What are the 12 Steps of AA

What are the 12 Steps of AA This video is part of my series on 12 Step recovery and will hopefully answer some questions you may have about the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Disclaimer: I am not a member of AA. I do not participate in AA. I am not a representative of AA nor am I promoting AA.
Helpful AA Resources:
How to find an AA meeting:
alcoholicsanonymous.com/find-a-meeting
Official website of Alcoholics Anonymous:
www.aa.org
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#drkjfoster #aa #sobriety

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Are you familiar with the Steps? What did you like about this video? My mic broke during the filming of this video and I didn't have a back-up, so I apologize the sound is not great. Two new mic's on the way 💜

[@heatherdevries8866]

For the first time in my life, I’m going into sobriety, instead of just having times of being sober. I can get sober, but until AA, I never took sobriety seriously. Thank you for explaining these steps in depth. Im only 6 days in, but I’m DONE with the devil in the bottle that had helped me ruin so much of my life. Im responsible for my actions, but wouldn’t have done half of it, had I not been drinking. Thank you again.

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Congratulations! Good luck on your journey. It's a great life.

[@nadiahmiller9082]

I am in need of AA and you explained the 12 steps (which I didn’t know them) very well. It helped me to see each step and how the 12 steps are more spiritual then religious. So thank you for your time and energy. Also good for you for working these steps your a huge inspiration!! ❤

[@DRKJFOSTER]

I'm so glad you found it helpful!

[@mtgonline]

I hit rock bottom last night. I reached out to a family member and told them I needed help. Contacted AA who is going to get a sponsor to call me in the next few days. I’m 100% committed but I’m terrified of failing

[@RevDavidGibson]

Dont project failure that hasnt appeared. Have hope, and take the 1st step completely to heart. Praying for you.

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Congratulations. I'm rooting for you!!

[@theboyisnotright6312]

You have taken the first step!🙂. I've been trying to quit booze my way for a year and I can't on my own. I need to reach out myself and it's hard. At least for me, most everyone I've trusted in my life had betrayed my trust. I keep my own consul, and I've come to the conclusion I will have to reach out, it's hard but working on it.good luck my friend!

[@user-qu6ij5sl1v]

Probably should be terrified good luck

[@mtgonline]

It’s been 4 and a half months and going strong. Enjoying my life a lot more these days

[@darylsned]

I love how you shared all the steps in such an in depth video on all the steps. So grateful for you!

[@moviecrazed2208]

My partner has started her journey. She started AA so im watching to understand it. She's literally a month sober which is crazy considering what she was oike a minth ago. So proud of her. Ironically i don't drink so teying to understand it.

[@DRKJFOSTER]

That's wonderful that you are taking the time to educate yourself. This is so important because sometimes family members and loved ones have no idea how they are actually contributing to make it more difficult for their loved one to get better. It doesn't sound like that's the case with you, but you will find out the more that you learn.

[@Unknown-q2j6r]

This is a great video!!! I really liked how you explained moral inventory! thank you :)

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Glad it was helpful!

[@augustineryngksai9540]

I am not an addict but I like the 12 steps program and I do listen to you now and then. thank you so much ❤❤❤

[@DRKJFOSTER]

You're welcome.

[@smitch5492]

Thanks so much! Helpful information

[@DRKJFOSTER]

You are so welcome!

[@robertnastasi4489]

Thank You. I am really am Grateful for You making this video. Looking forward to watching more of Your videos. The 12 steps has saved My life. Have a Bless Night.😊

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Glad it was helpful!

[@darinhenderson2997]

The way you used ur words and explain everything was amazing

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Thank you, Darin. I'm glad you enjoyed the video and appreciate your kind words.

[@angelicanegron3292]

I really appreciate your video bc you broke down the steps & as an educator for 25 years I wna continue to educate myself to apply this knowledge go my life

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Glad it was helpful!

[@VanNessy97]

Oh. The power that's greater than myself is the power of having my Social Links. The higher power is my support system, my friends and family who genuinely want to help me get better.

