Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a program focused on recovery for individuals with addiction to alcohol but many people have sought support for addictions of all kinds including drugs, sex, food and more. Moving through the steps with other people who have an addiction provides community, particularly the further along a person goes in recovery. Step 6 focuses on how to prepare oneself for getting rid of character flaws. Learn more about this step and how to get started.
Step 6
Progression from Step 5 to 6 requires a person be ‘entirely ready to have God remove all defects of character.’ The purpose of this step is to support a person becoming fully prepared to rid oneself of flaws listed in Step 4. A person’s character is revealed along with a willingness to experience recovery by working to become better in spite of the flaws.
Getting Started
A person who is working through Step 6 must be willing to do what it takes to do an internal inventory of flaws and purge oneself of the flaws. Since this cannot be done alone, a person must be willing to do the following:
- Work with a higher power to remove defects
- Acknowledge the process is a journey which is continual and lasts a lifetime
- Quit pursuing perfectionistic ideals which can lead to unhappiness and dissatisfaction
Tips
Some of the following tips can be helpful to a person going through Step 6. It is important to keep in mind the process is a journey that occurs over a person’s life and is not something with a hard starting and stopping point. Here are some tips to consider:
- Don’t feel discouraged if the process takes time
- Everyone is a work in progress. Seek joy in moments of success and celebrate little victories
- Maintain an open mind and positive attitude throughout the journey
Myths
One of the myths that is a misconception for Step 6 revolves around God. Specifically, the idea God refers to a Christian God. People may avoid AA because of this but God can refer to any higher power a person believes in. AA does not require belief in any specific God. What matters is the person maintains a positive attitude and faith in a higher power to help sustain progress through the steps. No right or wrong way exists to go through the steps but belief in a higher power will help move a person towards successful completion of personal goals and maintenance of recovery.
Progressing through recovery is tough without support. The Villa is here to help with resources and treatment options which keep individual goals in mind. Contact us to find out how we can help you put addiction in the past.
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