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AA Step 6: Accept that Change Comes with the Help of Higher Power

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a popular support group for people struggling with alcohol addiction.1 The 12 Steps of AA are guiding principles for spiritual growth and sobriety.2 Keep reading to learn more about Step 6 of AA, how to complete it, and ways to find AA meetings near you.

What is Step 6 of AA?

Step 6 of AA is “were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.”3 This step succeeds Step 5, where members admit their wrongdoings to themselves, their higher power, and someone else.3 AA Step 6 encourages members to look to their higher power for change and prepare themselves for change.3

What is the Purpose of Step 6 of AA?

The purpose of Step 6 of AA is to reinforce that change is possible with help.4 Members recognize that their willpower alone cannot help them reach sobriety.4 So they learn to seek guidance and support from something higher than themselves.4 With openness to receive help, members become active participants in changing their behaviors.4

This step also releases you from the burden of your wrongdoings and trying to quit substances alone.4 By relinquishing control of your addiction, you allow your higher power to change you.4 

Step 6 of AA strengthens your relationship with your higher power as you place trust in it to reach sobriety.4 It also promotes honoring yourself to take the necessary steps to change with the help of your higher power. AA Step 6 promotes the journey to becoming a better version of yourself to reach and sustain sobriety.4

How to Complete Step 6 of AA?

Step 6 of AA emphasizes a readiness to change.4 The preceding steps help you find faith in your higher power and take inventory of your wrongdoings.3 Working a 12-Step program is a personal journey. How one chooses to approach the 12 Steps is different for everyone. That said, there is general advice you can follow for direction. Here are some guidelines on how to complete Step 6 of AA:4

  • Be ready to change. A fundamental of AA Step 6 is preparing yourself for the changes you need to make. Prepare yourself by accepting your behaviors and embracing the challenges that come with change.
  • Be honest with yourself. Fully explore each character flaw deeply to work through them completely.
  • Actively try to change. Take action as quickly as you can to move towards your higher power’s will for you.
  • Try your best. In AA, your higher power is perfect in your eyes. That said, you should try to walk in the light of them. Of course, perfection isn’t possible. But actively trying to do better every day can bring you closer to the person you want to be.
  • Be patient with yourself. Addressing all your character flaws at once is challenging. Understand that change takes time, and complete this step at your own pace.

How Step 6 Fits into Your Recovery Journey

Each step leads you to more growth and progress, helping you do the necessary work to complete the next.2 Step 5 is about admitting to God, yourself, and a person the exact nature of your wrongs.3 This crucial step encourages self-reflection and accountability for your actions in active addiction while promoting acceptance.5 In Step 7, you humbly ask your higher power to remove your shortcomings. Step 7 helps you accept your flaws and the need for change.3

Step 6 of AA occurs between these steps because it encourages self-acceptance and letting go.4 This step stresses the significance of change and prepares you for it.4 After you’ve admitted your wrongdoings, you release yourself of the burdens you held.5 Accepting the need for change opens the doors to learning, growth, and healthier relationships, pushing you closer to recovery.4

How to Find a 12-Step AA Program

People are introduced to 12-Step programs in many ways. Some attend their first meeting as a part of treatment. Inpatient drug and alcohol rehab and outpatient addiction treatment programs often complement evidence-based care with the 12-Step philosophy to promote long-term recovery.1 Others begin 12-Step programs as a form of addiction aftercare or attend meetings instead of professional treatment.

Start Your Recovery

Professional treatment could also be beneficial if you’re interested in 12-Step programs or are already attending one. Multiple levels of care, like medical detox, inpatient rehab, and various outpatient programs, can help you reach your recovery goals.1 Many programs offer individualized treatment plans with therapy, addiction education, and peer support groups to meet you where you are in recovery.1

Our admissions navigators can answer your questions about rehab, using health insurance to pay for rehab, other ways to pay for treatment, and more. Contact AAC at or fill out the form below to start your recovery journey.

In addition to providing you with information, our admission navigators can help you find the type of program that will best meet your needs. You can also look at some of the facilities listed below to see if they provide the program you are looking for:

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