What is Step Seven of Alcoholics Anonymous
Welcome to the 7th Step of Alcoholics Anonymous. Step 7 marks a turning point in the spiritual journey of recovery. This step reads: “Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.” It may appear simple at first glance, but it involves a profound inner transformation that requires humility, vulnerability, and a sincere desire for change.
In Step 6, AA members identify these shortcomings (also known as character defects) and become ready to let go of them. However, in Step 7, they take the crucial next step of asking for help to remove them. This process involves recognizing that, while we may desire to change, we cannot always do so alone. In this article, we’ll explore Step 7’s essence, significance in the recovery process, and how humility plays a central role.
Breaking Down Step Seven
Step Seven asks members to humbly request the removal of their shortcomings, which are often behaviors, attitudes, or habits that have been deeply ingrained for years. The word “humbly” is central here. This is not just a casual or self-serving request for a better life but a humble appeal for growth and transformation.
In The Twelve Steps and Traditions, Bill Wilson explains: “The chief activator of our defects has been self-centered fear—primarily fear that we would lose something we already possessed or fail to get something we demanded. Living upon unsatisfied demands, we were in continual disturbance and frustration” (p. 76).
In this sense, the root of many of our shortcomings lies in self-centeredness, and the 7th is about surrendering that selfishness. It invites us to let go of the illusion of control and trust in a higher power, whatever that may mean for each individual.
The Role of Humility
Humility, as defined in the Cambridge Dictionary, is the quality of not being proud because you are aware of your bad qualities.” Humility, as Step Seven outlines, isn’t about being self-degrading or fostering a feeling of being worthless.
Instead, it’s about recognizing that we are human, imperfect, and need help. We reach a recovery point where we acknowledge that our will and efforts alone are insufficient for sustained change. In AA’s understanding, humility is accepting reality: we are not all-powerful and cannot control everything independently.
By humbling ourselves before a Higher Power, we begin to relinquish the false sense of control that contributed to our addiction. Wilson emphasizes that it is through humility that real change can happen, writing, “Indeed, the attainment of greater humility is the foundation of all spiritual progress.”
Bill Wilson was keen on this topic and also noted, “The whole emphasis of Step Seven is on humility. It is saying to us that we now ought to be willing to try humility in seeking the removal of our other shortcomings, just as we did when we admitted that we were powerless over alcohol and came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”
In Stoicism, humility is a crucial virtue, though the term itself may not always be explicitly used. For the Stoics, humility is closely tied to recognizing control limits and understanding one’s place in the larger scheme of things.
Marcus Aurelius emphasizes we must “Keep reminding yourself of how small a part you play in the grand scheme of things.” He recognized that we are just one small piece in the vastness of the universe, and as such, we should not become overly attached to our ego, status, or achievements. As a reminder, he was an Emperor, so imagine the challenges of keeping his ego in check with that kind of power!
True humility allows people in recovery to open themselves to the idea of a power greater than themselves. We acknowledge that we cannot do it alone by subduing our pride and humbly asking this higher power to remove our character defects.
Why Humility is Challenging
For many individuals struggling with substance abuse, the idea of humility can be foreign and uncomfortable. Alcoholism and addiction are often characterized by control and ego—an inflated sense of self-worth or, conversely, deep self-loathing masked by bravado.
One of the critical mechanisms the ego uses to establish self-worth is the comparison with others. This can often play a role in denial, which keeps some of us from getting sober in the first place. By noting, I am not as bad as that person, so I cannot be an alcoholic is not an uncommon thought.
The same goes for comparing income levels, material possessions, relationships, and other items. Depending on how we spin it, we can exaggerate our self-worth or self-loathing. Humility stands in stark contrast to these defense mechanisms.
Wilson explains the importance of embracing humility in The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions: “The attainment of greater humility is the foundation principle of AA’s Twelve Steps. For without some degree of humility, no alcoholic can stay sober at all” (p. 70).
What Are “Shortcomings”?
Shortcomings refer to character defects or flaws that contribute to destructive behaviors. They are deep-seated habits, fears, resentments, or attitudes that have often been built up over a lifetime. In the context of AA, they may include pride, anger, resentment, selfishness, and fear.
These are often the underlying issues that fuel addictive behaviors. These behaviors are not just personal flaws; they usually feed addiction by creating emotional turmoil and blocking the path to sobriety. For example, someone may struggle with controlling anger because it has been their default reaction to stress.
Removing these shortcomings is critical in improving our sobriety and the quality of our lives. As in the example above, if we do not deal with our anger issues, we can quickly revert to drinking in the belief it will help us manage stress.
The Stoics believed that moral development involved identifying and working to remove vices and shortcomings. For them, these shortcomings (or character defects) were rooted in irrational desires, passions, and impulses that prevented us from living virtuously. The ultimate goal for the Stoics was to live by nature and reason, which required removing these irrational tendencies.
Many people in recovery have spent years struggling with feelings of shame and guilt. These emotions can drive a person to drink or use drugs to numb the pain. However, instead of covering up those feelings in Step Seven, we face them head-on by humbly asking for our shortcomings that contribute to these feelings to be removed.
