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The last step of the 12-Step Program asks you to take the message to others in recovery and live out the principles of the program in your everyday life. This sounds like a weighty task, but let’s delve into the final step to take a look at why it’s important and how you can start doing it today.
Related post: Do You Have to Hit Rock Bottom to Get Sober?
What are the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)?
Step 1: We admitted we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable.
Step 2: Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Step 3: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
Step 4: Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Step 5: Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
Step 6: Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
Step 7: Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
Step 8: Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
Step 10: Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
Step 12: Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
Why Is Step 12 Of the 12-Step Program Important?
The 12-Step Program wouldn’t work if its participants didn’t do Step 12, which is to carry the message to others in recovery and put the principles into practice. In essence, the only way you can truly keep your sobriety is to give it away and help others do the same.
It should be no surprise that people who have worked all 12 steps and maintained their sobriety have plenty of life experience and wisdom to share with others who are just starting their own sobriety journeys. In meetings, sharing personal experience, tips, and advice is one of the main ways attendees receive support and accountability as they pursue lifelong recovery.
For you, working Step 12 might look like:
- Making and preparing the coffee before meetings begin
- Speaking up in meetings regularly
- Setting up or tearing down the chairs before and after meetings
- Giving a newcomer a ride to a meeting if they need it
Being of service to others while you’re working Step 12 can look a variety of ways, but the most important thing is consistency. As you serve others, you’ll find that it’s not only beneficial to your peers in recovery, but also to yourself! Carrying the message to others in recovery can give you a sense of purpose and hold you accountable to your own actions. It can also be a catalyst as you work to create lasting relationships. And of course, it will serve as a reminder of how far you’ve come in your own sobriety.
Without committed 12-Step fellowship members, the program itself would not exist. Consistently working Step 12 is just as important as all the other steps and is a process that continually transforms your life.
How Should I Work Step 12 of the 12-Step Program?
If you want some practical tips on how to work Step 12 of the 12-Step Program, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Never stop striving for improvement. Some people fall prey to the misconception that once you’ve reached Step 12, the work is done. However, there’s still plenty of work to be done! Maintaining your recovery is a lifelong process that never stops. There will always be work to do, improvements to make, and ways to grow. In a way, the promise of continual growth is motivating and rewarding as your life gradually transforms via the process.
- Serve in ways that best suit you. If you don’t feel comfortable sharing your recovery story yet, that’s fine! Or if you still find it difficult to speak up in meetings, that’s okay too. Although it’s recommended to speak up in meetings, developing confidence can take time and that’s not the only way you can spread the message to others. Simply being a helpful presence to others in recovery or giving your time and energy is a great way to start working the final step of the program.
Printable AA Step Twelve Worksheets
As we always say, it’s best to work each step with the help of your sponsor, counselor, or addiction treatment specialist. However, you can also use printable worksheets to help you process your thoughts and work through the last step of the program. You can use the following worksheet for reference:
Who Can Help Me Work the 12th Step of the 12-Step Program?
After you complete drug detox Austin, a 12-Step-based drug and alcohol rehab Austin program can help you work through each step gradually as you adjust to your new sober lifestyle. Although detox is often the first step to recovery, its primary focus is helping you break your physical dependence on drugs or alcohol and address your emotional response to withdrawal.
During detox Austin Texas, the staff at Briarwood Detox Center will treat your physical and psychological symptoms of withdrawal and support you as you begin your recovery journey. Part of this may include attending H&I meetings, where you’ll hear from other people in recovery and connect with potential local sponsors.
Once you’ve completed detox, our staff can also help you find a rehab center that will provide adequate treatment services for your individual needs, and where you will participate in cognitive behavioral therapy and other evidence-based treatment modalities for addiction.
If you’re ready to start your sober journey, we’re here to help. Please contact us online or call (512) 262-4426 today to speak with an admissions representative.
