What does step 10 mean?
James Olson
Updated on February 24, 2026
Similarly, you may ask, what is the tenth step?
These daily practices are the subject of Step 10 of the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous: "Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it." Here the word "inventory" means taking stock of our emotional disturbances, especially those that can return us to drinking or other drug use.
Additionally, what does working the steps mean? As you begin to hear people in meetings talk about “working” the steps, you may wonder, “What does that even mean?” Simply put, it is working with a fellow addict or alcoholic to better yourself. The way that the steps are “worked” varies from sponsor to sponsor.
In this regard, what does step 11 mean?
In a nutshell, step 11 says to discover the plan God, as you understand him, has for your life and find the power to carry it out. AA states it is non-religious but rather spiritual in design, and as its cornerstone, members should find a higher purpose or higher power.
What does Step 9 in AA mean?
Made direct amends
Related Question Answers
How does step 10 work?
Benefits of Step 10As step 10 suggests, you apologize immediately and tell the person that you were wrong and you should never have said it. Then, you can walk away knowing you have done your part to make it right. If the other person wants to hold on to it and remain angry about it, it is their problem, not yours.
What is a 12 step call?
A 12th step call is an important part of the recovery process for many. Generally, an individual or group sits or speaks with somebody suffering from alcoholism in order to help them find recovery. A member of the twelve-step community volunteers to either speak to the struggling individual or meet with them in person.What does step 2 in AA mean?
One of the most misunderstood steps within the 12-Steps is Step 2, which states, “Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity”. Once you've decided that you're powerless over substances and your life has become unmanageable, being restored to sanity is the next item on the to-do list.What is step 5 of the 12 steps?
Step 5: Admit to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. What an order! Admitting wrongs to God and to ourselves is one thing. To actually tell someone else the exact nature of our wrongs can be a frightening task indeed.What are the promises of Alcoholics Anonymous?
The Promises of AA's Big Book- Promise 1: We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness.
- Promise 2: We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it.
- Promise 3: We will comprehend the word serenity.
- Promise 4: We will know peace.
What is a resentment in AA?
AA recognizes that resentment is toxic to our inner lives. "Resentment" is close to "re-sentiment"—"sentiment" meaning "feeling" and "re" meaning "again." So, resentment is literally "feeling again." This gets to the heart of resentment: recycling old negative feelings or revisiting old wrongs done to us by others.What does making amends mean in AA?
Think of amends as actions taken that demonstrate your new way of life in recovery, whereas apologies are basically words. When you make amends, you acknowledge and align your values to your actions by admitting wrongdoing and then living by your principles.How does AA sponsorship work?
What does a sponsor do and not do? A sponsor does everything possible, within the limits of personal experience and knowledge, to help the newcomer get sober and stay sober through the A.A. program. Shows by present example and drinking history what A.A. has meant in the sponsor's life.What is the 11th step prayer in AA?
“Lord, make me a channel of thy peace—that where there is hatred, I may bring love—that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness—that where there is discord, I may bring harmony—that where there is error, I may bring truth—that where there is doubt, I may bring faith—that where there is despair, IWhat is the AA Preamble?
A.A. PREAMBLE©Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.
How long does it take to get through the 12 steps?
Most sponsors encourage the AA newcomer to attend 90 meetings in 90 days. That may seem like a lot and it may seem like a long time to commit to going to meetings. However, most 12-step programs, including those for people addicted to drugs, encourage new members to commit to those 90 meetings in 90 days.What are the spiritual principles of the 12 steps?
The main principles underneath each of the 12 steps:- Acceptance.
- Hope.
- Faith.
- Courage.
- Honesty.
- Willingness.
- Humility.
- Responsibility.
What is the first step in the 12 steps?
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.Do I really need a sponsor in AA?
Many people in addiction recovery, particularly recovery from alcohol addiction, commit to attending AA meetings once they are back in the community after completing rehab. Anyone who has a desire to quit drinking is welcome in AA, and you do not have to have a sponsor.Do you have to believe in God to go to AA?
All rights reserved. A.A. is not a religious organization. Alcoholics Anonymous has only one requirement for member- ship, and that is the desire to stop drinking. There is room in A.A. for people of all shades of belief and non-belief.What are each of the 12 steps?
The Twelve Steps- Step 1: Honesty. After many years of denial, recovery can begin when with one simple admission of being powerless over alcohol—for alcoholics and their friends and family.
- Step 2: Faith.
- Step 3: Surrender.
- Step 4: Soul Searching.
- Step 5: Integrity.
- Step 6: Acceptance.
- Step 7: Humility.
- Step 8: Willingness.