By the time someone reaches Step Seven, they have already acknowledged their wrongdoings in Step Four (the moral inventory) and shared these with another person in Step Five (link Step 5). Now, the focus shifts from mere acknowledgment to seeking transformation. The goal is not perfection but progress—becoming the best version of ourselves by shedding the flaws that hold us back.
The Spiritual Dimension
The Seventh Step involves taking action to address our defects. However, unlike some other steps, the action here is spiritual. It requires humility and a deep understanding that removing these shortcomings is beyond human control. Instead, it asks for help from a higher power.
At the core of Step 7 is the idea of surrendering to a Higher Power. This may seem daunting, especially for individuals who struggle with faith or spirituality. In previous steps, we discussed the importance of a higher power, but a short recap is helpful here. Bill W puts it bluntly: “We must find a spiritual basis of living, else we die” (Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 44). While AA uses the term “God,” it is essential to note that this can mean different things to different people. The concept of a higher power is left open to individual interpretation, allowing flexibility in how people approach this step.
There are many stories in the Big Book and other AA literature where people have raged against the idea of spirituality in the program. In most of these stories, we see a maturity of these views as they remain sober or return to the bottles as they see the benefits of this spirituality to others in the fellowship. Define it and build it as you please, but developing the concept of a higher power is critical, for most, to long-term sobriety.
Step Seven represents a pivotal moment in our growth, where members acknowledge their shortcomings and place their trust in something greater than themselves to remove them. In practice, asking for the removal of our shortcomings means surrendering control. It involves trust that we can become better versions of ourselves through recovery and the support of a higher power.
Action and Reflection
Step Seven is not about passively waiting for change. It involves consistent action and reflection. Members are encouraged to continually practice humility, acknowledging their limitations and asking for their higher power’s help daily. Humility isn’t a one-time event but an ongoing practice. It is the foundation for continued growth in recovery.
The 7th Step has much in common with the 1st Step regarding surrendering our will. The following excerpt from The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions applied equally to step seven: “When we have finally admitted without reservation that we are powerless over alcohol, we are apt to breathe a great sigh of relief, saying, ‘Well, thank God that’s over! I’ll never have to go through that again!’ Then we learn, often to our dismay, that this is only the beginning of a new journey, which must be taken in all humility and patience” (p. 92).
This surrender is an ongoing process, and it is not always immediate. There may be times when a person feels resistant to letting go of certain defects, either because they provide a false sense of security or because they are deeply linked to past trauma or pain.
The Stoics were also keenly aware that this process of removing shortcomings was never complete. Marcus Aurelius reminded himself regularly that progress in virtue is an ongoing journey: “Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.”
As Wilson observed, “We shall need to raise our eyes toward perfection and be ready to walk in that direction. It will at first be a rocky road, and, depending on the severity of our character defects, it may be a long one.” His words remind us that overcoming defects is not always smooth or easy, but it is essential to recovery.
Step Seven invites us to let go of the illusion of control. Many individuals in recovery have spent years trying to control their addiction, their emotions, and their lives, often with disastrous results. Step Seven is about recognizing that real change requires surrender. By letting go of fear, embracing humility, and trusting that the process of recovery, with the support of a higher power, we can achieve lasting freedom from addiction.
Cultivating Humility
Here is a short list of things to do or keep in mind that can facilitate ongoing humility in our lives:
Acknowledge our limitations: Be aware of our strengths, weaknesses, and limitations, and embrace them instead of avoiding them.
Be open to feedback: Ask for feedback from others, and be open to constructive criticism.
Be grateful: Practice gratitude and say “thank you.”
Be a good listener: Put others’ needs before your own and listen to them.
Be teachable: Be open to learning and adapting from others. Epictetus reminds us, “It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.”
Serve others: Helping others can bring joy and happiness.
Admit mistakes: Own your mistakes and be honest about your weaknesses.
Accept compliments: When someone compliments you, accept it gracefully and express genuine appreciation.
Develop Empathy: Try to understand and appreciate others’ perspectives and experiences. This can help you stay grounded and avoid placing yourself above others.
Conclusion: The Power of Humility
Step Seven is crucial to the Twelve Steps because it asks us to confront our most profound shortcomings and humbly seek help to overcome them. It requires honesty, vulnerability, and trust. Through this process, we learn that we cannot control everything and can find true transformation by surrendering to a higher power.
As Bill Wilson often reminded members of AA, humility is not about self-deprecation. It is about recognizing our need for help and being willing to ask for it. As we humbly ask for the removal of our shortcomings, we begin to experience real change—not only in our behavior but also in our hearts and minds.
Stoicism emphasized the importance of practicing the four cardinal virtues—wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance. Stoics believed that by focusing on living virtuously, individuals could gradually remove their shortcomings and grow in moral character.
Step Seven teaches us that genuine growth comes from humility; through this humility, we open ourselves to the possibility of lasting recovery.
Resources
The Haynes Clinic – Character Defects and How To Identify Them
Positive Psychology – What is Humility and Why It Is Important
Written By Tony Harte
