Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a well-known mutual-help program for people who want to stop drinking. Its Twelve Steps are the core practices many members use as a guide for personal recovery. This article is for information and support, not medical advice. Alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous for some people. If you are unsure about safety, consider contacting a licensed clinician or an emergency service in your area.
If you are in the United States and need help finding treatment or support options, SAMHSA’s National Helpline is free, confidential, and available 24/7.
Key Takeaways
- 12-step programs are peer-led mutual support frameworks that combine community, structure, and practical actions for recovery.
- AA is the model most people mean when they reference a “famous 12-step program,” and it influenced many other fellowships.
- AA 12 and 12 is a common companion text that expands on each Step and Tradition beyond the Big Book list.
- The 12 steps generally move from admitting the problem to self-review, repair, and ongoing growth.
- Step work is typically done with support (meetings, a sponsor, and reflection) rather than as a solo, one-time exercise.
- 12-step calls usually refer to outreach support that helps someone connect with meetings and local resources.
- No fixed timeline exists for AA step work, and people often revisit steps as their recovery evolves.
- Many fellowships use 12-step principles, so “12-step program” can describe several different mutual-aid groups.
- Finding the steps is often easiest by looking for the numbered list in the Big Book section titled “How It Works.”
- Recovery housing can add daily structure and accountability that may complement meetings and step work.
What is the basic concept of a 12-step program?
People searching “what are the steps” often want both the wording and the purpose. In general, 12-step programs are mutual-aid groups: members support each other through meetings, shared experience, and practical guidance.
Across different fellowships, the basic concept is consistent: recognize the problem, take an honest look at patterns, repair harms where possible, build healthier daily habits, and stay connected by helping others.
If you want help finding support groups, our recovery meetings page lists options and resources that can make it easier to get started.
A famous 12 step program is associated with Alcoholics Anonymous
A famous 12 step program is associated with Alcoholics Anonymous, which began in the 1930s and influenced many later fellowships that adapted the same approach.
If you’re also trying to understand how effectiveness is measured and why results vary, see our overview of the AA success rate and the factors that can affect outcomes.
In AA, the AA steps are often worked with support from meetings and, for many people, a sponsor (an experienced member who helps guide step work). How that looks can vary from group to group.
AA 12 and 12, step program workbooks, and PDFs
“AA 12 and 12” is shorthand for Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, a book that discusses each step and each tradition in more detail.
You may also see searches like “aa twelve and twelve pdf” or “aa 12 and 12 pdf.” Because AA literature is copyrighted, “free PDFs” online may not be authorized. A safer option is to use official AA channels, local AA offices, or established AA sellers for legitimate formats and accessibility options.
Search terms like “12 step program workbook,” “aa 12 step program workbook,” or “alcoholics anonymous 12 step workbook” usually refer to guided questions or writing prompts. Some are AA-based, and others are third-party materials. Many people keep it simple: meetings, sponsor guidance, and written reflection.
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The 12 steps of AA explained in simple terms
The sections below explain the twelve steps of AA in plain language. This is not the official wording, but it reflects the order and intent of the steps as described by AA.
For an official, full-text version of the Steps, you can review Alcoholics Anonymous Great Britain’s Twelve Steps.
Step 1 AA: admitting the problem
Step 1 is about admitting that alcohol has become unmanageable and that repeated self-management has not worked. For many people, this is a shift from arguing with the evidence to seeing it clearly.
Step 2 AA: being open to help
Step 2 centers on the idea that support beyond personal willpower can restore stability. For some, that is spiritual. For others, it is trust in the group, the process, or a set of values. AA materials often describe Step 2 as a matter of willingness and open-mindedness.
If you see “step 2 aa 12×12” or “step 2 in the 12 and 12,” it usually means someone is studying the Step Two chapter in Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.
Step 3: choosing a new direction
Step 3 is often understood as deciding to follow a recovery path rather than trying to run everything alone. The emphasis is commitment to change, not perfection.
Step 4: taking a personal inventory
Step 4 is a structured look at patterns—fears, resentments, and behaviors—that shaped life while drinking. Many people write it down to make it concrete.
Step 5: sharing honestly
Step 5 involves sharing that inventory with another person in a confidential setting. The goal is openness and accountability, not judgment.
