Ten things. Today.

What are you grateful for today? Small things count. Start wherever you can; you do not have to fill every space.

Stay connected.

Choose a sponsor, peer support specialist, or recovery buddy you can commit to contacting each day. Agree together on a good time and way to connect.

The Twelve Steps

A plain-language review for recovery from alcohol, drugs, or other addictions. These are original summaries, not official fellowship wording. Explore them with a sponsor or trusted recovery support.

1. Honesty

   Recognize that addiction has become beyond your control and that life has become unmanageable.

   Reflect: Where do I need help today?

2. Hope

   Become open to a power greater than yourself that can help restore clarity and balance.

   Reflect: What helps me believe change is possible?

3. Trust

   Decide to turn your will and your life over to the care of a higher power as you understand it.

   Reflect: What can I stop trying to control?

4. Inventory

   Take a searching, honest look at your actions, fears, resentments, strengths, and patterns.

   Reflect: What pattern am I ready to look at honestly?

5. Openness

   Acknowledge the truth of your inventory to yourself, your higher power, and another trusted person.

   Reflect: Who can help me speak honestly without hiding?

6. Willingness

   Become willing to let go of character patterns that cause harm or keep you stuck.

   Reflect: What am I willing to change?

7. Humility

   Humbly ask your higher power for help with those shortcomings, and practice a different response.

   Reflect: Where can I ask for help instead of acting alone?

8. Responsibility

   Identify people you have harmed and become willing to make amends.

   Reflect: What responsibility is mine to accept?

9. Amends

   Make direct amends where possible, except when doing so would harm that person or someone else. Work with a sponsor to consider safety and timing.

   Reflect: What would a thoughtful, responsible repair require?

10. Daily inventory

    Continue reviewing your actions and promptly acknowledge mistakes.

    Reflect: What went well today, and what needs repair?

11. Prayer & meditation

    Use prayer and meditation to deepen connection with your higher power, seeking guidance and the strength to act on it.

    Reflect: How can I make room for quiet and guidance today?

12. Service

    Carry the message of recovery to others and practice these principles in every part of life.

    Reflect: How can I offer support and live these principles today?

Recovery library

A place for recovery, mental health, and family support.

Links open the publisher or resource provider in a new tab. Recordings and readings remain on their original websites. YouTube search results are not reviewed or endorsed by ICGH.

Find your people.

Explore in-person and online recovery communities. Confirm meeting details with the organizer.

Connect with care.

For yourself, someone you love, or someone you are helping. Call our team to discuss the next step.

Reach someone now.

You do not have to wait until things feel worse to reach out.