Step Six Introduction

[soloadmin]

Revised Step 6
"We became willing to recognize, challenge, and modify negative and unhelpful thoughts, emotions, and behaviors perpetuating our substance use, re-aligning our thoughts, actions, and overall self-image with our personal understanding of growth, compassion, and forgiveness."

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? Meaning and Breakdown
The original Step 6 reads:
"Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character."

This modern version reframes that with clarity, self-awareness, and compassion. Let’s break it down:

✅ "We became willing to recognize, challenge, and modify..."
- The key word is willing. You don’t need to be perfect — just open.
- It’s about observing and interrupting harmful inner patterns.

How to do it: Notice automatic thoughts and emotions. Pause. Ask, “Is this helpful?” Practice new responses.

✅ "...negative and unhelpful thoughts, emotions, and behaviors perpetuating our substance use..."
- This is the internal engine of addiction — beliefs, fears, and triggers.
- You’re targeting what feeds the cycle.

How to do it: Track your patterns. Look for the moments when old stories lead to harmful choices.

✅ "...re-aligning our thoughts, actions, and overall self-image with our personal understanding of growth, compassion, and forgiveness."
- This is healing in action.
- You’re becoming someone who lives in harmony with their own values.

How to do it: Define your core values. Rehearse thoughts and behaviors that reflect them — even before they feel natural.

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? How to Practice This Step

1. Start with Willingness: You don’t need to be ready for everything — just open to try.
   
2. Watch Your Inner World: Pay attention to recurring thoughts and emotional patterns.
   
3. Challenge Unhelpful Narratives: Question the beliefs that keep you stuck.
   
4. Try Healthier Habits: Practice new ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving.
   
5. Let Your Values Guide You: Return to growth, compassion, and forgiveness — again and again.
   

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⚠️ Key Insights

• You’re Not Broken: You’re rewiring old survival strategies.
  
• Readiness is Powerful: Willingness is the seed of transformation.
  
• Alignment = Integrity: You’re learning to live from the inside out.
  

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❤️ Final Thought
Step 6 is where the inner shift begins. You’re becoming someone who lives in alignment with their true self — not the wounded past. Be willing. Be curious. Be kind. That’s the path to change.