Step 6: preparing to change
Step 6 is about readiness to let go of patterns that no longer work. It can feel challenging because some habits are familiar, even when they are harmful.
Step 7: asking for help with change
Step 7 focuses on humility and support while changing. Some interpret it as spiritual; others treat it as a practice of asking for guidance and staying teachable.
Step 8: listing harms and building willingness
Step 8 involves identifying people harmed and becoming willing to make things right. The focus is preparation, not rushing into risky conversations.
Step 9: making amends when appropriate
Step 9 is making amends where possible, while avoiding actions that could injure others. Many people use sponsor input to plan safer, more honest repairs.
Step 10: ongoing self-review
Step 10 continues the inventory process day to day. It encourages noticing mistakes sooner and correcting course before problems build.
Step 11: reflection, prayer, or meditation
Step 11 supports a regular practice of reflection. Some use prayer; others use meditation, journaling, or quiet time to stay aligned with values.
Step 12: living the principles and helping others
Step 12 involves carrying the message and practicing these principles in everyday life. In practical terms, this may look like being available, participating in service, or sponsoring when ready.
How to work the 12 steps of AA
When someone asks “how to work the 12 steps of AA,” the most common answer is: one step at a time, with support. Many people combine meeting attendance, sponsor guidance, and written reflection. Some move quickly; others take a slower pace. The goal is steady change that holds up in real life.
Many meetings also include optional milestone tokens called AA chips, which some groups use to mark sober time and encourage consistency in early recovery.
What is a 12 step call?
A 12 step call is usually a request for immediate peer support. It may involve an AA member talking with someone who wants help and connecting them to meetings or resources. Many calls are handled by phone, but some involve meeting in person.
For a fuller explanation of boundaries, safety, and what people mean by 12th Step calls, see our Step 12 guide.
Some AA service offices publish safety-focused tips, such as going with another member and maintaining anonymity.
How long does 12 step program take?
In AA itself, there is no set endpoint. Some people work through the steps once, revisit them later, or treat them as ongoing practices.
In clinical settings, you may hear about Twelve-Step Facilitation (TSF), a structured counseling approach designed to encourage participation in 12-step mutual-help groups. A well-known TSF model was studied in Project MATCH, sponsored by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
How many 12 step programs are there?
There is no single official count, but many fellowships have adapted the 12-step approach for different needs. One widely cited overview notes that over 200 mutual-aid organizations have adopted and adapted AA’s steps and traditions.
“Twelve steps of NA” (Narcotics Anonymous) is one example of a fellowship that applies a similar framework to addiction more broadly.
Where are the 12 steps in the AA book?
AA’s own description is that the steps are outlined in the Big Book at the beginning of the chapter “How It Works.”
Because print and digital editions vary, the simplest way to find them is to open that chapter and look near the start for the numbered list.
Seven step program vs. twelve steps
People sometimes search for a “seven step program” as a shorter alternative. There is no single, universal seven-step model the way the AA steps are widely standardized. In practice, the number of steps matters less than having steady support and a clear structure for change.
How Eudaimonia Recovery Homes Supports 12-Step Work
Eudaimonia Recovery Homes can support people who are using The 12 Steps of AA: Information and Support as a practical guide by providing a stable, substance-free living environment where recovery routines are easier to maintain. A structured home setting can make it simpler to stay consistent with step work, meeting attendance, and daily accountability. To see what accountability and peer-led structure can look like in practice, explore our recovery support program overview.
Research literature describes recovery housing as alcohol- and drug-free living environments that provide peer support and can support treatment engagement (see this review of recovery housing during outpatient treatment).
Living alongside others who are also focused on recovery may reduce isolation and create steady peer support between meetings. Residents can use the predictability of house expectations to practice core 12-step principles like honesty, responsibility, and making healthier choices. Recovery housing can also help bridge the gap between a higher level of care and independent living by offering structure while you rebuild work, school, and family rhythms.
Many people find it helpful to have a consistent place to return to after meetings, especially when emotions are high or cravings come up. Practical support, like planning a weekly schedule for meetings and step writing time, can help turn good intentions into follow-through. This kind of support is generally meant to complement—not replace—clinical treatment, medical care, or therapy when those are needed.
For readers considering a structured living environment while attending meetings, you can learn more about sober living and how it typically works day to day.