[@rickgonzales5194]

STEP 2.....The Bigbook states, and I agree, that we are beyond human aid. And, although we support one another in A.A., the fellowship is not enough to keep us sober. The needed Power isn't there. "There is One Who has all Power, that One is God, may you find Him now". The insanity refered to in Step 2, is the Insanity of the first drink. The book also mentions anger "the dubious luxury of normal men. It says "When harboring such feelings, we cut ourselves off from the Sunlight of the Spirit. The insanity returns, and we drink. The only "trigger" there is for us alcoholics is the insanity of the first drink, which sets off the craving, the "phenomenon of craving" which Dr. Silkworth explains in the Chapter "The Doctor's Opinion", the overwhelming craving that non-alcoholics don't experience. That's why non-alcoholics can have a few drinks, and walk away. I've been a member of A.A. since 12/25/1991, for what it's worth. Sharing my experience, strength and hope. That's my story and I'm sticking to it 😎

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Hi Rick - Thanks so much for watching and for sharing your E, S & H! Congrats on your sobriety as well!! I apologize for the late response. I'm just catching up!! Appreciate you 🙏

[@lg.breakfree8211]

THANK YOU ♥️ may your life be be full of light & kindness ♥️

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Thank you and the same wish for you.

[@bridinbarrett2935]

You came across so good.im starting the 12 steps so ill be going over this video a few times.once again Thank you for ur channell.im finding it very very helpful.im in recovery from Alochal so im looking forward to looking at more of ur videos.Thank u Bridin.

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Glad you found it helpful.

[@w.m.s.tpodcast2556]

Thank you KJ. I really enjoyed how you explained each process of the Steps and their meaning. I do enjoy working on the steps, because I love working on myself and making me a better person to myself and others.

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Thank you for watching 💜

[@RuthKudzi]

First time to visit your channel and I must say that you're amazing for covering topics like this. I'm not quite familiar with the 12 steps, so this video has been very informative. Thanks. Just subscribed too. :)

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Thank you, Ruth! I am glad you found it informative. I appreciate you watching and for subscribing 💜

[@sachacooper3033]

This video was so informative and awesome. I love how you emphasise both the "god how you perceive him to be" and that these steps are able to be used for anything (food addiction in my case). And you just seem like a great soul too :) THANK YOU HUN! And I have subscribed too.

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Thank you, Sacha. I appreciate your kind words and for watching. I apologize for the delayed response.

[@DRKJFOSTER]

And thanks for subscribing!

[@mkartmkart6335]

I have just discovered your channel :) Thank you again. Very helpful video. I have a belief that recovery isnt to be dealt with alone. These suggestions for steps works only when they are done together with others. God or not... People are helping People. Namaste.

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Welcome! Yes, I agree 💯

[@Alien-Earth1]

Great video...I'll check out the other one! Much Love.

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Awesome! Thank you! Appreciate you watching.

[@SamuelFister]

I was very put off by the 12 steps when I first started recovery, because of, like you said, the "God" aspect. I didn't like that I had to do mental gymnastics to dance around the "Well, replace God with..." or "Think of God rather as...", Ugh... No (he said in addict brain), I know what you're trying to get me to do, and I can quit without church, THANK YOU! Granted, yes, SMART recovery and the clinical approach worked well enough for me, but now as a peer supporter, I find myself revisiting 12 Step with awareness of my addict-brain's distraction tactic. And you know... it works so damn well with my clients, and really does have some bleed-over into other methods, so... well... step 1 is surrender, right? This is a great breakdown. I'll definitely be using my notes from this in my future groups and personal recovery. Thanks for this!

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Hi Sam! Glad you found it helpful.

[@marilufresquez8943]

Hearing you for the first time. Ty

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Welcome, Marilu 🌺 I hope you find some helpful resources to support your recovery.

[@philschreyer5206]

Excellent. Well explained

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Thank you, Phil. Much appreciated. I apologize for my late response. I'm just catching up on my comments.

