What Does a 4th Step Have To Do With Not Drinking?

When I first came into A.A., I had no understanding of why it was important for me to look at my life and how I had caused hurt & harm to those around me. I had no idea why inventory was a serious thing. Thank God you helped me understand that it highlights the idea that drinking was never, is not now, and will never be my real problem. It uncovers the causes and conditions of my failure. Fears manifesting in beliefs. It provides me a clearer understanding of the things I used to throw alcohol at because I couldn’t deal with them.

In my experience:

• Inventory doesn’t uncover who I am, it uncovers who I no longer want to be.
• I’m damaged not so much because of the things I did to myself, but because of what I believed about myself.
• I don’t change because my defects of character are bothering you – I change because they are bothering me.
• Inventory is not about looking at the ways in which I am separated, it helps me look for opportunities to better connect.

Doing a personal inventory as a member of Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) has offered me several specific benefits:

1. Self-Reflection: It encourages me to reflect on my past behaviors, thoughts, and feelings, helping me understand the impact of my alcoholism (“ism” – I – SELF – ME).
2. Identifying Triggers: A personal inventory helps identify triggers and patterns that lead to drinking, which were my coping strategies before I came into the rooms.
3. Accountability: It fosters accountability for my actions, promoting honesty and transparency in my recovery process.
4. Amends and Forgiveness: Conducting a personal inventory allows me to recognize the harm I may have caused others, paving the way for making amends.
5. Emotional Healing: This process can facilitate emotional healing by allowing me to confront and process feelings of guilt, shame, and regret.
6. Personal Growth: It promotes self-improvement by encouraging me to acknowledge my weaknesses and areas for growth, contributing to a healthier life.
7. Supportive Community: Sharing insights from my personal inventory with a sponsor (and sometimes with a group) can strengthen connections within the A.A. community, fostering mutual support.
8. Foundation for Step 5: The personal inventory is a key step in the A.A. program, particularly as a precursor to Step 5, where I get to share my inventory with God, myself, and another human being.

By engaging in personal inventory, I can enhance my recovery journey, develop a clearer understanding of myself, draw closer to a God of my understanding, and build a solid foundation for lasting sobriety.

In this month of remembering things to be thankful for – I’ve found that inventory has become a vital part of my life to once again remind me that drinking never was the problem. I am SO thankful I finally learned that. Whether it’s my 4th Step inventory or my daily inventories, they allow me to turn down the volume of the noise that lives between my left ear and my right ear – my alcoholic insanity. With God’s help I can finally exhale once again and become a useful and productive part of society – AND – become the man of dignity and integrity I was put on this Earth to be.

How are YOU using inventory in your life today?

In love & service,