If you want to explore eligibility and next steps, the sober living program application is a practical place to begin.
How to Work Each of the 12 Steps of AA
Want a deeper walkthrough of individual steps? These step guides expand on common questions and practical ways people approach step work:
Other Sober Living Locations
Frequently Asked Questions About the 12 Steps of AA
What are the 12 steps of AA?
The 12 steps of AA are a structured set of suggested actions that many members use to support recovery from alcohol problems. They generally move from acknowledging the problem, to personal reflection, to repairing harms, and then to ongoing practice and helping others. People often refer to them simply as “AA steps” or “the twelve steps.”
Where can I find the 12 steps?
You can find the steps in AA’s main literature and on official AA websites, and they are commonly read aloud at meetings. If you are searching for an “AA 12 steps PDF,” keep in mind that not all online PDFs are authorized or up to date, so it helps to confirm the source before relying on it.
Do I have to be religious to practice the 12 steps?
No. Although the steps include spiritual language, many people interpret “Higher Power” in a personal way that does not require formal religion. Some people view it as the AA group, a set of values, or a broader sense of support outside themselves.
How do the 12 steps help with recovery?
The 12 steps can help by adding structure and accountability when life feels unstable. Many people use step work to identify patterns, repair relationships when appropriate, and build habits that support long-term sobriety. The steps are typically approached as a process rather than a one-time checklist.
How do I start working the 12 steps of AA?
Many people begin by attending meetings, listening for shared experience, and learning how the program is practiced locally. If you choose, you can look for a sponsor (an experienced peer) to guide you through the steps at a steady pace. Reading AA literature and setting regular time for reflection or writing can also support step work.
Can I work the 12 steps without going to meetings?
Some people read and reflect on the steps on their own, but AA is designed as a mutual-support program, so meetings are often a key part of the experience. Meetings can provide connection, routine, and practical perspective from others who are also working the AA steps. If in-person meetings are hard to attend, some communities also offer virtual formats.
What happens at an AA meeting?
Meeting formats vary, but many include readings, shared discussion, and time for members to talk about their experience in recovery. You are generally not required to speak, and many newcomers choose to listen at first. Meetings are typically focused on support, anonymity, and practical next steps.
If you’re new to AA, this guide on what to expect at your first AA meeting can clarify common formats and what people typically do in the room.
Is AA right for me?
AA may be worth exploring if alcohol use feels difficult to control, is affecting daily life, or keeps leading to unwanted outcomes. Many people try several meetings before deciding whether the approach fits their needs. AA is not the only path to recovery, but it is one option that is widely available.
Where are the 12 steps in the AA Big Book?
In many editions of the AA Big Book, the 12 steps appear near the beginning of Chapter 5, “How It Works.” Page numbers can vary by edition and format, so the chapter title is often the most reliable way to locate them quickly.
What is AA 12 and 12?
“AA 12 and 12” refers to the book Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, which expands on each step and explains AA’s traditions. People often use it alongside the Big Book for deeper context or discussion in step-focused meetings. If you see searches like “AA twelve and twelve PDF,” it is best to use official sources or verified sellers for legitimate copies.
What is a 12 step call?
A 12 step call (sometimes called a “12th step call”) is generally an outreach contact where a person in recovery connects with someone who is currently struggling and wants help. This may involve a phone call, a conversation, or help finding meetings and local resources. Many groups emphasize safety, boundaries, and anonymity during outreach.
How long is a 12 step program?
There is no single timeline for completing the 12 steps, and many people treat step work as ongoing. Some people move through the steps in months, while others take longer or revisit steps over time. The focus is usually on steady progress and practical application, not finishing by a deadline.
What is the difference between treatment and 12-step programs/groups?
Treatment typically refers to professional services such as medical care, therapy, or structured clinical programs. A 12-step program is usually peer-led mutual support, centered on meetings, sponsorship, and shared experience. Many people use both, with 12-step support serving as ongoing community connection alongside clinical care when needed.
What should I expect from 12 step recovery programs?
Most people can expect regular meetings, a focus on anonymity, and encouragement to build support through participation and sponsorship. Some meetings emphasize discussion, while others focus on step study or speaker sharing. It is common to try more than one meeting style to find a good fit.