[@vaporwavevocap]

The whole "putting positivity in the universe" thing AA peddles is pretty corrosive in some ways. My mother's sober now, after going to AA, been a few years. One day I had a medical emergency. She took me to the ER and told the doctors that I was just worrying too much. Saying that I'd be fine, which led them to not take me seriously and think I was just a hypochondriac (despite being told to go to the ER by a doctor of mine). When we left the hospital she said as long as I didn't worry about it, I'd be fine. I didn't get tested for another week because of that, thankfully I did turn out fine, but it wasn't from positivity being put into the universe, it was from getting to a doctor and getting help, taking it seriously. She also totally used step 9 as an excuse not to apologize to anyone. No matter how abusive she was, physically and mentally, she's never apologized to any of the people she's hurt. She's made it clear she has no desire to.

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Hi there - that sounds very strange. It sounds a bit like a Christian Scientist approach of just believing that if you pray then you'll be fine. Just thinking positive is not a strong enough antidote for any true illness. It sounds like she is doing her own version of the Steps or following someone else's distorted perception. The bottom line is that you can't change her but you can learn to change how you respond to her and how you engage with her. That is where your power resides. Thanks for sharing your experience and for watching.

[@vaporwavevocap]

@@DRKJFOSTER I think it's a pretty natural gleam from the concept for the already religious, I'm no Christian myself, but for someone (like my mother) who already believes in the Biblical god, who was in a very desperate place when getting involved with AA, it doesn't surprise me she ended up this way, mix that with the Buddhist concepts she's been delving herself in and basically she's formed a version of a strange Christo-Buddhio Positive Universalism that is acting as a corrosive force in her life and the lives of those she cares about. I'm not saying AA is intentionally causing these things, but I believe a more secular wording could and should be adopted at these organizations, if you must say higher power, it may be better to say something along the lines of "something bigger than myself." Most people who go to AA don't end up like her, but it's not uncommon for members of her AA in specific to have similar beliefs at the end, and it seems to me it varies wildly from AA to AA on what they end up teaching the members and how they end up. While AA is often a force for good, it's not impossible that manipulative (or as it very possibly may be, people who believe they are doing right and do not know they are being manipulative) individuals can exploit these people in their time of need to warp their ideas into their own.

[@jimlawrence2167]

I BEEN IN RECOVERY 14 YRS+HAVE DIPLOMA IN P.C. COUNSELING. SOUNDS LIKE POOR MUM MAY HAVE MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS TOO? STEP 9 SETS US FREE+FEELS GREAT! WHY DISMISS IT IF NOT DELUSIONAL? IVE SEEN THIS "SELF JUSTIFICATION" THINKING OFTEN OVER THE YEARS. WERE NOT BAD PLL TYRING TO GET GOOD-WERE SICK PPL TRYING TO GET WELL. YOUR LIFE,YOUR BODY,YOUR CHOICE,YOUR DOC. NEXT TIME, GO TO DOC OR A+E ALONE MAYBE? STAY POZ.

[@issamkharousi8375]

i loved the video . i have a question .how come in step 5 i share with anyone and it doesn't. have to be my sponsor ? and i will need this person to support in step 6 & 7 . i think working with s sponsor in steps is the golden key for a change. coz by sharing in step 5 what i wrote in step 4 would help both me and my sponsor to work on 6 and 7

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Hi Issam! The reason is because sometimes there will be trust issues. I have a lot of difficulty with trust due to history of betrayal by people close to me. When working with a sponsor it sometimes takes time to trust that person. That is why I chose to share some of my 4th/5th Step with a counselor. I eventually shared everything with my sponsor but it took me some time to feel secure. This, of course, is a personal choice and depends on the circumstances. I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@issamkharousi8375]

@@DRKJFOSTER thank you so much for your replay ,and I think step 2 is so important and it takes time to believe that this power is going to help you.

[@OisinHendriX]

I really agree, in that I believe in the community as a higher power, people like you on KZbin and the power of human communication and connection to rewrite our lives and minds - if we together can be God then it's easy to believe in God as a 7 billion headed beast who's looking out for us all. That's what I hear when I hear God

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Hi Oisin! Glad you could identify and that you have identified a conceptualizaiton that works for you. Thats what truly matters!

