Taking AA's 12 steps are a “suggested”, but not required, “program of recovery”—also called a “spiritual solution”. They start with members admitting to being “powerless over alcohol” (which the Big Book calls an “Illness” or “malady”, but never a “disease’’), and out of control—for which on going divining and following the will an unspecified 'higher power' (“God, as we understood Him”) could restore them to “sanity”. In the steps members acknowledge and make amends and seek to correct personal character defects aided by their higher power for guidance. Those “having achieved a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps” are suggested to carry AA's message to other alcoholics. This is often done through meetings of AA groups as well as with members taking on sponsees, although the Big Book makes no mention of the latter term. While taking care to avoid becoming affiliated, some AA members perform outreach to hospitals, treatment centers and correctional facilities.
Taking AA's 12 steps are a “suggested”, but not required, “program of recovery”—also called a “spiritual solution”. They start with members admitting to being “powerless over alcohol” (which the Big Book calls an “Illness” or “malady”, but never a “disease’’), and out of control—for which on going divining and following the will an unspecified 'higher power' (“God, as we understood Him”) could restore them to “sanity”. In the steps members acknowledge and make amends and seek to correct personal character defects aided by their higher power for guidance. Those “having achieved a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps” are suggested to carry AA's message to other alcoholics. This is often done through meetings of AA groups as well as with members taking on sponsees, although the Big Book makes no mention of the latter term. While taking care to avoid becoming affiliated, some AA members perform outreach to hospitals, treatment centers and correctional facilities.