The 12 Steps in the Big Book
The Twelve Steps are printed on pages 59–60 of Alcoholics Anonymous (the Big Book), 4th Edition. Here is each Step exactly as the book states it, the pages where its instructions live, and a link that opens the free Big Book reader at that page — no account needed.
We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.
Stated on page 59. The problem it names fills pages xxv–43: The Doctor's Opinion, Bill's Story, There Is a Solution, and More About Alcoholism.
Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Stated on page 59. Worked through We Agnostics, pages 44–57.
Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
Stated on page 59. Instructions on pages 60–63; the Third Step Prayer is on page 63.
Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Stated on page 59. Inventory instructions on pages 64–71, with the resentment grid on page 65.
Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
Stated on page 59. Instructions on pages 72–75 in Into Action.
Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
Stated on page 59. Taken on pages 75–76 in Into Action.
Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
Stated on page 59. The Seventh Step Prayer is on page 76.
Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
Stated on page 59. Instructions on pages 76–77.
Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Stated on page 59. Instructions on pages 76–83; the Promises follow on pages 83–84.
Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
Stated on page 59. Instructions on pages 84–85.
Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
Stated on page 59. Instructions on pages 85–88, including the nightly review on page 86.
Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
Stated on page 60. Working With Others, pages 89–103, is the Step Twelve chapter.
The Twelve Steps are reprinted from Alcoholics Anonymous (the Big Book), 4th Edition, © Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. This page is an independent reference — not official AA literature and not medical advice. Page references are to the 4th Edition. If you're in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).