Whats Step 4 in AA All About?

American Addiction Centers (AAC) operates treatment facilities nationwide, with navigators standing by 24/7 to help you get admitted into treatment. Our addiction helpline may also be able to help connect you with rehabs near you. The book Twelve and Twelve encourages us to write down the inventory.

Identifying Character Defects and Patterns in Step Four

• Journaling is one of the most popular and effective techniques.
• This approach prevents feeling overwhelmed while ensuring thorough self-examination.
• When one identifies these weaknesses, it allows them to create plans to overcome them and change their habits in the future.
• This self-examination is crucial in understanding how negative thoughts, emotions, and past behaviors have contributed to their struggles with alcohol or drugs.

The fourth step is a spiritual step of our personal inventory. Once we finish the 4th step, we can feel good about having all of that information organized and ready to share however we choose. The purpose of this step is to reveal your anger and resentments as best you can. We are going to look at our own lives and how we may have wronged others. In this program of recovery, we take this important step with a trusted friend or sponsor. And we can also look at our character assets and positive traits.

A Deeper Look at the 12 Steps: Step 4

This approach prevents feeling overwhelmed while ensuring thorough self-examination. This process can also lead to personal growth and a healthier mindset. Step four and its inventory process begins the spiritual growth necessary for recovery. It emphasizes establishing or improving your relationship with yourself, your loved ones, and a higher power.

What are the 12 Steps of AA, Including Step 4 of AA?

We reach this milestone when we can tell ourselves the truth about our lives. That story might be painful to put into words, we might feel shame and remorse, and we will work through resentment and anger along the way. We take responsibility for where we are and for what we have done along the way. Recognizing these defects creates space for new, healthier patterns to emerge.

Ties to Other Steps in the 12 Steps of AA

• However, if you or a loved one needs detox support or addiction treatment, you may benefit from attending treatment at a dedicated rehab facility.
• Another significant benefit of completing Step 4 is the opportunity for spiritual growth.
• There are several options on how to start the fourth step.
• You might recognize resilience you never knew you possessed, or uncover creative problem-solving abilities that were masked by addiction.
• Honest information from this step was even helpful in Steps Eight and Nine because I had listed my harms to others on page 70.
• It can also be helpful to reach out to your AA sponsor, your alcohol addiction support group, a trusted friend or family member, or a therapist to help in completing Step 4 of AA.

Step 4 of AA is designed to help those struggling with addiction examine their behavior and character. Through the process of discovering the true nature of personal character, a participant learns to identify the weaknesses that may have helped contribute to alcohol addiction. When one identifies these weaknesses, it allows them to create plans to overcome them and change their habits in the future. As one might expect, self-reflection can be a deeply challenging and uncomfortable endeavor. Luckily, there are processes for practicing Step 4 of AA. Step 4 of Alcoholics Anonymous requires a very careful personal inventory of character assets.

Fourth Step Prayer

Your sponsor Sober living home might give you an outline or information to fill out. There’s also an Excel spreadsheet available to write your 4th step. Help me to resolutely look for my own mistakes and to understand where I had been selfish, dishonest, self-seeking and frightened.

Do not focus on comparing your past with what your sponsor was like. We are all united by our addiction to alcohol and that is the guiding principle, not who was better or worse or more addicted. This is also the first step where the sponsor, who is also likely to be the person you admit things to in step five alcoholics anonymous begins to play a huge role. Perhaps the sponsor can find a fourth-step worksheet online and work through it with you.