STEP FIVE

“Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.”

Having made our personal inventory, what shall we do about it? We have been trying to get a new attitudeBig Book p. 72, par. 1

Remember Dr. Jung said (BB p. 27, line 18) “Ideas, emotions, and attitudes which were once the guiding forces of the lives of these men are suddenly cast to one side,...”

and a new relationship with our CreatorBig Book p. 72, par. 1

And our book said back on page 45 (line 13) that the main object of this book would enable me to find a power greater than myself, which would solve my problem.

and to discover the obstacles in our path.Big Book p. 72, par. 1

And what are some of the obstacles? Resentments, fears, and harms done to other people.

We have admitted certain defectsBig Book p. 72, par. 1

And what are these defects? Selfish, dishonest, self-seeking, frightened, and inconsiderate attitudes and behaviors.

we have ascertained in a rough way what the trouble is; we have put our finger on the weak items in our personal inventory. Now these are about to be cast out. This requires action on our part, which, when completed, will mean that we have admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being, the exact nature of our defects. This brings us to the Fifth Step in the program of recovery mentioned in the preceding chapter.Big Book p. 72, par. 1

In Step 4, we find those things that block us off from God.

In Step 5, we're going to talk about them to another human being.

In Step 6, we're going to become willing to turn them loose.

In Step 7, we're going to ask God to take them away.

Bill said, “You can call them anything you want to, a wrong, a thought, a mistake, a defect, a personality flaw, whatever.”

This is perhaps difficult — especially discussing our defects with another person. We think we have done well enough in admitting these things to ourselves. There is doubt about that. In actual practice, we usually find a solitary self-appraisal insufficient. Many of us thought it necessary to go much further. We will be more reconciled to discussing ourselves with another person when we see good reasons why we should do so. The best reason first: If we skip this vital step, we may not overcome drinking.Big Book p. 72, par. 1

You take these forms now (Step 4, Inventory pg. 65), and the very, very vital information that we've got here. The book says that the solitary self-appraisal is insufficient.

I did the very best I could do filling out these forms with the limited knowledge and experience that I had, but I did the best I could do.

Now, I take these to another human being and discuss them from left to right, all the way across. Someone who has gone before me and done the inventory according to the Big Book. Now that person is going to help me to glean more information out of each of these situations.

I need that information because a solitary self-appraisal is insufficient.

It's very difficult for me to look at myself and see the truth, which are my defects of character; these have come from a lifetime of rationalization and justification.

I need another human being to be able to look at myself objectively. They will help me see things I couldn't see; I'm starting out on a brand new lifetime engagement, and I need all the information I can to have a successful life.

I did the best I could do with the inventory process, but a solitary self-appraisal was insufficient. I needed God and another human being to help me see things that I couldn't see.

View The Steps

Step One Step Two Step Three Three Dimensions of Life Step Four Step Five Step Six / Seven Step Eight Step Nine Step Ten Step Eleven Step Twelve Step Thirteen

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