Step 5 Worksheet with Questions

In the 12-step programA 12 step program includes 12 steps of recovery to help those struggling with substance addictions or behavioral addictions. The 12 steps are also used in programs dedicated to helping loved ones of addicts. 12 step programs include 12 step meetings where members go to share their experience strengt… More, step 5 involves admitting to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. This step is critical for breaking the cycle of shameFeelings of shame and inadequacy often contribute both to the onset of addiction and its continuation. Addicts also often commit immoral acts, leading to further shame. This leads to a destructive shame-addiction cycle. Breaking the cycle is one of the keys to recovery. More and addiction and is a powerful tool for achieving spiritual and emotional liberation.

Understanding Step 5

Admitting our wrongs to ourselves can be a difficult process and admitting them to another person can be even more challenging. As human beings, we are protective of our egos and seek to inflate them by avoiding anything that deflates them. However, in step 5, we are forced in the other direction, to confront our flaws and misdeeds and to share them with others.

The purpose of step 5 is to create an honest and open relationship with our Higher Power12-step programs greatly stress surrender to and daily communication with a Higher Power. Having trust in something greater than yourself is considered essential for returning sanity in the unmanageable life of an addict. This can be a traditional deity, a spiritual entity or a social one such as th… More. We need to admit the extent of our shortcomings and unacceptable behavior without minimizing or exaggerating. We do not do so to petition our Higher Power into providing us with a serviceAA and other 12-step fellowships do not normally have employees. Instead, members volunteer and take roles necessary for the operation of the different groups and the larger infrastructure of the fellowship. Common roles of service include secretary, treasurer, and chairing meetings. More of any kind, but rather to establish a healthier spiritual life.

Admitting our wrongs to God may sound simple, but it involves a complicated spiritual process. We need to focus on giving our Higher Power an unvarnished look at ourselves without claiming to hear or carry a spiritual message yet. We need to establish a full and healthy relationship with our Higher Power, which awaits us in the later stages of the programThis refers to any official course of treatment for addiction. This could be anything from in-patient facilities, to 12-step programs to harm-reduction programs. More.

Admitting our wrongs to another human being can be challenging, but it is a crucial step towards overcoming shame. Once another person has been exposed to all of our secrets and still accepts us, the power of shame in our lives diminishes. It is an important part of the process by which we understand that, despite our flaws, we deserve to be happy.

How to Work Step 5

To work step 5, we need to follow the guidelines outlined in the previous stepsThe term “12 steps” refers to the core principles of the approach to addiction exemplified by Alcoholics Anonymous and other similar groups. The 12 steps are a set of guidelines designed to help individuals overcome addiction and rebuild their lives. They were created by the founders of Alcoholics A… More. We need to conduct a searching and fearless moral inventoryStep 4 recommends the addict conduct “a searching and fearless moral inventory.” This involves coming to terms with the flaws which preceded addiction and those that came as a result of it. More in step 4, which involves coming to terms with the flaws that preceded addiction and those that came because of it.

Once we have completed our moral inventory, we need to share it with another person, preferably someone with experience in struggling with addiction, who will not think less of us because of our experiences. Our sponsorAn individual in a 12-step program requires a sponsor to help them work the steps and hold them accountable for their recovery. The sponsor should be readily available when help is needed. A member with a sponsor is considered to be the sponsee. More is the natural and most obvious choice, but if we prefer another individual, that is fine too. We need to make the account we give to our Higher Power and a trusted person as complete as possible and not keep particularly painful or humiliating recollections to ourselves.

It is important to remember that this is not a stage when we should be dealing with judgment and other people belittling us and increasing our toxic sense of shame. We may have to deal with unfriendly responses in later steps, but we are not there yet.

Many people report an all-encompassing sense of freedom achieved as the baggage of shame is lifted from them. We need to build on this sense of liberation to maintain our recoveryThe process by which addicts attempt to break the hold a certain substance or behavior has on their lives. This can refer to participation in a wide variety of methods. What they all have in common, is a sense that life is improving and the addict is regaining control. More and well-being. We need to continue to examine our faults honestly and completely throughout this process and, if necessary, go back to the inventory of our flaws and misdeeds again fearlessly before proceeding with the next step.

Focus of step 5: Now that we have a better idea of who we are and how our flaws have led us astray, it is time to share those insights with others. The 12-step program believes that recovery is only possible with support: from your sponsor, your group, and your Higher Power. In these questions, we focus on the task at hand: the development of honest and genuine relationships with others.

Step 5 Questions

Have you lost an important relationship due to your addiction? Does that make it difficult to discuss it with other people?

Losing important relationships due to addiction is a common occurrence. It can be challenging to discuss this loss with others, especially when it involves admitting to past mistakes and harmful behaviors. Have you lost a relationship due to your addiction? How has this loss affected you? Do you find it difficult to talk about it with others?

Has anyone pleasantly surprised you by always being there for you? How has that influenced your recovery?

Recovery can be a lonely journey, and having someone who consistently supports and encourages us can make all the difference. Has anyone pleasantly surprised you by always being there for you? How has their support influenced your recovery?

Some people have practiced “tough loveThe intervention technique known as “Tough Love” is being straight and forceful with a person who is battling addiction. This method is predicated on the idea that, in order to recognize the truth of their addiction and accept responsibility for their recovery, they must confront the consequences of… More” with you during your addiction and recovery. Others have taken a softer approach. Which helped you more?

People respond to addiction and recovery in different ways. Some individuals may use a tough love approach, while others may take a softer, more compassionate approach. Which approach has helped you more? Have you had experience with both approaches? How did they affect you?

What have you learned from your sponsor? What would you change about them?

Sponsors play a critical role in the 12-step recovery process. They are individuals who guide and support us through the program. What have you learned from your sponsor? Have they been helpful to you? Is there anything you would change about them?

Do you fear sharing12-step meetings are structured so that member sharing takes up most of the allotted time. It is the bread and butter of the fellowship between members. When sharing, addicts are encouraged to stay on topic and avoid interrupting by engaging in crosstalk. More your fifth step with another individual? What is the worst thing that can happen?

Sharing our deepest and darkest secrets with another individual can be a scary and intimidating prospect. Do you fear sharing your fifth step with another individual? What is the worst thing that can happen? How can you prepare yourself for this step?

When you share your fifth step with your Higher Power, what do you feel? Do you get a sense of the response of your Higher Power to your efforts?

The relationship with a Higher Power is a crucial aspect of the 12-step program. When you share your fifth step with your Higher Power, what do you feel? Do you get a sense of the response of your Higher Power to your efforts? How can this relationship help you on your journey to recovery?

Once you have shared, write down what the experience was like. Were your fears overblown? Are you glad you did this?

Sharing our fifth step can be a transformative experience. Once you have shared, write down what the experience was like. Were your fears overblown? Were you able to let go of some of the shame and guilt you were carrying? Are you glad you did this step?

Do you feel ready to share with other people, or are you happy to leave it as is?

Sharing our fifth step with another person can be a challenging decision. Do you feel ready to share with other people, or are you happy to leave it as is? What factors are influencing your decision? How can you prepare yourself to take this step if you feel ready?

How step 5 helps us recover: Now that we understand our wrongs and have seen what others think of our behavior, we are ready to work towards their removal. However, we are now humble enough to understand that we cannot do this on our own. Read more about step 5 & the importance of admitting out wrongs.

Read more about step 5.