The Importance of Step 11 in AA

 

Alcoholics Anonymous is well-known for its 12-Step Program.

While this program was originally geared towards helping alcoholics achieve sobriety, it has since been expanded to treat a variety of substance abuse disorders. Now, different rehab centers across the nation are utilizing this method in their addiction treatment, including our faith-based drug and alcohol treatment center. The AA’s 12-Step Program focuses on the spiritual aspects of addiction as well as the physical. Substance abuse affects every area of a person’s life, and their addiction treatment should address each facet of this disease. While each step of this program is important, step 11 in Alcoholics Anonymous is especially beneficial.

What is Step 11 in AA and How Does it Contribute to Spiritual Awareness?

Step 11 of Alcoholics Anonymous focuses on prayer and meditation. The 11th step is written as follows, '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.' The importance of step 11 in AA is based on its focus, which is reaching out to God and accepting that he has a plan for your life. During this phase of the program, members are encouraged to not only communicate through prayer but also to engage deeply with meditation.

Meditation in this step involves a deliberate and reflective thought process, where one ponders over their personal journey and seeks a clearer understanding of their spiritual path. It's about engaging in contemplation or reflection to reach a heightened level of spiritual awareness. By focusing one's thoughts, meditating allows individuals to explore their inner self and their relationship with God, fostering a tranquil and intimate conversation with the divine.

This reflective practice complements prayer beautifully, enhancing the individual’s relationship with God. While many people try to rely on themselves to stay successful in recovery, this program encourages addicts in recovery to lean on God for strength during a difficult time. It’s easy to get caught up in trying to do everything yourself. Sometimes it takes reaching out and asking for help to find the strength to carry on. Moreover, through meditation, members of AA develop an intuitive understanding of how to better serve the God of their understanding and how to bring others into this fellowship of men and women. Meditation thus becomes not just a method for personal growth, but also a way to foster community and shared spiritual goals.

There are many prayers that can be used in recovery, like the St. Francis of Assisi Prayer. However, the silent, reflective time spent in meditation also holds substantial value, offering a pathway to truly experience and implement the ideals expressed in these prayers.

How am I showing my commitment to working the 11th Step in my recovery?

In demonstrating my dedication to working the 11th Step in my recovery journey, I am recognizing the importance of nurturing and balancing the three integral components of my being: the body, the mind, and the spirit. Just as a three-legged stool requires all legs to be equally strong to provide stability, my commitment to recovery involves tending to each of these aspects to ensure my overall well-being and spiritual growth. By actively engaging in practices that nourish my physical, mental, and spiritual health, I am fostering a holistic approach to my recovery that acknowledges and values the interconnectedness of these elements within myself. Through this balanced and comprehensive approach, I am demonstrating my steadfast commitment to working the 11th Step in my ongoing journey of spiritual awakening and personal growth.

Applying AA Step 11 to Addiction Recovery

While the concept is understandable, you may not know how to apply the 11th step of AA in recovery. Below are a few ways you can incorporate the 11th step of AA in your addiction recovery.

Set Time Aside to Pray

Setting time aside to pray every day will ensure that you actually do it. Many of us have busy lives, and we can easily get caught up in other things and forget taking care of ourselves. Try to pick a time of the day where you can be alone and pray. If you have any other distractions, you may not reap the benefits of this practice.

Journal

Prayer can take on many forms. You don’t have to be on your knees to pray. The important thing is to truly disconnect from everything else and focus on having a conversation with God. Journaling is a great form of prayer; it can help you organize your thoughts and write out things that may be difficult to say out loud. You can also look back on the entries in the future to see how you’ve changed during recovery.

Don’t Set a Time Limit

While setting aside the time to pray is important, the duration of the prayer isn’t set in stone. As long as you’re truly focused on speaking to God, then you’re okay. Your prayer doesn’t have to be an hour long, it just has to be genuine.

Receive Additional Treatment

While prayer is important in the recovery journey, additional help may be needed to heal from all the aspects of substance abuse. At Faith in Recovery, we offer a variety of programs, including our Christian residential treatment. The spiritual, mental, and physical factors of addiction should each be addressed to ensure a successful recovery and long-lasting sobriety.

As a faith-based rehab in Pompano Beach, we understand the importance of step 11 in Alcoholics Anonymous. We encourage all of our patients to pray and build a relationship with God, not only for the duration of their treatment, but throughout their everyday lives after rehab.

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If you or someone you know is battling with substance abuse, help is just a phone call away. Call now at 888-280-4763 for more information about our unique therapies and programs.

Sources:

• AA- Step Eleven