04-14-2025, 04:15 PM
(This post was last modified: 04-14-2025, 04:17 PM by soloadmin.
Edit Reason: terminology
)
Revised Step 5
"We openly shared our self-assessment and list of harms done, including thoughts, feelings, behaviors, contributing factors, and destructive actions, with a trusted person, fostering accountability and connection."
? Meaning and Breakdown
This expands the original Step 5:
"Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs."
This version emphasizes truth-telling, context, and connection. Let’s break it down:
✅ "We openly shared our self-assessment and list of harms done..."
- You’ve written your inventory — now you speak it.
- This is a courageous act of vulnerability and truth.
How to do it: Find someone safe and wise. Read your Step 4 aloud, uncensored.
✅ "...including thoughts, feelings, behaviors, contributing factors, and destructive actions..."
- This isn’t just a list of mistakes. It’s a full picture of what was going on internally and externally.
How to do it: Talk about how you felt, what you believed, what triggered you, and what you regret.
✅ "...with a trusted person, fostering accountability and connection."
- This is not just confession — it’s bonding.
- The right person offers support and insight, not judgment.
How to do it: Choose a mentor, counselor, spiritual guide, or trusted peer who understands recovery.
? How to Practice This Step
⚠️ Key Insights
❤️ Final Thought
This step is where transformation begins. It’s not about guilt — it’s about being real with another person, breaking isolation, and allowing the truth to set you free. Courage lives here. So does connection.
"We openly shared our self-assessment and list of harms done, including thoughts, feelings, behaviors, contributing factors, and destructive actions, with a trusted person, fostering accountability and connection."
? Meaning and Breakdown
This expands the original Step 5:
"Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs."
This version emphasizes truth-telling, context, and connection. Let’s break it down:
✅ "We openly shared our self-assessment and list of harms done..."
- You’ve written your inventory — now you speak it.
- This is a courageous act of vulnerability and truth.
How to do it: Find someone safe and wise. Read your Step 4 aloud, uncensored.
✅ "...including thoughts, feelings, behaviors, contributing factors, and destructive actions..."
- This isn’t just a list of mistakes. It’s a full picture of what was going on internally and externally.
How to do it: Talk about how you felt, what you believed, what triggered you, and what you regret.
✅ "...with a trusted person, fostering accountability and connection."
- This is not just confession — it’s bonding.
- The right person offers support and insight, not judgment.
How to do it: Choose a mentor, counselor, spiritual guide, or trusted peer who understands recovery.
? How to Practice This Step
- Choose Someone Safe: They should be supportive and nonjudgmental.
- Be Prepared: Give yourself space and time. Don’t rush.
- Say It All: Don’t hold back. Speak what you wrote in Step 4.
- Include Emotions: Talk about the why — not just the what.
- Allow for Connection: This is a moment of deep honesty. Let it change you.
⚠️ Key Insights
- This Step Shatters Shame: Secrets lose power when spoken aloud.
- Judgment Isn’t the Goal: The right person will help you process, not punish.
- Connection Heals: Being truly seen is one of the most powerful recovery experiences.
❤️ Final Thought
This step is where transformation begins. It’s not about guilt — it’s about being real with another person, breaking isolation, and allowing the truth to set you free. Courage lives here. So does connection.
-James, Forum Admin and Founder of SoberLogic 
Please PM me with any private questions or feedback you may have!
Please PM me with any private questions or feedback you may have!