SESSION 12
STEP 4
HOW IT WORKS
STEP 4-
CHAPTER 5
pp 70 -71
REVIEW
“Swallowed and digested some big chunks of truth.” (71: 0)
I.
ON OUR OWN:
STUDY- “What do the Big Book authors say?”

WE PRACTICE TWICE DAILY MEDITATION / PRAYER

WE READ -Step 4 is part of the process of turning our will and life over to our
Higher Power.
-We are working on practices – things we do – that we will
use every day of our lives.

WE WRITE Our Step 4 inventories allow us to look at what we have become
as practicing alcoholics.
 -The flaws of our habitual reactions, which enabled us to keep
drinking, have obscured the strengths of our basic good nature.
 -If we can accept what has happened to us, we can get back to the
process of becoming who we are intended to be, following our
detour into alcoholism. This is a program of self-acceptance, and
only then self-improvement.

WE TALK
We call our sponsor and our group buddy.
II.
WITH THE GROUP:
PRACTICE- “What does the Big Book say to me
about my practice of Step 4?”
We share our particular and common experience.
III.
TAKE STEP 4
“If you have already made a decision [Step 3], and an inventory of your grosser
handicaps [Step 4], you have made a good beginning.” (71: 0)
If we have written our inventories and are prepared to share them, then, under the
conditions of this day, and according to the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, we
have completed Step 4.
Remember that recovery from alcoholism is a process, not an event. This Step 4
inventory is done when we feel we are finished with it, if even just for today. Many
recovering alcoholics find that they do many Fourth Steps.
PART II.
STEP - 4 -
REVIEW
Steps by the Big Book
75
POCKET TREATMENT STEP 4
Optional: A group member’s one page Step 4 summary. Write your own!
Step 4 examines three areas of my Self: Resentments, Fears, and Sex (relationships).

1st Working of Grudge List: “We set them on paper.” (64: 3)
 First Column: ‘WHO?’ Who hurt or threatened me? (64: 3) I
list people, places, and things that cause me to be angry, irritable,
unreasonable, and discontent. I put them all down. First column
lesson: My head is full of resentments. There is no room for
conscious contact with my Higher Power.
 Second Column: ‘HOW?’: How did they “hurt or threaten”
me? (65: 0) For each first column name. I explain simply how they
hurt me. Second column lesson: It is less the person, and more
their behavior I am angry at. May I begin forgiveness of myself
and others right here?
 Third Column: ‘WHAT?’ What part of my Self was hurt or
threatened, and that I reacted to? (64: 3, 65: 1) [The ‘three S’s
of Self’: Security (material and emotional), Self-esteem (fear for
very existence), Sex (and relationship, companionship) instincts.]
Third column lesson: My thought-habits lead me to drink.
The Big Book example of the 1st working of a grudge list:
First Column[Who?]
Second Column[How?]
Third Column[What?]
“Mr. Brown” (65: 2)
“Told my wife of my mistress.” “Sex-relations, Security
“Self-esteem (fear) ”



2nd Working of Grudge List: “Considered it carefully.” (65: 3) WHY? Why
must I change? I will drink again if I think this way.
3rd Working of Grudge List: ‘Turnaround’ “Turned back to the list.” (66:
3) WHEN? When I am ready, what do I do? “They, like ourselves, were sick
too. We asked God to help us. …We avoid retaliation.” (67: 0,1) **
4th Working of Grudge List: “Referring to our list again.” (67: 2)
“Disregard the other person involved entirely.” (67: 2)
 Other Columns: ‘WHERE?’ Where am I responsible? I ask
myself: What have I done to cause myself to feel this way? Where
was I selfish: Where was I self-absorbed? Where was I dishonest:
Not genuine, or believing my own lies? Where was I self-seeking:
Wanting to control or be controlled by someone else? (67:
2)Where was I frightened: Where did reliance solely upon myself
fail me? (68: 1) Where was I at fault: Out of bounds or miss the
mark? What could I have done instead? (69: 1,3) We find the
"exact nature of our wrongs" to be addressed in Step 5.
** MEDITATION / PRAYER: I realize that the one that hurt or threatened me is also
a sick person. I deeply wish for them the same serenity and peace of mind that I would
have for myself. (67: 0) I thereby seek to be less restless, irritable and discontented.
Hence today I do not have to be hurt or to hurt myself, and I do not have to drink.
PART II.
STEP - 4 -
REVIEW
Steps by the Big Book
76