Step 12 of AA: Helping others

Edmund Murphy
Dr. Kimberly Langdon
Written by Edmund Murphy on 08 February 2022
Medically reviewed by Dr. Kimberly Langdon on 25 November 2024

Step 12 is the final part of the Alcoholics Anonymous process, one which prepares the participant to begin a new life and practice the lessons they have learned while helping others in need.

Step 12 of Alcoholics Anonymous
"Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs."

Step 12 is meant to continue creating a community that offers lifelong support to everyone in the recovery journey.

Key takeaways:
  • Step 12 asks those that reach it to take what they have learned and send it forward onto to other addicts while never losing sight of their own addiction.
  • Many people will not be able to reach Step 12 without having had help from their sponsor and the AA community throughout the process.

What does the 12th Step of AA mean?

Step 12 of AA is the culmination of a momentous spiritual and life-changing journey. The previous 11 steps have taught the participant humility, respect, fearlessness in owning their mistakes, the need for a higher power to help govern their lives, and the practices needed to maintain sobriety.

Step 12 asks those who reach it to take what they have learned and send it forward onto to other addicts while never losing sight of their own addiction. The 12th step prayer reads as follows:

"try to carry the message to others."

Helping others: Sharing one's experience, strength, and hope with others who struggle with addiction, offering support and guidance to those seeking recovery. This is ultimately the highest level of recovery. Now, one is accountable for another as well as themselves. Further, this ensures that one remains intentional and consistent with recovery. Again, recovery has to be at the forefront of one’s mind to be successful. Helping others makes it even more so but comes with the added benefit of feeling some satisfaction by helping out another. Whether true altruism exists or not, there is no denying the positive feeling of helping another. [2]

Dr. Matt Glowiak

Medical advisor

This simple instruction underpins one of the core principles of AA, that we are all capable of being sober if helped by others.

Completing the 12 Steps of AA

While it is important and expected to feel a great deal of personal pride when completing the steps, it is also necessary to remember humility and purpose. Many people will not be able to reach Step 12 without having had help from their sponsor and the AA community throughout the process. This is why step 12 asks that you go out and help fellow addicts by practicing what you have learned thus far.

This is why those going through AA can never truly complete the 12 steps. Instead, they are intended to be a set of guiding principles and daily rituals that the recovering addict can use to maintain sobriety while extending a helping hand to others who are in need.

Challenges of reaching the 12th Step

Though the 12 steps are intended to be an ongoing series of practices to help maintain sobriety, there are challenges that many people face when reaching the twelfth step. One of the primary issues is the feeling of ownership over addiction.

Those who go through the program can often feel like they have regained control of their dependence on alcohol and can begin to make concessions and excuses to drink again. They may feel that they can now drink in moderation or allow themselves “treat” drinks as a reward for good behavior. In almost all cases this attitude will lead to relapse and a need to start the 12 steps all over again.

Only through dedication to the 12 steps and abstaining from alcohol can anyone who has gone through the program maintain their sobriety. This is why AA is intended to be a lifelong community to whom anyone can turn when temptation hits or if they slip up during recovery.

If you or someone you know needs the support of the AA and the 12-Step program to tackle alcohol addiction, then search for a meeting in your area today.

Previous: Step 11 of AA

Next: The preamble of AA

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Resources:

  1. Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. (1981). New York: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services. Retrieved Feb 07, 2022, from:
  2. Matt Glowiak, PhD, LCP. (n.d.). Choosing Therapy.

Activity History - Last updated: 25 November 2024, Published date:


Reviewer

Kimberly Langdon M.D. has been contributing to medical fields including mental health and addiction since she retired from medicine; with over 19 years of practicing clinical experience.

Activity History - Medically Reviewed on 28 January 2022 and last checked on 25 November 2024

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Kimberly Langdon

Dr. Kimberly Langdon

M.D.

Reviewer

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