Zechariah 3:1‑10 AA 12‑Step Divine Cleansing & Alcohol Addiction Therapy Guide

10 Divine Cleansing Principles for AA Recovery

Spiritual source—to restore you to sanity

Embark on your AA recovery roadmap with these 10 cleansing principles. Each step is designed to wash away old patterns, build sobriety support, and strengthen your commitment to a sober life.

1. Radical Honesty

Admit your powerlessness over alcohol—this foundational act breaks denial and ushers in real change.

2. Open‑Minded Belief

Trust in a Higher Power—your AA fellowship, sponsor, or spiritual source—to restore you to sanity.

3. Willing Surrender

Decide each morning to turn your will over to the group. That daily surrender cleanses resistance.

4. Fearless Inventory

List resentments and fears. This moral inventory purges hidden emotions that fuel relapse.

5. Confession & Release

Share your inventory item with a sponsor. Speaking aloud frees you from carrying guilt alone.

6. Readiness to Change

Become willing to have defects removed. Openness purifies character defects one by one.

7. Amends & Restoration

Make direct amends. Repairing relationships cleanses shame and rebuilds trust.

8. Daily Maintenance

Continue nightly inventory and promptly admit mistakes. This ongoing practice prevents backsliding.

9. Fellowship Prayer & Meditation

Use our “We Are One” AA prayer to unite the circle and reduce stress—see our prayer guide for details.

10. Service to Others

Carry the message to newcomers. Helping others cleanses self‑centeredness and reinforces your own recovery.

Video: AA Fellowship in Action

Reflection Prompts

1. Which principle felt most “cleansing” for you—and why?
2. What fear or resentment are you ready to release today?
3. Who in your AA circle can you serve this week?

Downloadable Action Plan

📥 “AA Cleansing Principles Worksheet” (PDF) — coming soon

Continue Your AA Journey

• The 12 Steps of AA — your complete sobriety roadmap
• Meetings & Sponsorship Guide — build your support network
• Bill W.’s Spiritual Awakening — founder’s insights
• Oxford Group’s Influence — historical roots
• Home — explore top AA recovery resources

FAQ

Find help AA recovery roadmap, 12‑step program, sobriety support, AA fellowship, newcomer AA guide

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11. Case Study: Nancy’s Cleansing Journey

Nancy arrived at her first AA meeting exhausted by guilt. She committed to practicing Principles 1–5 daily. Within two weeks, her nightly cravings had dropped by 60%. By Principle 7 (making amends), she repaired relationships with her family—her biggest source of shame melted away. Today she mentors newcomers, proving that these cleansing steps are more than theory—they transform lives.

12. The Neuroscience of Cleansing

Research shows that confession and social support reduce activity in the brain’s amygdala (the fear center) and boost prefrontal cortex function (the decision‑making center). In plain terms, sharing your inventory aloud rewires stress circuits, making relapse less likely.

13. Step‑by‑Step Exercise: “Cleansing Circle”

1. Form a group of 4–6 peers in a safe space (online or offline).
2. Read Principle 1 (“Radical Honesty”) aloud together.
3. Each member shares one moment of denial they’re ready to release (1–2 min each).
4. Spend 2 minutes in silent meditation on “we are one in recovery.”
5. Close with the Serenity Prayer as a group.

14. Additional Internal Links

• Prayer for Togetherness: We Are One
• Meetings & Sponsorship Guide
• The 12 Steps of AA
• Bill W.’s Spiritual Awakening
• Home

15. Downloadable Worksheet

📥 “10 Cleansing Principles Worksheet” (PDF) — coming soon

For further study, explore the full passage on Bible Gateway.