Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUnpacking AA’s 10th StepBenefits of Step 10Tips and StrategiesNext in AA 12 Step Program GuideWhat Is Step 11 of AA?

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Table of Contents

Unpacking AA’s 10th Step

Benefits of Step 10

Tips and Strategies

Next in AA 12 Step Program Guide

Step 10 ofAlcoholics Anonymous (AA),Narcotics Anonymous (NA),Al-Anon, or any other program with a 12-step program states:“Continued to take personal inventory and, when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.“It may be one of the least popular of all the 12 steps. After all, it doesn’t exactly feel great when we’re wrong and have to admit it.But without this step, progress toward recovery can not only cease, it can actually lose ground. Let’s check out some of the benefits of step 10, along with ways we can incorporate it into our daily lives.12 Steps DefinedAccording to Alcoholic Anonymous, the 12 steps are as follows:We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.Made a list of persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.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.Unpacking AA’s 10th StepIn step 10, personal inventory refers to emotional disturbances that can trigger a person to return to misusing drugs or alcohol. Watching for these disturbances on a daily basis—and taking a daily inventory—is an important part of recovery.Step 10 helps to keep the spiritual house clean. We’re all bound to make mistakes and errors, but owning up to those wrongs quickly settles the issue. Rather than having them weigh on our conscience or suffer greater consequences when they build up, we can correct the mistake nip the problem in the bud quickly, and move on.Nobody likes to admit to being wrong, but it is absolutely necessary to maintain spiritual progress in recovery.Benefits of Step 10Step 10is another process that seems difficult on the surface but is actually as much a benefit to us, who are admitting our wrong, as it is to the person we’ve wronged.By quickly facing mistakes and taking responsibility for them, it prevents situations from festering into resentments and anger that can become real problems.For example, suppose you say something super insensitive, and as soon as it pops out of your mouth, you realize it was the wrong thing to say to that person. As step 10 suggests, you apologize immediately and tell the person that you were wrong and you should never have said it.Then, you can walk away knowing you’ve done your part to make it right. If the other person wants to hold on to it and remain angry about it, it’s their problem, not yours.Remember, the steps are to helpyoumake progress. At the end of the day, you apologized for your spiritual benefit more than for their benefit.Warning Signs of an Alcohol or Drug RelapseTips and StrategiesHere are some practical ways to apply the 10th step to daily life:Admit when you’re wrong.The act of quickly trying to right a wrong can keep our mental house clean and prevent ego from getting in the way of step 10.Take a daily inventory.Set aside time each day to meditate and reflect on your day—both the good and bad parts. Here are a few questions we can consider asking ourselves:Was I dishonest or resentful?Did I say or do anything that would warrant an apology?Have I been worrying about yesterday or tomorrow?Did I allow myself to become obsessed about anything?Have I allowed myself to become too hungry, angry, lonely, or tired?Do I suffer from any physical, mental, or spiritual problems?What steps can I take to do better tomorrow?What do I have to be grateful for today?What This Means For YouLike every part of a 12-step program, step 10 takes commitment as we work daily to take personal inventory, admit when we’re wrong, and be our best selves along the journey toward lasting recovery.If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.The 12 Steps of Recovery Programs

Step 10 ofAlcoholics Anonymous (AA),Narcotics Anonymous (NA),Al-Anon, or any other program with a 12-step program states:“Continued to take personal inventory and, when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.”

It may be one of the least popular of all the 12 steps. After all, it doesn’t exactly feel great when we’re wrong and have to admit it.

But without this step, progress toward recovery can not only cease, it can actually lose ground. Let’s check out some of the benefits of step 10, along with ways we can incorporate it into our daily lives.

12 Steps DefinedAccording to Alcoholic Anonymous, the 12 steps are as follows:We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.Made a list of persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.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.

12 Steps Defined

According to Alcoholic Anonymous, the 12 steps are as follows:We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.Made a list of persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.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.

According to Alcoholic Anonymous, the 12 steps are as follows:

In step 10, personal inventory refers to emotional disturbances that can trigger a person to return to misusing drugs or alcohol. Watching for these disturbances on a daily basis—and taking a daily inventory—is an important part of recovery.

Step 10 helps to keep the spiritual house clean. We’re all bound to make mistakes and errors, but owning up to those wrongs quickly settles the issue. Rather than having them weigh on our conscience or suffer greater consequences when they build up, we can correct the mistake nip the problem in the bud quickly, and move on.

Nobody likes to admit to being wrong, but it is absolutely necessary to maintain spiritual progress in recovery.

Step 10is another process that seems difficult on the surface but is actually as much a benefit to us, who are admitting our wrong, as it is to the person we’ve wronged.

By quickly facing mistakes and taking responsibility for them, it prevents situations from festering into resentments and anger that can become real problems.

For example, suppose you say something super insensitive, and as soon as it pops out of your mouth, you realize it was the wrong thing to say to that person. As step 10 suggests, you apologize immediately and tell the person that you were wrong and you should never have said it.

Then, you can walk away knowing you’ve done your part to make it right. If the other person wants to hold on to it and remain angry about it, it’s their problem, not yours.

Remember, the steps are to helpyoumake progress. At the end of the day, you apologized for your spiritual benefit more than for their benefit.

Warning Signs of an Alcohol or Drug Relapse

Here are some practical ways to apply the 10th step to daily life:

What This Means For YouLike every part of a 12-step program, step 10 takes commitment as we work daily to take personal inventory, admit when we’re wrong, and be our best selves along the journey toward lasting recovery.

What This Means For You

Like every part of a 12-step program, step 10 takes commitment as we work daily to take personal inventory, admit when we’re wrong, and be our best selves along the journey toward lasting recovery.

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

The 12 Steps of Recovery Programs

2 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Alcoholics Anonymous.Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. 77th printing. Alcoholics Anonymous World Services; 2012.Narcotics Anonymous.The Narcotics Anonymous Step Working Guide.

2 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Alcoholics Anonymous.Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. 77th printing. Alcoholics Anonymous World Services; 2012.Narcotics Anonymous.The Narcotics Anonymous Step Working Guide.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Alcoholics Anonymous.Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. 77th printing. Alcoholics Anonymous World Services; 2012.Narcotics Anonymous.The Narcotics Anonymous Step Working Guide.

Alcoholics Anonymous.Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. 77th printing. Alcoholics Anonymous World Services; 2012.

Narcotics Anonymous.The Narcotics Anonymous Step Working Guide.

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