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The Alcoholic Addict and Step Six

“Were entirely ready to have god remove all these defects of character.”

“We have emphasized willingness as being indispensable. Are we now ready to let god remove from us all the things which we have admitted were objectionable? Can he now take them all- every one? If we still cling to something we will not let go, we ask god to help us be willing.” Into Action pg 76 from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.

When we first came to Alcoholic Anonymous we were full of character defects and short comings. We were out right mental defectives and we did not know that we did not know. however there were some character defects which we were unwilling when we got to step 6 to let go of, because they still worked for us in the sense that lying, manipulation, as well as other character defects might still be working it still might be used as a means to get what one wants and self preservation. However the defects that we felt like we had to hang on to was simply based off of fear. This is why we have to pray for willingness. In Step 6 we end up making a conscience decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of god again as we did in step 3. When we finally realize the defects no longer work for us and the lifestyle we’ve chose to live, we are then willing to be rid of them fully and to start working towards an altruistic movement. Like it says in the big book. “We feel, after many years of experience, that we have found nothing which has contributed more to the rehabilitation of these men than the altruistic movement now growing up among them.” How can we get to that place one might ask…after all we weren’t the poster children for selfless acts and we were ridden with short comings. There are several helpful establishments that exist for the sole purpose of helping alcoholics get to an altruistic place and recover such as; drug addiction detox, AA, 30 day rehab programs, NA, or a California alcohol rehab. It’s not easy changing everything and turning your life around, but once you clean your wreckage up and get closer to being the person you want to be you will find a new happiness and a fulfilling life awaits you.

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