What is Step 10 of Alcoholic Anonymous? Get AA Help

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What Is Step 10 of AA?

“Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.”

You probably noticed that Step 10 of AA has some similarities to Step 4 and Step 9. The 10th Step in AA is purposely designed to parallel these two Steps.

It is intended to help you maintain these two steps—inventory and amends—as ongoing practices. It’s about living these Steps out in everyday life.

What Is a “Moral Inventory”?

Step 10 of AA includes a moral inventory. This is the ongoing practice of examining your thoughts, actions, and behaviors each day to identify where you may have fallen short. This might include moments of anger, dishonesty, selfishness, or fear.

The goal is not self-criticism but honest reflection, so you can promptly admit mistakes and make amends when needed. The goal is to continually build healthier habits in recovery.

This Free Step 10 of AA worksheet helps you to organize your daily reflections.

Download your Free AA Step 10 worksheet today!

The Spiritual Principle of Step 10

Step 10 of AA explained in the Big Book (Alcoholics Anonymous) includes the following spiritual axiom:

“Every time we are disturbed, no matter what the cause, there is something wrong with us.”

This axiom involves three spiritual principles:

Honesty: It requires an honest evaluation of the situation.
Perseverance: This must be an ongoing, consistent practice, even when it’s hard.
Humility: Admitting we have a role in the disturbance or that something is wrong with us requires great humility.

What is a “Spiritual Axiom”?

Webster defines an axiom as “an established rule or principle or self-evident truth.” In AA, the axiom above is viewed as a spiritual truth that should be accepted as part of Step 10.

This spiritual axiom of AA is tied to emotional awareness and responsibility. It causes us to stop and consider why we are disturbed in each situation, then admit our role in the disturbance.

How to Do Step 10 in AA (Daily Inventory Practice)

The crux of how to do the 10th Step in AA is taking daily inventory. This Step 10 inventory includes morning and evening reflections, plus spot check-ins.

Morning Inventory

To start your daily inventory each morning, complete a morning check-in. This is an opportunity to review your current emotional state as you start the day, as well as set intentions for the day.

Questions to ask during morning inventory:

Am I carrying resentment from yesterday?
What do I need to focus on to stay sober today?

Nightly Inventory

Nightly inventory in AA is a brief reflection before bed. It’s a chance to review the day to evaluate your actions and the motives behind them. Step 10 of AA in the Big Book refers to this as a balance sheet.

It’s important to note any good acts, good thoughts, and good intentions. This is balanced by an honest look at any actions or motives that weren’t good. Typical Big Book questions cover selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear.

These questions are provided in AA Step 10 nightly inventory worksheets, which provide practical tools for completing your daily inventory.

Spot-Check Inventory

There will be days when a lot happens between the morning and nightly inventory. As challenges or triggers arise, spot-checks during the day are necessary.

Think of this like a computer running a virus scan. Rather than waiting for the virus to infect the system, you quickly identify harmful thoughts with a spot-check and prevent longer-term damage.

Step 10 Worksheets & Tools

Daily self-inventory can seem daunting, but 10th Step inventory tools simplify this process and make it doable.

A Step 10 AA worksheet helps you keep inventory on both sides of the ledger:

Track resentments, dishonesty, selfishness, and fear
Note positive behaviors, which reinforces growth

Sections of the worksheet may include a love gauge, resentment check, and fear factor. Questions in these sections allow you to evaluate your motives in various situations throughout the day.

Another aspect of an AA Step 10 daily inventory worksheet is flexibility. The goal is to provide structure for your self-reflections, but the worksheets can be adapted to suit each person and situation.

Ready to give it a try? Download or print your customizable Step 10 AA worksheet.

Benefits of Practicing Step 10

Why practice Step 10 of AA? While it might seem challenging to get started, it’s worth the effort. You’ll reap the following Step 10 AA benefits:

Prevents emotional hangovers. Reviewing and reflecting each day prevents you from allowing any resentment to fester. Negative emotions aren’t tucked into bed and carried over to the next day. They are dealt with immediately, so you don’t end up with an emotional hangover.
Strengthens relationships. When you promptly admit a wrong, you keep relationships healthy. Conflicts are handled, apologies are stated, and forgiveness can be given and received.
Builds self-discipline and resilience. Regular reflections and admittance of wrong requires self-discipline. Practicing this step over time builds resilience as you repeatedly face and deal with wrongs.
Keep the spiritual plate clean. Checking yourself frequently for wrong motives and actions allows you to maintain a balanced ledger. You clear your plate each day, rather than letting things pile up and worsen over time. This also facilitates spiritual growth.

Myths and Misconceptions About Step 10

Before Step 10 AA is explained fully, people often believe some common tenth Step of AA myths. Here’s the truth to debunk these misconceptions.

Myth 1: You’re constantly apologizing.

Frequent self-analysis does not mean all you do is go around apologizing to people all day. The point is to evaluate your motives and actions, determine where you were wrong, and commit to handling things differently in the future.

If you realize you have outwardly wronged someone, an apology may be in order. However, the main focus of Step 10 is inward reflection and growth.

Myth 2: You’re not allowed to get angry.

Step 10 of AA is about awareness and correction, not suppression. Anger is a natural emotion, and attempting never to feel angry would be unhealthy (and impossible).

