12-Steps to Alcoholic Recovery

This post is the first of three that will share, in brief, on the 12-steps to alcoholic Recovery. Beginning with steps 1 and concluding with step 4 as written in the Alcoholics Anonymous textbook. To begin, up next is the first step of twelve to alcoholic recovery.

The first step surrender is one that goes against everything that our egos tell us to be true. That being the case, most of us can relate to the following hesitation or flat-out rejection of powerlessness:

“Who cares to admit complete defeat? Practically no one, of course. Every natural instinct cries out against the idea of personal powerlessness. It is truly awful to admit that, glass in hand, we have warped our minds into such an obsession for destructive drinking that only an act of Providence can remove it from us.”

-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions

And also the following example from Emotional Recovery:

“At first glance, Step One seems to be a drastic statement. What ‘normal’ neurotic like us wants to admit that he is powerless or that her life is unmanageable? We all fight to keep our heads above water, to control, to keep from being controlled by others. We compete, we push, we gesticulate, we clamor for attention to show others how big we are. We have to be first, smartest, fastest, most handsome or beautiful, wealthiest. We have to have the best job. We brag, we show off, and we are proud. We’re proud of our home, our town, our state, our country, our children, our acquaintances…”

-The Twelve Steps for Everyone

As illustrated above, the powerless surrender can be tough to concede to. Alcoholism is a cunning, baffling, and powerful illness. Moreover, the stigma that comes with alcoholic symptoms often do not make it easier to surrender to asking for help.

Keep reading for more on surrendering our human limitations in order to give our divine Power a chance to lead.

Although it is not necessary, many with a drinking problem have to hit a physical, mental, and emotional bottom before we are willing to admit complete defeat. Defeat or powerless over solving both our alcoholic problems and those of an emotional and mental nature. The truth is, that what you are surrendering to during the first step experience are your human limitations, or powerlessness. Once all your efforts, attempts, solutions, and will power have proven ineffective to solving your problems with alcohol – then it is time to tap into a Power greater than you. This Divine power inside of you is just waiting, and willing to take over and solve your problems.

Experiencing the second of 12-steps to alcoholic Recovery is a lifesaving experience. For many, coming to believe in a Power greater than oneself (identified as God in most of The Steps) happens from both shared and personal experiences.

“When we saw others solve their problems by simple reliance upon the Spirit of this universe, we had to stop doubting the power of God.””

-Alcoholics Anonymous p. 65

Attending fellowship meetings with individuals both seeking recovery and those living in the alcoholic solution is often how newcomers begin experiencing Step 2. Additionally, and most importantly, the Alcoholics Anonymous textbook is where the precise instructions to experience Alcoholic Recovery are listed.

“Our description of the alcoholic, the chapter to the agnostic, and our personal adventures before and after make clear three pertinent ideas:

(a) That we were alcoholic and could not manage our own lives.

(b) That probably no human power could have relieved our alcoholism.

(c) That God could and would if sought.

Being convinced, we were at step three…”

-Alcoholics Anonymous p. 72

The experiences that occur in order for one to truly “come to believe” are miraculous. Otherwise, we are not yet “convinced” and still experiencing the Second Step.

“Whether agnostic, athiest, or former believer, we can stand together on this Step.  True humility and an open mind can lead us to faith, and every A.A meeting is an assurance that God will restore us to sanity if we rightly relate ourselves to [God].”

Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 33

Click the Blog link below to read more about the Spiritual and nonreligious program of Recovery.

Do I have a drinking problem? Or Alcoholism page.

The Third Step surrender is a decision that can only be made after experiencing the restoration of sanity on the Second Step.

“As we felt new power flow in, as we enjoyed  peace of mind,  as we discovered we could face life successfully, as we became conscious of [God’s] presence, we began to lose our fear of today, tomorrow, or  the hereafter. We were reborn.

We were now at step three.”

-Alcoholics Anonymous p. 75

Hence, The Steps are in order for a reason so allow yourself the peace of surrendering to God’s timing rather than your own. 

Attending fellowship meetings with individuals both seeking recovery and those living in the alcoholic solution is often how newcomers begin experiencing Step 2. Additionally, and most importantly, the Alcoholics Anonymous textbook is where the precise instructions to experience Alcoholic Recovery are listed.

“Our description of the alcoholic, the chapter to the agnostic, and our personal adventures before and after make clear three pertinent ideas:

(a) That we were alcoholic and could not manage our own lives.

(b) That probably no human power could have relieved our alcoholism.

(c) That God could and would if sought.

Being convinced, we were at step three…”

-Alcoholics Anonymous p. 72

The experience one can expect to have on the third step is illustrated below in a third step promise:

“The wording of it was, of course, quite optional so long as we expressed the idea, voicing it without reservation. This was only a beginning, though if honestly and humbly made, an effect, sometimes a very great one, was felt at once.”

-Alcoholics Anonymous p. 76

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Step four involves a Spiritual house-cleaning that will be a first experience for most of us. Consider your current age and imagine living in the same home for as many years as you have been alive. The same as your Spirit has lived in your physical body throughout your years of living.

Can you imagine if you never cleaned your home? Without being rid of that which no longer serves our Spirit, we have no room for that which does.

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

-Alcoholics Anonymous p. 76

Experiencing the 12-steps to alcoholic recovery often brings to light the resentments plaguing our suffering Spirit. One of many common symptoms of the Spiritual Malady, for which alcohol and addiction are symptoms of.

“Resentment is the ‘number one’ offender. It destroys more alcoholics than anything else. From it stem all forms of spiritual disease, for we have been not only mentally and physically.”

-Alcoholics Anonymous p. 77