working the steps
Addiction program progression
Working the steps refers to actively engaging with the twelve-step program of recovery used by Alcoholics Anonymous and similar groups.
Each step involves specific practices—admitting powerlessness, making amends, taking moral inventory—meant to be completed in sequence with a sponsor's guidance.
He's been sober two years and still working the steps.
The phrase implies ongoing effort rather than passive membership.
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
- sponsorFunder of activities
- amendsCompensation for wrongdoing
- inventoryCatalog of held assets
- sobrietyUnimpaired mental state
one day at a time · daily reprieve · meetings · fellowship · higher power · surrender · admitting · powerless · serenity · accountability · honesty · defects · resentments · AA · program · healing · confession · humility
- recoveryrecovery, sobriety, rehab, recover, recovery room