[@PMW442]

Do you have an email address I could send a note to? I think your videos are incredible and you're helping alot of people. Thank you for all you do.

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Hi Paul - Thank you. I'm glad you are finding my videos to be helpful. My email address is [e-mail]

[@nicholascassenti8801]

Thank You

[@DRKJFOSTER]

You're welcome

[@emberclad8679]

No human power could have relieved our alcoholism.

[@leoXonit]

Very nice I hear it better 🏆on your video however, the meetings have poor audio but the sponsor is direct one on one love that but he's gone now. I think hearing one on one is best not just being there pondering in wonder

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Hi Leonard - Thanks for watching! I apologize for the late response. Just seeing your comment now.

[@lionheart9692]

So basically you made your own steps to suit you, sounds fair enough as we are all unique and different

[@MohanRaj-sq1mu]

Nice

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Thanks

[@miguelpalacios6418]

I'm on step 4

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Good luck, Miguel. Thanks for watching.

[@shanthilal6555]

I really appreciate you are explaining AA twelve steps.. But step 4 is explained wrongly.. Which is very important steps.. From step 4 the real program starts.. Please speak to your sponsor to teach you properly... There is no liability and asset in step 4...

[@keithokun9125]

THERE IS ONE WHO HAS ALL POWER

[@DRKJFOSTER]

💯

[@laurapeterson1732]

Finally a woman ! First 10 videos are dudes. Thank you.

[@DRKJFOSTER]

You're welcome!

[@garethaaron7677]

VERY TRUE DR.

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Thank you for watching 💜

[@johnkenny694]

You do all the steps, you will end up back at step 1.Fake it til you make it!!

[@DRKJFOSTER]

💯

[@justvisi]

Have you helped anyon?

[@bvmheart]

✝️"Fr. Fred And The Twelve Steps" book

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Yes, Fr. Martin was wonderful.

[@cycleofgrowth3202]

Shame, guilt, conformity, and the teaching of cult mentality. I was deeply involved in the 12 steps for 18 months. After my suicide attempt I knew the program was killing me. I left and my life almost immediately improved overnight. Ultimately it's just another place to hide from life. Another addiction. Be very cautious and skeptical. I wasn't, and almost died.

[@DRKJFOSTER]

I'm sorry you had such an unpleasant experience. Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@Bigpoppashockcolla]

I never understood why you have to ask God to solve ones problems and not find or make a way for yourself to overcome. Never understood and was always disturbed what was so bad about inner strength and emotional independence. Especially in the case of addiction. You're just substituting a substance for a "God". I dont understand why it has to be that complicated.

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Hi Lucas - I can appreciate your confusion. I think many people over-complicate the idea of "God."

[@bvmheart]

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS ISN'T GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS NOR OTHER TWELVE STEP PROGRAMS, WHO AREN'T ALCOHOLICS

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Thanks for watching and sharing your perspective.

[@lizparsons9558]

Yes you are earning money you need a thousand subscribers to start earning money and 4000 watch hours so I'm pretty sure you're you're on your way 12-step groups are free free free free That's all folks

[@DRKJFOSTER]

💜 This video is Free. Noone pays to watch any of my videos. I offer free daily recovery meetings and many other free services. You are way off base here, Liz.

[@LissethA-uu7on]

A higher power? Why not say God? There is A God and people are afraid to say it! Why? You’re afraid to insult someone because this wold is corrupted! The Lord Almighty Jesus has helped me conquered this addiction. He, and He alone has saved me and I give this testimony… thank you for all the information… and if you know deep in your heart that God exist tell Him, you believe in His word and read the Bible but ask for His guidance… He loves all of us and He wants you to come to him on your own will! So we don’t be condemned to the fire of hell!!!

[@DRKJFOSTER]

I have my own beliefs and don't attempt to impose them on others. Glad your belief has worked for you.

