12 Step AA Worksheets with Guided Questions

Understanding the 12 Steps of AA

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a 12-step program designed to help individuals overcome alcohol addiction. The program provides a supportive environment where members can share their experiences and work through the recovery process together. The 12 steps of AA are the foundation of the program and serve as a guide for individuals to achieve sobriety and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Why Use 12 Step AA Worksheets?

Working through the 12 steps of AA can be a challenging but rewarding experience. Using worksheets with guided questions can help individuals process their thoughts and feelings, identify patterns and behaviors, and develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their addiction. These worksheets can be a valuable tool for:

• Identifying triggers and patterns
• Developing a personal recovery plan
• Understanding the root causes of addiction
• Building self-awareness and self-acceptance
• Enhancing spiritual growth and development

Step 1: We Admitted We Were Powerless

Admitting powerlessness is the first step towards recovery. This step requires individuals to acknowledge that they are unable to control their addiction and that it has become unmanageable.

• What are some examples of how your addiction has affected your life?
• How have you tried to control your addiction in the past?
• What are some feelings you experience when you think about being powerless?

📝 Note: Be honest with yourself as you work through this step. Acknowledging powerlessness is a difficult but necessary part of the recovery process.

Step 2: Came to Believe

This step requires individuals to believe that a power greater than themselves can restore them to sanity.

• What are some examples of how you have tried to find meaning or purpose in your life?

• How have you felt when you have experienced a sense of connection to something greater than yourself?

• What are some feelings you experience when you think about the possibility of restoration?

• Examples of Seeking Meaning or Purpose:

  • Seeking spiritual guidance
  • Exploring hobbies or creative pursuits
  • Building relationships with others

• Feelings Associated with Connection to a Higher Power:

  • Peace, calm, hope
  • A sense of belonging or connection
  • Feeling guided or supported

Step 3: Made a Decision

This step requires individuals to make a decision to turn their will and lives over to the care of a higher power.

• What are some examples of how you have tried to control your life or circumstances in the past?
• How have you felt when you have tried to let go of control?
• What are some feelings you experience when you think about turning your will and life over to a higher power?

🤝 Note: Making a decision to turn your will and life over to a higher power can be a difficult but liberating experience. Be patient and kind to yourself as you work through this step.

Step 4: Made a Searching and Fearless Moral Inventory

This step requires individuals to take a thorough and honest look at their past behaviors and attitudes.

• What are some examples of past behaviors or attitudes that have contributed to your addiction?

• How have these behaviors or attitudes affected your relationships with others?

• What are some feelings you experience when you think about confronting your past?

• Examples of Past Behaviors or Attitudes:

  • Dishonesty, manipulation, or exploitation
  • Selfishness, pride, or entitlement
  • Anger, resentment, or bitterness

• Feelings Associated with Confronting the Past:

  • Shame, guilt, regret
  • Fear, anxiety, uncertainty
  • Relief, hope, renewed sense of purpose

Step 5: Admitted to God, to Ourselves, and to Another Human Being

This step requires individuals to admit their wrongdoings and take responsibility for their actions.

• What are some examples of how you have hurt or harmed others in the past?
• How have you felt when you have admitted your wrongdoings to others?
• What are some feelings you experience when you think about taking responsibility for your actions?

💪 Note: Admitting your wrongdoings and taking responsibility for your actions can be a challenging but empowering experience. Be brave and honest with yourself and others.

Step 6: Were Entirely Ready

This step requires individuals to become entirely ready to have their defects of character removed.

• What are some examples of defects of character that you would like to have removed?

• How have these defects affected your relationships with others?

• What are some feelings you experience when you think about becoming entirely ready to change?

• Examples of Defects of Character:

  • Dishonesty, manipulation, or exploitation
  • Selfishness, pride, or entitlement
  • Anger, resentment, or bitterness

• Feelings Associated with Becoming Entirely Ready:

  • Hope, excitement, anticipation
  • Fear, uncertainty, resistance
  • Sense of relief, renewed sense of purpose

Step 7: Humbly Asked Him to Remove Our Shortcomings

This step requires individuals to humbly ask a higher power to remove their shortcomings.

• What are some examples of how you have tried to overcome your shortcomings in the past?
• How have you felt when you have asked for help or guidance from a higher power?
• What are some feelings you experience when you think about humbly asking for removal of your shortcomings?

🙏 Note: Humbly asking for removal of your shortcomings can be a humbling and liberating experience. Be open and receptive to the guidance and support of a higher power.

Step 8: Made a List of All Persons We Had Harmed

This step requires individuals to make a list of all persons they have harmed and become willing to make amends.

• What are some examples of how you have harmed others in the past?

• How have you felt when you have thought about making amends to others?

• What are some feelings you experience when you think about becoming willing to make amends?

• Examples of Harm Caused to Others:

  • Physical, emotional, or financial harm
  • Betrayal, abandonment, or neglect
  • Manipulation, exploitation, or dishonesty

• Feelings Associated with Making Amends:

  • Fear, anxiety, uncertainty
  • Guilt, shame, regret
  • Hope, relief, renewed sense of purpose

Step 9: Made Direct Amends

This step requires individuals to make direct amends to those they have harmed.

• What are some examples of how you have made amends to others in the past?
• How have you felt when you have made amends to others?
• What are some feelings you experience when you think about making direct amends?

🤝 Note: Making direct amends can be a challenging but liberating experience. Be honest and sincere in your approach, and be open to the response of others.

Step 10: Continued to Take Personal Inventory

This step requires individuals to continue to take personal inventory and admit their wrongdoings.

• What are some examples of how you have taken personal inventory in the past?

• How have you felt when you have admitted your wrongdoings to yourself and others?

• What are some feelings you experience when you think about continuing to take personal inventory?

• Examples of Taking Personal Inventory:

  • Reflecting on past behaviors and attitudes
  • Identifying patterns and triggers
  • Developing a growth mindset

• Feelings Associated with Taking Personal Inventory:

  • Hope, excitement, anticipation
  • Fear, uncertainty, resistance
  • Sense of relief, renewed sense of purpose

Step 11: Sought Through Prayer and Meditation

This step requires individuals to seek guidance and support through prayer and meditation.

• What are some examples of how you have used prayer and meditation in the past?
• How have you felt when you have sought guidance and support through prayer and meditation?
• What are some feelings you experience when you think about seeking guidance and support through prayer and meditation?

🙏 Note: Seeking guidance and support through prayer and meditation can be a powerful and liberating experience. Be open and receptive to the guidance and support of a higher power.

Step 12: Having Had a Spiritual Awakening

This step requires individuals to have a spiritual awakening and carry the message of recovery to others.

• What are some examples of how you have experienced a spiritual awakening in the past?

• How have you felt when you have shared your experience with others?

• What are some feelings you experience when you think about carrying the message of recovery to others?

• Examples of Spiritual Awakening:

  • A sense of connection to a higher power
  • A sense of purpose and meaning
  • A sense of peace and calm

• Feelings Associated with Spiritual Awakening:

  • Hope, excitement, anticipation
  • Fear, uncertainty, resistance
  • Sense of relief, renewed sense of purpose

In conclusion, working through the 12 steps of AA can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By using worksheets with guided questions, individuals can process their thoughts and feelings, identify patterns and behaviors, and develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their addiction. Remember to be patient and kind to yourself as you work through each step, and don’t hesitate to seek guidance and support from others when needed.

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