Recovery
The Twelve Steps
The Steps are how the individual alcoholic gets well: a spiritual program of action, one day at a time.
Alcoholics Anonymous (the Big Book) and Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions
36 threads. Three legacies. One tapestry.
36 threads, one tapestry
Take any number from one to twelve. The Step, the Tradition and the Concept that carry that number are three expressions of one idea, seen from the chair, from the group and from the Fellowship as a whole.
Look at the number one. Step One admits that we were powerless over alcohol and that our lives had become unmanageable. Tradition One says our common welfare comes first, because personal recovery depends on A.A. unity. Concept One places the final responsibility and ultimate authority for world services in the collective conscience of the whole Fellowship. Three sentences written years apart, and the same thread runs through all of them: none of us gets well alone, and the whole only works when each part admits it needs the others. Try it with two (a Power greater than ourselves, a loving God as expressed in our group conscience, the Conference as the active voice and effective conscience of the whole Fellowship) and the pattern shows up again.
The workshop is built around this pattern. The three legacy sessions each take one body of principles on its own terms, then the afternoon breakouts hand every room a single number to trace through its Step, Tradition and Concept. The same pattern shapes the planned weekly 36 Principles meeting: one number a week, all three legacies that week, read aloud together. The study pages lay out all 36 for anyone who wants to keep weaving after the day is over.
Unity
The Twelve Traditions
The Traditions are how the group stays well: the hard-won lessons that keep us together so the hand of A.A. is always there.
Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions and A.A. Comes of Age
Service
The Twelve Concepts for World Service
The Concepts are how the Fellowship as a whole stays well: the principles that let our service structure carry the message worldwide.
The A.A. Service Manual / Twelve Concepts for World Service
Side by side
Tap a number for the full texts, the thread that connects them, and questions for a meeting or a sponsor conversation.
| # | Step | Tradition | Concept | Thread |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1I | HonestyAdmitting powerlessness over alcohol and an unmanageable life Read Step 1 ↗ (opens in a new tab) | UnityThe group's welfare first, because no one recovers alone Read Tradition 1 ↗ (opens in a new tab) | ResponsibilityThe whole Fellowship holds final say over world services Read Concept I ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Where the power lives Admitting I have none, I discover where real power lives: in the group, and in the whole Fellowship's conscience. |
| 2II | HopeComing to believe a greater Power can restore us Read Step 2 ↗ (opens in a new tab) | TrustGod speaks through the group conscience; leaders serve, never rule Read Tradition 2 ↗ (opens in a new tab) | DelegationThe groups entrust the Conference to speak and act for them Read Concept II ↗ (opens in a new tab) | How God speaks to us A Power greater than ourselves speaks through a group conscience, and the Conference is that conscience for the whole Fellowship. |
| 3III | FaithChoosing to let a Higher Power direct our lives Read Step 3 ↗ (opens in a new tab) | IdentityWanting to stop drinking is all it takes to belong Read Tradition 3 ↗ (opens in a new tab) | DecisionTrusted servants may use their own judgment within their role Read Concept III ↗ (opens in a new tab) | The decision to trust Trusting God with my will, trusting a stranger's desire to stop drinking, trusting a servant's judgment: all one act of faith. |
| 4IV | CourageTaking an honest, searching look at ourselves Read Step 4 ↗ (opens in a new tab) | AutonomyEach group runs its own affairs, mindful of others Read Tradition 4 ↗ (opens in a new tab) | ParticipationEveryone who serves gets a vote in proportion to responsibility Read Concept IV ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Owning our own affairs Courage to take stock of my own life, freedom for a group to run its own, and a real vote for everyone who serves. |
| 5V | IntegritySharing our inventory out loud with God and another person Read Step 5 ↗ (opens in a new tab) | PurposeOne purpose: carrying the message to the suffering alcoholic Read Tradition 5 ↗ (opens in a new tab) | AppealMinority voices are heard; grievances get a fair hearing Read Concept V ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Speaking the hard truth Step Five says it out loud, Tradition Five keeps the message plain, and Concept V makes sure the quiet voice gets heard. |