[@LissethA-uu7on]

@@DRKJFOSTER I sincerely respect that! Sorry did not mean to sound so rude! Thank you for what you do! 🙏

[@EvilPanda187]

Let us begin again…sigh

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Successful recovery typically involves periods of relapse. You are back on track again, that's what matters. You got this!!

[@koldonn1111]

All 12 steps are fully automatic shotgun fire.

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Not sure what you mean?

[@koldonn1111]

@@DRKJFOSTER Thos is what I got searching for "AA 12" Which there just to happens to also be a fully automatic shotgun under the same name.

[@brianna094]

@@koldonn1111 Thank you for your insightful contribution, Koldonn.

[@bvmheart]

YOU ARR COMPLETELY WRONG TEACHING WHAT IS FOR ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS MEMBERS WITH THE DISEASE OF ALCOHOLISM...ALCOHOLICS DONT TELL ANYONE, THEY SHARE EXPERIENCE STRENGTH AND HOPE WITH ALCOHOLICS... Dr. Bob Smith was Twelve Stepped by Co-Founder Bill W., who wrote the Twelve & Twelve to give a greater spiritual experience, over a decade after Original 100 drunks 1939...Big Book

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Thanks again for sharing your perspective.

[@ronaldcarter7868]

Wow... It is way too important to her to make sure we all understand the higher power isn't the God of the Bible. AA is for everyone and people like her run Christians off by being too Anti God.

[@DRKJFOSTER]

lol... you clearly don't know me. And I always find it interesting when people make comments on my videos as if they are speaking to a third party and not speaking to me directly. Ronald - AA is a spiritual program and defining it as a Christian program is actually what runs people off, typically not the other way around. You may want to check out another one of my channels called Lotus Prayer and Meditation. It may surprise you. Wishing you peace and blessings 🙏

[@ronaldcarter7868]

@@DRKJFOSTER I apologize for jumping to the wrong conclusion. I've been experiencing a lot of anti-christian sentiments lately from society as a whole and I took it out on you wrongly. I'm sorry. Thank you for working to help us recover from addiction.

[@JoyElectric567]

Don't try to exuse the aspect about God

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Agreed! Sorry if it came off that way. Appreciate you watching.

[@joannelarose8198]

I don't agree.

[@DRKJFOSTER]

okay

[@TerryOrmsby]

Hello Dr Foster im Terry Ormsby from Tauranga Moana Napier New Zealand how are you if you don't mind me asking wat is your first name n wat does LMHC.CAP mean please as I'm in the process of doing my inventory of the 12 steps step four at the moment which i know is going to take a while as im in no hurry started back in March Loved your commentary im 154 days sober longest I've ever been kind regards Terry Ormsby 👍

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Hi Terry! Congratulations on choosing a healthier lifestyle. My first name is Karrol-Jo and LMHC stands for Licensed Mental Health Counselor and CAP stands for Certified Addiction Professional. I also have a PhD in Counseling. Wishing you much continued success on your journey and glad you are finding the videos helpful.

[@gorgeousnoxy481]

As a staunch atheist who has been this way for decades, it is extremely difficult to even think about doing these programs because it just feels like one big advertisement for Christianity and like people are trying to manipulate me into accepting their belief system through basically mind rape. And I know the R word is particularly egregious word to use, but it conveys exactly how I feel about interacting with people who try to covertly implant their ideals into me subliminally. It's obnoxious to an extreme level and I would say almost harder to deal with in a way than even quitting the substance one is trying to quit. You talked about insanity in this video. For people like me you have to realize that religious people are insane from my perspective. And this makes these kinds of programs unappealing in another way because it just feels like the blind leading the blind. Sort of like how can you help me when you haven't even helped yourself out of the mental prison of your own dogma? It very much makes me severely question someones qualification if they start to turn to mysticism for answers instead of empirical data or proven behavioral improvement methods like cognitive behavioral therapy.

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Sounds like you would like a program like Smart Recovery or Lifering. They are both non-secular groups.

[@bvmheart]

✝️"Fr. Fred And The Twelve Steps" book

[@DRKJFOSTER]

Father Martin was a great inspiration.