Step 3 | Cleaning House

“Maybe this all sounds mysterious and remote, something like Einstein's theory of relativity or a proposition in nuclear physics. It isn't at all. Let's look at how practical it actually is. Every man and woman who has joined A.A. and intends to stick has, without realizing it, made a beginning on Step Three. Isn't it true that in all matters touching upon alcohol, each of them has decided to turn his or her life over to the care, protection, and guidance of Alcoholics Anonymous? Already willingness has been achieved to cast out one's own will and one's own ideas about the alcohol problem in favor of those suggested by A.A. Any willing newcomer feels sure A.A. is the only safe harbor for the foundering vessel he has become. Now if this is not turning one's will and life over to a newfound Providence, then what is it? But suppose that instinct still cries out, as it certainly will, "Yes, respecting alcohol, I guess I have to be dependent upon A.A., but in all other matters I must still maintain my independence. Nothing is going to turn me into a nonentity. If I keep on turning my life and my will over to the care of something or somebody else, what will become of me? I'll look like the hole in the doughnut." This, of course, is the process by which instinct and logic always seek to bolster egotism, and so frustrate spiritual development. The trouble is that this kind of thinking takes no real account of the facts.”-from the chapter on Step Three from The AA Twelve and Twelve

Many of us as alcoholics feel like we have already made a big enough sacrifice when we get to the point of going into a drug addiction detox, AA, or Above It All Drug Rehab. Alcohol was our solution to everything and here we were faced with having to give it up as well as turn our will and life over to a power greater than ourselves. How were we supposed to do that? Through doing the work, getting alcohol and drug rehab, and realizing that we suffered not just from a phenomenon of craving but also from a spiritual malady we were able to start building a foundation for our sobriety. Through cleaning house, trusting God, and working with others we were able to see our lives change for the better. The more that we continue this practice the more free we get to be.