THAT FREEDOM FROM FEAR WAS MORE IMPORTANT THAN
FREEDOM FROM ECONOMIC WORRIES.
30. WHAT IS THE MESSAGE OF THE PHRASE "LATER HE DISCOVERS THAT TRUE
HAPPINESS DOES NOT LIE IN BEING THE FIRST IN THE NATION? (PARAGRAPH 53)
COMES TO KNOW THAT HE CAN BE CONTENT AS LONG AS HE PLAYS WELL THE
CARDS THAT LIFE HAS DEALT HIM. IS STILL AMBITIOUS, BUT NOT IN AN ABSURD
WAY, BECAUSE NOW HE CAN SEE AND ACCEPT THE REALITY OF LIFE. IS WILLING TO
MAINTAIN ITS FAIR SHARE.
31. What ARE THE COMMON PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF PROBLEM
DRINKERS? (PARAGRAPH 54)
THE DOCTORS WERE NOT TRYING TO DETERMINE HOW DIFFERENT WE WERE FROM
EACH OTHER; THEY WERE TRYING TO IDENTIFY WHAT PERSONALITY TRAITS, IF ANY,
THIS GROUP OF ALCOHOLICS HAD IN COMMON. CAME TO A CONCLUSION THAT
STUNNED A.A. MEMBERS. AT THE TIME. THESE DISTINGUISHED MEN HAD THE
AUDACITY TO SAY THAT MOST OF THE ALCOHOLICS THEY HAD EXAMINED WERE
CHILDISH, EMOTIONALLY HYPERSENSITIVE, AND HAD DELUSIONS OF GRANDEUR.
32. WHAT HAS BEEN THE RESULT OF ANALYZING OURSELVES AND THOSE AROUND
US? (PARAGRAPH 56)
HOWEVER, SINCE THEN, MOST OF US HAVE COME TO AGREE WITH THOSE
DOCTORS. WE HAVE STOPPED TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT OURSELVES AND THOSE
AROUND US. WE HAVE SEEN THAT IRRATIONAL FEARS AND CONCERNS WERE WHAT
DROVE US TO GIVE PRIMARY IMPORTANCE IN LIFE TO THE ISSUE OF GAINING FAME,
MONEY AND WHAT FOR US WAS LEADERSHIP. SO FALSE PRIDE BECAME THE OTHER
SIDE OF THE RUINOUS "FEAR" COIN. WE HAD TO BE NUMBER ONE TO HIDE OUR
DEEP SENSE OF INFERIORITY. WHEN WE HAD SOME SUCCESS OR OTHER, WE
BOASTED OF GREATER EXPLOITS TO COME; WHEN WE SUFFERED SOME DEFEAT,
WE FELT BITTER. IF WE HAD LITTLE WORLDLY SUCCESS, WE WOULD GET DEPRESSED
AND COWER. THEN PEOPLE SAID THAT WE WERE "INFERIOR" BEINGS. BUT NOW WE
SEE EACH OTHER AS SPLINTERS OF THE SAME STICK. DEEP DOWN, WE HAD BEEN
EXAGGERATEDLY FEARFUL.
 33. WHAT ARE THE TRUE AND LEGITIMATE SATISFACTIONS OF AN ADEQUATE WAY OF
LIVING? (PARAGRAPH 59)
TRUE AMBITION IS THE DEEP DESIRE TO LIVE USEFULLY AND TO WALK HUMBLY
UNDER THE GRACE OF GOD.
34. HOW CAN WE BE RIGHT WITH OURSELVES, WITH THE WORLD WE LIVE IN AND
WITH THE ONE WHO PRESIDES OVER US ALL? (PARAGRAPH 60)
BECAUSE ONLY BY ACCEPTING AND SOLVING OUR PROBLEMS CAN WE BEGIN TO BE
AT PEACE WITH OURSELVES, WITH THE WORLD AROUND US AND WITH THE ONE
WHO PRESIDES OVER US ALL. UNDERSTANDING IS THE KEY TO RIGHT ATTITUDES
AND PRINCIPLES, AND RIGHT ACTIONS ARE THE KEY TO GOOD LIVING; THEREFORE,
THE JOY OF GOOD LIVING IS THE THEME OF A.A.'S TWELFTH STEP.
35. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO "PERCEIVE MORE DEEPLY THE TRUE MEANING OF THIS
PRAYER OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS? (PARAGRAPH 61)
MAY EACH OF US, WITH EACH PASSING DAY OF OUR LIVES, COME TO FEEL MORE
DEEPLY THE ESSENTIAL MEANING OF A.A.'S SIMPLE PRAYER.

THE SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLE: Service

HOW TO FOLLOW THIS TWELFTH STEP

Remember that the 12 steps will help you, continue with the task of helping others and following
God's plans.

TWELFTH STEP PRAYER

Dear God, my spiritual awakening continues to unfold. The help I have received I will share and
give to others, both inside and outside the community. For this opportunity, I am grateful. I
humbly pray that I may continue to walk day by day on the path of spiritual progress. I pray for
the inner strength and wisdom to practice the principles of this way of living in everything I say
and do. I need You, my friends and the Program every hour of every day. This is a better way to
live.

SOURCES:

http://www.ehowenespanol.com/practicar-12-pasos-alcoholicos-anonimos-como_383490/

http://12pasosrecuperacion.blogspot.mx/

http://alcoholicospuertovallarta.mex.tl/401565_TERCER-PASO.html

http://www.oa-asturias.es/principiosoa.htm

http://www.ceahow.org/es/contento/oraciones-usados-en-el-programa-de-cea-how

http://es.slideshare.net/pili63net/oraciones-de-los-12-pasos

http://www.corazones.org/oraciones/oraciones_espiritu_santo/a_oracion_espiritu_santo.htm
http://www.plenitudaa.org.mx

2. 1stI am the only step that you can take to perfection.

3.2º I am the meeting point for agnostics, atheists and former believers.

4.3º. I am the step on which the effectiveness of the Alcoholics Anonymous

program depends.

5.4º I am the lighthouse that illuminates the whole course of your life.

6. 5º I free you from guilt, but if you neglect me, you may pay dearly for it,
even if you are a veteran in Alcoholics Anonymous.

7. 6ºI am the step that separates the men from the boys.

8.7º I am the step that deals specifically with humility.

9.8th I am the list of offended people, who expect you to be willing to repair
the damage caused.

10.9th I lead you to repair the damages and learn to live in peace and
fraternity with all the others.

11. 10thI am the step where you begin to put into practice what you have
learned in Alcoholics Anonymous.

12. 11thI am the only step that maintains your spiritual growth.

13.12th I give you the joy of life, so that you may carry this message and
practice these principles in all your affairs.