| 6VI | WillingnessBecoming fully ready to let go of our defects Read Step 6 ↗ (opens in a new tab) | SolidarityStaying clear of outside enterprises, endorsements and the money that follows Read Tradition 6 ↗ (opens in a new tab) | InitiativeTrustees take the lead on most world service matters Read Concept VI ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Willing to let go Willingness to be rid of what holds me back, what distracts the group, and what keeps the Conference from trusting its trustees. |
| 7VII | HumilityAsking, with humility, for help with our shortcomings Read Step 7 ↗ (opens in a new tab) | ResponsibilityPaying our own way, declining outside contributions Read Tradition 7 ↗ (opens in a new tab) | BalanceThe board's legal power, balanced by the Conference's purse and tradition Read Concept VII ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Who holds us up Humility asks God for help, self-support keeps the group free, and the groups' basket keeps the Conference and board in balance. |
| 8VIII | Brotherly LoveListing those we harmed and becoming willing to repair it Read Step 8 ↗ (opens in a new tab) | FellowshipTwelfth Step work is never paid for; service centers may employ special workers Read Tradition 8 ↗ (opens in a new tab) | OversightTrustees plan broadly and oversee A.A.W.S. and the Grapevine Read Concept VIII ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Freely given, well stewarded Mending what we broke, helping one another for free, and trustees who steward without running everything: love that knows its job. |
| 9IX | JusticeGoing to those we harmed and setting things right Read Step 9 ↗ (opens in a new tab) | StructureNo bosses or bureaucracy, just committees that answer to us Read Tradition 9 ↗ (opens in a new tab) | LeadershipGood leaders, well chosen, at every level of service Read Concept IX ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Directly responsible Direct amends, committees directly responsible to those they serve, and leaders who guide without governing: justice made visible. |
| 10X | PerseveranceKeeping a daily inventory and promptly owning mistakes Read Step 10 ↗ (opens in a new tab) | NeutralityA.A. takes no sides on outside issues Read Tradition 10 ↗ (opens in a new tab) | AccountabilityResponsibility matched with equal, clearly defined authority Read Concept X ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Knowing where our job ends Daily inventory, no outside opinions, and every job with a clear scope: all three are about knowing where our business ends. |
| 11XI | Spiritual AwarenessGrowing closer to God through prayer and meditation Read Step 11 ↗ (opens in a new tab) | AnonymityAttraction, not promotion; staying anonymous in public media Read Tradition 11 ↗ (opens in a new tab) | CompetenceTrustees surround themselves with skilled committees, directors, executives and staff Read Concept XI ↗ (opens in a new tab) | The quiet work Prayer no one sees, recovery that speaks for itself, and skilled servants working out of the spotlight: depth, not display. |
| 12XII | ServiceAwakened, we carry the message and live the principles daily Read Step 12 ↗ (opens in a new tab) | SpiritualityAnonymity keeps the focus on principles, not personalities Read Tradition 12 ↗ (opens in a new tab) | WarrantiesSix Warranties keep the Conference spiritual, prudent and democratic Read Concept XII ↗ (opens in a new tab) | The spiritual foundation A spiritual awakening, anonymity as our foundation, and Warranties that keep the Conference spiritual: the ground under it all. |
The principle words below are the ones members commonly cite in Step, Tradition and Concept study; they are a study aid passed along in meetings, not A.A. literature, and other lists exist.
The Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions and Twelve Concepts for World Service are copyrighted by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. Read them in full at aa.org.
Keep weaving, every week
A weekly online A.A. meeting is being planned around the same idea: the Step, the Tradition and the Concept of one number, read aloud together, followed by sharing on how that thread shows up in our recovery, our home groups and our service.
The meeting day, time and Zoom details will be posted here once the founding group has settled them.
Suggested meeting format
- Open with the Serenity Prayer and the A.A. Preamble.
- Read the Step, the Tradition and the Concept of the week (short forms), one reader each.
- The chair offers two or three minutes on the thread that connects them (see the study page for that number).
- Open sharing, three minutes each, on how that thread shows up in your recovery, your home group and your service.
- Seventh Tradition reminder, announcements, and close with the Responsibility Statement.