{"id":16992,"date":"2020-10-25T21:16:00","date_gmt":"2020-10-26T01:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=16992"},"modified":"2020-10-26T08:24:26","modified_gmt":"2020-10-26T12:24:26","slug":"aa-tools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/aa-tools\/","title":{"rendered":"AA Tools: Inventories, Prayers, and People"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What are the main AA tools? How do these tools help set you up for success in recovery?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AA tools rely on other people in the program, such as your AA sponsor<\/a>, as well as the work you do in self-reflection<\/a> and prayer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read more about the AA tools used in the 12-Step Program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What Are AA Tools?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Each part of the 12-Step Program relies on several tools. The general themes of these tools are the use of self-reflective inventories, prayers to a higher power, and other people in the program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inventories<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is soul-searching. As if you owned a retail store, do an inventory of yourself. Find the damaged and unsellable goods\u2014search for your flaws that cause your failure when drinking. These are the flaws that drive you to drink\u2014your anger, guilt, resentment, and other emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Freeing yourself of these flaws means freeing yourself of the need to drink. <\/strong>If you become sorry for what you\u2019ve done, and you have an honest desire to become better, you\u2019ll be forgiven and avoid the guilt that drives people to drink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Resentment is an especially common and powerful flaw. Make a list of what and who make you angry. Then ask yourself why you\u2019re angry, and how this anger causes you injury. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n