STEP NO. 5 — “Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.”

1. There is nothing new in this step. There are many sound reasons for “talking over our troubles out loud with others.” It is a natural human act to unburden ourselves.

2. The Catholic already has this medium readily available to him in the Confessional. But — the Catholic is at a disadvantage if he thinks his familiarity with confession permits him to think his part of A.A. is thereby automatically taken care of. He must, in confession, seriously consider his problems in relation to his alcoholic thinking.

3. The non-Catholic has the way open to work this step by going to his minister, his doctor, or his friend.

4. Under this step it is not even necessary to go to a priest or a minister. Any understanding human being, friend or stranger, will serve the purpose.

5. The purpose and intent of this step is so plain and definite that it needs little explanation. The point is that we MUST do EXACTLY what the Fifth step says, sooner or later. We must not be in a rush to get this step off our chest. Consider it carefully and calmly. Then get about it and do it.

6. “Wrongs” do not necessarily mean “crime”. It can well mean wrong thinking — selfishness — false pride — egotism — or any one of a hundred such negative faults.
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GOD grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.
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