Freedom is something that a lot of people chase in recovery. A way to outgrow and leave some of the pain, shame and guilt we have carried around for what seems like an eternity. To be truly free and live a happier, healthier life than where we are coming from. The beautiful thing – there is a way to achieve this freedom we have sought out for; it can be found by doing a step five. This is where we build on our step four and truly let go of all the negativity that has been built up by our addiction.
Step five states, “We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.”
If we feel we have taken a thorough and honest fourth step, we set forth to telling the truth of the things we have done and to finally clear the wreckage of our past. One of the key components behind step five is practicing the moral inventory, which involves us speaking the truth. By doing this we practice accountability, humility and honesty.
Admitting to Ourselves
When we admit these things to ourselves, we should do it without judgement or denial and accept things as they are, vowing to live better moving forward.
Admitting to Our Higher Power
Admitting these things to God (AKA our higher power), we look for forgiveness and to hopefully build our relationship with our higher power as we grow into this newfound us.
Admitting to Another
As the admitting to another person goes, most of the time it is to our sponsor who we admit our wrongs. Doing this step with someone also in recovery—like a sponsor or fellow peer in recovery—creates room for relatability and connection. People sometimes feel the person they trust is a religious or spiritual leader like a priest or pastor or even a therapist. Listening to their feedback, insights and perspective can help us gain a deeper understanding of our patterns of behavior.
Even though this step may seem short, there is a lot of healing found within step five. To be able to let go of the past and begin this newly discovered you is truly a blessing. Sometimes the only way out is through. Remember that the more honest you are the more healing you may find. As my sponsor said to me, there is nothing in this world that I have done that someone else hasn’t done. Let go, let God and walk into the newfound freedom you have discovered free of the burdens of guilt, shame and secrets.
