By Paul Maner | June 16, 2023

Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

Admitted to God – the God of our understanding.

to ourselves – we need to admit these things to ourselves.

and to another human being – a sponsor or accountability partner.

exact nature of our wrongs – what we learned about ourselves in Step Four.

Step Five is a step of personal disclosure and accountability. It involves sharing the results of our moral inventory from Step Four with a trusted person, often referred to as a sponsor or a spiritual advisor (accountability partner). This step emphasizes the importance of honest and open communication to promote self-acceptance, healing, and personal growth.

The primary purpose of Step Five is to take responsibility for one’s actions and to gain freedom from the burdens of guilt, shame, and secrecy. By sharing the exact nature of one’s wrongs with another person, we begin to release the emotional weight associated with our past behaviors, resentments, and shortcomings.

In Step Five, we typically choose someone who is empathetic, nonjudgmental, and supportive to confide in. This person is bound by confidentiality, and their role is to listen attentively and offer guidance, encouragement, and understanding. Through this process, we are encouraged to be completely honest about our past, acknowledging the harm they have caused to ourselves and others.

By openly discussing our wrongdoings, we can experience a sense of relief, catharsis, and self-acceptance. It allows us to gain a clearer perspective on our behavior, patterns, and character defects. Additionally, sharing this information with another person helps to build trust and foster a deeper sense of connection within the recovery community.

Step Five is considered a crucial step in the Twelve Step process as it sets the stage for further personal growth and making amends. By sharing their vulnerabilities and seeking support, individuals continue their journey toward recovery, healing, and transformation. On to Step Six.