AA Step 5: Admit the Exact Nature of Our Wrongs

Support groups can be an essential component in recovery for many.¹ Looking within, sharing your experiences, and fostering relationships with others on a similar path can help you achieve and maintain your recovery.¹

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a well-known peer support group for people struggling with alcohol addiction.² The 12 Steps of AA encourage you to relinquish control of your addiction and accept it for the disease it is, all while giving yourself over to a higher power of your choosing and involving yourself in 12-Step practice.¹

Keep reading to learn more about Step 5 of AA and how to either start or supplement your recovery journey through AA programs near you.

What is Step 5 of AA?

Step 5 of AA is dedicated to admitting to God (as you understand Him), yourself, and another human being the exact nature of your wrongs.³ Having the ability to vocalize your wrong doings and take accountability for them does not just happen, but instead, often occurs as a result of previous internal work. For someone working the Steps, that internal work can be done through the first four steps.

Steps 1-4 empower you to:³

• Admit that you are powerless over alcohol.
• Believe a power greater than yourself can aid in your recovery.
• Put faith into the higher power of your choosing.
• Encourage you to take a fearless moral inventory of yourself.

Completing these steps allow you to begin tackling Step 5, which is rarely viewed as one that is simple or easy.³ Step 5 is not a step that holds little importance, but instead, quite the opposite.³ This step is vital in achieving both long-term sobriety and overall peace of mind.³

What is the Purpose of Step 5 of AA?

When you’re battling addiction, it can be easy to blame everything that goes wrong in your life on others instead of recognizing your contributions. Step 5 of AA works to deflate the ego, allowing you take a deeper look inwards so you can let go of excessive pride and begin taking accountability for your actions.⁴

By holding yourself accountable and confessing these unfavorable actions to yourself, the higher power of your choosing, and another person, you can begin releasing yourself from the burden these actions have placed on you.⁴ Letting go of guilt and shame associated with these actions allows you to start to break free from the insidious cycle of misusing drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism.⁴

Accepting and admitting your wrongdoings creates a foundation for growth, connection, and change.⁴  Step 5 of AA prepares you to move forward from the afflictions you faced during active addiction so you can reach your recovery goals.⁴

How to Complete Step 5 of AA

Practicing the 12 Steps dutifully and in order is essential to obtain the most benefits form the program.⁵ And while step work is deeply personal and can be different for everyone, there are some commonly shared tips to help you complete Step 5. These can include:

• Confessing your wrongs to yourself and your higher power. Acknowledge your wrongs and accept them. Share your wrongs with your higher power in whichever way feels most comfortable (i.e., through meditation, talking out loud, attending church, etc.).
• Being intentional with who you want to confess to: If this is the first time you will work this part of the step, consider choosing a member of your AA group or a sponsor. This allows you to complete this portion of the step to an impartial jury rather than possibly hurting a loved one.
• Being as honest as possible. There is no room for dishonesty when attempting to complete the 12-Steps. While you may feel more comfortable only sharing a portion of your wrongs, it is imperative to share it all to truly let go of them and move forward.
• Preparing for future steps. Step 5 and Step 8 are tied to one another in many ways, as Step 8 requires you to make amends to those you have hurt. Take the time during the 5^th step to start thinking about who you want to make amends to and how you may do it.

How Step 5 Fits Into Your Recovery Journey

The 12 Steps outline the path to mental, emotional, and spiritual change.² Each step of AA brings you closer to regaining control over your life and promoting long-term recovery.² For example, in Step 4, you create a moral inventory of ways you’ve wronged yourself and others. In Step 5, you utilize this inventory to admit the nature of your wrongs.³ Once the 5^th Step is completed, you’ll begin work on Step 6, where you will ask your higher power to remove your faults.³

Completing AA Step 5 removes the secrecy and isolation contributing to addiction that many carry.⁴ Step 5 of AA promotes overall recovery by instilling accountability and forgiveness to move forward without holding on to the past.⁴

How to Find a 12-Step AA Program

People may attend 12-Step meetings as a supplement during treatment, after they have completed treatment, or as a program of its own. Regardless of the how’s and why’s, finding a 12-Step AA program is simple.

You can find 12-Step programs by searching for local meetings near you on the AA website.⁶ AA also offers a meeting guide app to help you find meetings and resources in your area.⁷ Most cities and districts have AA websites to search for meetings.⁸

AA meetings are free, available worldwide, and always welcome new participants.²

Start Your Recovery

If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol misuse or addiction, several options for help are available. American Addiction Centers (AAC) offers multiple levels of care, including medical detox, inpatient addiction treatment, various outpatient addiction treatment programs, and addiction aftercare. Many of our rehabs incorporate 12-Step philosophy into treatment to help you reach and sustain recovery.

Contact AAC at (630) 425-4078 to learn more about addiction treatment, health insurance coverage for rehab, and how to embark on your recovery journey.