In this publication, over the past several years, I have not kept secret that I am an avid 12 Stepper and that I have been very grateful to have found the Steps. They have become a very important part of my recovery and life for over thirty years. I see the 12 Steps as not only providing a framework for living in recovery, but also for living a healthy and creative life. As I have worked the Steps and reflected upon their wisdom, the word that emerges for me is EMPOWERMENT. I want to reflect on this in this article through the lens of the 12 Steps. I see Empowerment as impacting not only ourselves, but also others.
I want to state Steps 1 and 12 which are important to this article.
- Step 1: We admitted we were powerless over our addictive behaviors – that our lives had become unmanageable.
- Step 12: Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to all others who are part of our lives and to practice these principles in all of our affairs.
I have stated these Steps because they represent the movement in working the Steps – from powerlessness to what I call ”empowerment.” I see carrying the message to others and practicing the Steps as being empowering. Also, this Step invites us to share what we have learned with others. The Steps and the movement of working the Steps is always leading us to becoming more aware of the different WE that we are part of. Empowerment impacts not only ourselves but also the people that are part of our lives. In the book I wrote on the 12 Steps, I named the importance of seeking and also being aware of the positives we have made in our lives; the Steps, at times, can emphasize the negatives of our behaviors. I don’t want to dismiss the harm we have done to others and ourselves; I do want to encourage us to also look at the good we have done in our lives. Balance is important in recovery.
I want to name the behaviors that I see in the different Steps that lead to feeling ”empowered:”
- Seeking the help of others which means un-isolating and connecting with others
- Taking inventory of what we did and are doing and how that has both harmed and helped others. and sharing these with trusted people
- Seeking to change behaviors that harmed others and ourselves
- Making amends and giving thanks when and where possible
- Practicing ways of mindfulness and praying to remain conscious and aware
- Seeking ways to be of service to others.
I would like to share some examples that I have found helpful in working the Steps and of becoming more empowered over the years. I can volunteer to be of service to others. I can join recovery groups which not only help me, but also the members of the group. I can reach out and find trusted people who can help me discover gifts and talents that I have, as well as discovering ways to share these gifts and talents. Another source of empowerment that I have found is working on letting go of having to do everything perfectly. It is very normal to make mistakes, and we can always learn from our mistakes.
I also see that our movement to feeling more empowered can also involve helping others feel more empowered; again, the community aspect of recovery. I can share some of the learning that I listed in the previous paragraph. I can also find ways to affirm others, as well as share with them the gifts and talents that I see they have. This can also lead to helping them – if they are open to this – talk about ways they might share their gifts and talents with others. Another practice I have found helpful is to express my gratitude to people who have helped and supported me. There is an ol’ saying that it is difficult to be resentful and regretful if we are grateful.
In conclusion, then, I suggest that one way to see the movement of working the Steps is to be a movement toward the empowerment of ourselves and others. It is moving from feeling powerless to feeling a sense of empowerment that helps me find ways to live my recovery in convert with others – supporting them, as well as receiving their support. It is living out the WE that is always part of working the 12 Steps. May you experience this sense of empowerment as well as helping others to feel more empowered.
Mark Scannell is an avid 12 Stepper who has been working the Steps for over 30 years and sees them as foundational for a healthy and sane life. He recently authored a book on the 12 Steps: Affirming & Nurturing: A New Look at 12 Steps.
Last Updated on September 24, 2025
