Table of contents
As you approach Step 10 in the 12-Step Program, a part of you may feel done with all the heavy lifting and that you can finally stop working so hard to be sober. However, if there’s one thing you learn from sobriety, it’s that there’s always more work to be done.
Step 10 is a maintenance step. It reminds you that your recovery requires ongoing effort and daily practices to help you stay sober for the long-term. If you’re confused about what Step 10 means, you’re not alone! In this article, we’ll take a closer look at it to help you understand its overall purpose in a life of recovery. We’ll also provide helpful tips and printable worksheets to help you get started as you work Step 10 with a counselor or sponsor.
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 11: Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
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 10 of the 12-Step Program important?
Step 10 is about admitting when you are wrong. It is important to take quick action to fix the mistake. This helps stop the problem before it gets bigger. Taking a personal inventory means you look for daily emotional issues. These issues can make you want to use drugs or alcohol. It is important to deal with them before they become big problems.
One of the primary benefits of Step 10 is that it helps you keep a clean spiritual house. When you quickly admit your mistakes and take responsibility, you stop them from turning into anger and resentment. This can help prevent a relapse. Not only is this beneficial to you, but it is also likely to improve your relationships with others.
To work Step 10, you’ll need to change the way you deal with negative emotions. By letting go of them quickly, you will learn to stop blaming others for your negative feelings. You will take responsibility and admit that you might be wrong too.
Step 10 of the 12-Step Program helps us handle life and relationships. This approach supports recovery and lasting sobriety. Working this step will help you develop a plan of daily action to cope with life, grow spiritually, and protect your sobriety.
How should I work Step 10 of the 12-Step Program?
It’s never fun having to admit that you’re wrong, so understandably, working Step 10 can be difficult. However, here are a few tips that may help you get started:
- Set aside time each day to take inventory. By dedicating time each day to taking inventory, you are prioritizing your mental health and your recovery. You can use this time to meditate, journal, or just sit in a quiet place to reflect on your day. Consider the good and the bad. Ask yourself if you need to fix anything. Think about what you can do to make tomorrow better.
- Don’t allow your ego to get in the way of progress. The act of admitting when you’re wrong takes humility and courage. It’s definitely not easy! If you practice putting your ego aside, it will become easier to take responsibility for your actions. You will admit when you’re wrong and do what you need to make things right.
- Work with a counselor or sponsor. It’s helpful to get an outsider’s view. This is important because taking a daily inventory can be hard at first. A sponsor or counselor can help you look at your actions clearly. They can also support you as you learn to handle life in a new way.
Printable AA Step Ten worksheets
Working with a sponsor or counselor and following the tips listed above may help you work Step 10 of the 12-Step Program. However, you can also use the following printable Step 10 worksheets as an additional resource.
Who can help me work the 10th Step of the 12-Step Program?
At Briarwood Detox Center, we provide safe and effective drug detox in Austin. We work with addicted individuals to create individualized treatment plans that help them achieve the foundation for a stable and sober life. Adopting the 12-Step Program and its principles is an essential part of this process for many of our clients.Although it’s not required, working the 12 Steps can be a beneficial tool for recovery.
The caring and experienced professionals at Briarwood are well-equipped to help you achieve sobriety and begin creating a sober lifestyle for yourself. Although we are not a rehab program, we provide medical and clinical care during alcohol and drug detox in Austin, Texas. In addition, we offer 12-Step support with H&I meetings, where you’ll have the opportunity to hear from other people in recovery and connect with potential sponsors who can provide help and support as you begin working through the 12 Steps.
Once you complete your detox program, we can also help you find and enroll in an alcohol and drug rehab program in Austin, Texas, so you can continue receiving proper support and treatment in the next stage of your recovery. Depending on your treatment history and individual needs and circumstances, you may choose to attend one of the following types of drug rehab in Austin:
When you’re ready to make a change, the compassionate team at Briarwood Detox Center is here to help. We work with many different insurance providers to ensure that detox is as affordable as possible. Please call (512) 262-4426 or contact us online to get started today.
Substance Abuse Trends in Houston, Texas
While these Houston statistics are concerning, there is hope for recovery through proper treatment and continuing care. After completing detox, many people in Houston choose an intensive outpatient program (IOP) to maintain momentum in sobriety. Nova Recovery Center’s intensive outpatient program in Houston provides structured therapy sessions, relapse prevention education, and peer support several times a week—all while you live at home. Participating in an IOP lets you rebuild your daily routine and practice sober living skills with professional guidance, without the need for a full residential stay. It’s a flexible option that keeps you connected with Houston’s recovery community and helps sustain long-term recovery beyond detox.
Frequently Asked Questions About Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)
Q: What is an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)?
A: An IOP is a structured treatment program that offers therapy sessions (individual and group) multiple times per week—usually 9–19 hours total—while allowing clients to live at home and continue their daily responsibilities. If you’re in Austin, check out Nova Recovery Center’s IOP Austin rehab for local support.
Q: How long does an IOP last?
A: IOPs typically run between 2–12 weeks, with most programs lasting around 8 weeks. For example, after detox in Houston, Nova Recovery Center’s intensive outpatient program in Houston offers flexible schedules to fit your needs.
Q: Who is a good candidate for IOP?
A: Ideal candidates have completed detox or inpatient care, have a stable home environment, and need structured support while living at home. For San Antonio residents, Nova offers a comprehensive San Antonio drug rehab IOP tailored for this stage of recovery.
Q: What types of therapy are included in an IOP?
A: Most IOPs combine individual counseling, group therapy, life-skills workshops, and sometimes family therapy or specialized tracks such as trauma, relapse prevention, or dual-diagnosis care.
Q: Is IOP covered by insurance?
A: Yes—IOP is often covered by medical or mental health insurance when referred by a clinician following a higher level of care. Nova Recovery Center accepts many major insurance plans at each location (Austin, Houston, San Antonio), and their team can verify coverage for you.
Q: Can I work or go to school during IOP?
A: Absolutely. One of the key benefits of IOP is maintaining daily routines, including work and family, while still receiving significant therapeutic support.