Step Four - Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves

From: Paths to Recovery - pg. 41-42. (Copyright 1997, by Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. Limited use by express written permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.)

In studying the First Step, we learned that we didn't cause the disease of alcoholism, we can't control it and we can't cure it. Additionally we acquired an awareness of how we contributed to the disease through our actions. Some of our actions were admirable and justified, others were embarassing and, in our minds, ineccusable. Members have found it easier to dissect specfic incidents, situations or relationships by listing these actions in a Fourth Step under columns for cause, control, cure and contribute. For each action they then ask, Did I cause the problem? Did I try to control it? Is it in my power to cure it? Did this action contribute to the problem? Only one or two of the three Cs my be applicable to each action. A final column is entitled "comments". In this section many members list the names of persons involved in the situation and how their relationships have been affected. Others write how they would have handled the situation differently today bu using Al-Anon tools.

Glad to be back - love you all - Dot