Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions Study

  The “Twelve and Twelve Traditions” contain 12 essays by Bill W. that expand upon each of the Steps — the A.A. program of recovery — with helpful examples and personal insights, and another 12 that explain how the Traditions protect the unity of Alcoholics Anonymous. View Publication

We admitted we were powerless over alcohol – that our lives had become unmanageable Who cares to admit complete defeat? Admission of powerlessness is the first step in liberation. Relation of humility to sobriety. Mental obsession plus physical allergy. Why must every A.A. hit bottom? View Publication

  Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. What can we believe in? A.A. does not demand belief; Twelve Sep are only suggestions.Importance of an open mind. Variety of ways to faith. Substitution of A.A. as a Higher Power. Plight of the disillusioned. Roadblocks of indifference and prejudice. Lost faith found in A.A. Problems of intellectuality and self-sufficiency. Negative and positive thinking. Self-righteousness. Defiance is an outstanding characteristic of alcoholics. Step Two is a rallying point to sanity. Right relation to God. View Publication

  Made a decision to our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understand Him. Step Three is like the opening of a door. How shall we let God into our lives?  Willingness is the key.  Dependence as a means of independence, Dangers of self-sufficiency. Turning our will over to Higher Power. Misuse of willpower. Sustained and personal exertion necessary to conform to God’s will. View Publication

Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. How instincts can exceed their proper function. Step Four is an effort  to discover our liabilities. Basic problem of extremes in instinctive drives. Misguided moral inventory can result in guilt, grandiosity, or blaming others. Assets can be noted with liabilities. Self-justification is dangerous. Willingness to take inventory brings light and new confidence. Step Four is beginning of a lifetime practice. Common symptoms of emotional insecurity are worry, anger, self-pity, and depression. Inventory reviews relationships. Importance of thoroughness. View Publication

 Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Twelve Steps deflate ego. Step Five is difficult but necessary to sobriety and peace of mind. Confession is ancient discipline. Without fearless admission of defects, few could stay sober. What do we receive from Step Five? Beginning of true kinship with man and God. Lose sense of isolation, receive forgiveness and give it; learn humility; gain honesty and realism about ourselves. Necessity of complete honesty. Danger of rationalization. How to choose the person in whom to confide. Results are tranquility and consciousness of God. Oneness with Gid and man prepares us for the following Steps. View Publication