Alcoholics Anonymous Step 5

^59:12 5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

The instructions, for Step 5 are found in the chapter Into Action, beginning on page 72, sentence 5. We will examine the instructions on a paragraph by paragraph, and sometimes sentence by sentence basis.  We begin with the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book’s discussion of Step 5.

^72:5This requires action on our part, which, when completed, will mean that we have admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being, the exact nature of our defects.

The first instruction for taking Step 5 is that it requires action – of us.

To continue our discussion of the instructions for Step 5 click the Read More link.

Alcoholics Anonymous Step 5.

^59:12 5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

The instructions, for Step 5 are found in the chapter Into Action, page 72, sentence 1 through page 75, sentence 23. We will examine the instructions on a paragraph by paragraph, and sometimes sentence by sentence basis.  We begin with the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book’s discussion of Step 5.

^72:1Having made our personal inventory, what shall we do about it? ²We have been trying to get a new attitude, a new relationship with our Creator, and to discover the obstacles in our path. ³We have admitted certain defects; we have ascertained in a rough way what the trouble is; we have put our finger on the weak items in our personal inventory. ⁴Now these are about to be cast out. ⁵This requires action on our part, which, when completed, will mean that we have admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being, the exact nature of our defects. ⁶This brings us to the fifth step in the Program of Recovery mentioned in the pre­ceding chapter.

Our discussion of Step 5 continues. Please click the Read More link.

 Who:
God, ourselves and another person

What:
Admit to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

How:
Prayer, meditation, contemplation and face-to-face conversation.
“The rule is we must be hard on ourselves but always considerate of others.” 74:11
“ a long talk.” 75:3
“We pocket our pride and go to it.” 75:7
“We thank God from the bottom of our heart that we know him better.” 75:17
We review our work, so far, on the steps. 75:18-23

Where:
With God, ourselves and another person.
With a person who can hold a confidence, that fully understands and approves of our purpose and who will not try to change our plan, and realizes we are on a life-and-death errand.. 74:15, 75:5

When:
”…at the first opportunity.” :74:13.
“… we waste no time.” 75:2

Why:
”The best reason first: If we skip this vital step we may not overcome drinking.” 72:13
To learn “...humility, fearlessness and honesty, in the sense we find in necessary.” 73:5
“We must be entirely honest with somebody if we expect to live long or happily in the word. 73:24
“To begin to have a spiritual experience.” 75:13

We have several more articles exploring the instructions for Step 5. found in the Big Book. Follow the links to these articles under the 12 Steps tab above, in the Newsflash to the right or Click Here to read them.
Click Here to share on Step 5.