Practicing Step 10 involves evaluating why you became angry, to see if you were in the wrong in any way or had wrong motives. Then, you can also evaluate your actions and reactions to see if those should be adjusted in the future.

Step 10 in Narcotics Anonymous (NA 10th Step)

Step 10 is also central to NA. The wording for this Step is the same as AA Step 10. As with Alcoholics Anonymous, Step 10 NA worksheets are also available to guide the process. However, the approach of each program is slightly different.

Both stress the same principle of daily self-inventory, but the focus of AA tends to be more spiritual than NA’s. For example, while AA might encourage prayer in combination with quiet reflection, the emphasis in NA would be more on behavioral change and accountability with others.

The other main difference between NA and AA Step 10 is their addiction focus. While AA solely focuses on addiction to alcohol, NA has a broader focus on addiction behaviors beyond alcohol.

What Comes After Step 10?

The 10th Step of AA lays the foundation for Step 11 of AA. This humble reflection and daily inventory prepares you to practice Step 11, which states:

“Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.”

This step involves prayer, meditation, and a deepening spiritual connection. The Big Book emphasizes the interconnectedness of self-examination with these three things.

Step 11 of AA explains, “Taken separately, these practices can bring much relief and benefit. But when they are logically related and interwoven, the result is an unshakable foundation for life.”

Frequently Asked Questions About Step 10 of AA

What is the 10th Step in AA?

Step 10 of Alcoholics Anonymous states: “Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.”

This Step focuses on preventing emotional hangovers and built-up resentments by maintaining daily honesty and accountability.

How Do You Do a 10th Step in AA?

Working Step 10 involves:
-Taking morning and evening inventory of your thoughts, actions, and feelings.
-Spot-checking yourself during the day when you feel resentful, fearful, or dishonest.
-Promptly admitting mistakes and making quick amends if needed.

The Big Book suggests: “Watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear. When these crop up, we ask God at once to remove them.”

What is a 10th Step Inventory?

A 10th Step inventory is a structured self-review. This process keeps recovery on track one day at a time.

Many people use a Step 10 worksheet to ask questions such as:
-Was I resentful or fearful today?
-Was I selfish or dishonest?
-Did I treat others with kindness?
-Do I owe anyone an apology or amends?

Do I Need a Step 10 AA Worksheet?

Worksheets aren’t required, but many find them helpful for building consistency. A 10th Step worksheet provides prompts and space to record daily thoughts, making it easier to identify patterns and growth.

Here is a link to ours: Free 10th Step AA worksheet.

What is the Spiritual Principle of Step 10?

The key principles are honesty, perseverance, and humility. Step 10 also ties to the AA spiritual axiom: “Every time we are disturbed, no matter what the cause, there is something wrong with us.”

What is a Nightly Inventory in AA?

A nightly inventory is a short reflection at the end of the day. This practice prevents unresolved emotions from carrying into the next day.

Consider asking:
-Where did I fall short today?
-Where did I practice integrity?
-Do I need to make amends before bed?

Is Step 10 Different in Narcotics Anonymous (NA)?

Yes and no.

NA’s 10th Step is almost identical: it emphasizes ongoing self-inventory and accountability. NA literature encourages daily reflection on harmful thoughts or actions and making amends quickly. Many NA members also use 10th Step worksheets adapted for their fellowship.

NA’s emphasis, however, is less spiritual, and the focus can be on a broader range of addictions, rather than solely alcohol.

How is Step 10 Connected to Step 11?

Step 10 builds the habit of daily self-review, which naturally prepares you for Step 11’s focus on prayer, meditation, and spiritual growth.

By regularly checking your actions and admitting wrongs, you create the mental and spiritual space to deepen your connection with your Higher Power.

Explore All 12 Steps

For a full view of the AA program, explore each step below:

Step 1 of AA: Powerlessness – admitting alcohol has control
Step 2: Higher Power – finding belief in restoration
Step 3: Surrender – turning will over to a Higher Power
Step 4: Moral Inventory – fearless self-examination
Step 5: Admitting Wrongs – honesty with self and others
Step 6: Readiness – becoming ready for change
Step 7: Humility – asking for shortcomings to be removed
Step 8: List of Amends – preparing to repair relationships
Step 9: Making Amends – direct action to repair harm
Step 11: Prayer & Meditation – seeking spiritual growth
Step 12: Service – carrying the message to others

Find Support Beyond Step 10

Step 10 of AA can be a powerful daily practice. What makes it even more powerful is combining it with additional support.

Many people in recovery also benefit from AA meetings, detox programs, and rehab treatment centers. Each of these valuable resources helps address various aspects of addiction, from physical, to emotional, to relational.

To find AA meetings near you, use the online AA directory, or call 800-948-8417 Sponsored to connect with a treatment specialist about detox and rehab options that fit your needs.

Key Next Steps in AA

After working Step 10, members naturally move toward other parts of the program that deepen growth and healing.

Step 9: Making Amends: This step focuses on taking direct action to repair relationships by addressing past harms, whenever possible, with honesty and humility.
Step 11: Prayer & Meditation: This step emphasizes strengthening a daily spiritual practice, helping members connect with a Higher Power for guidance, peace, and continued recovery.

Ready to progress on your journey?

Download the Step 10 Worksheet and start your recovery journey today.

By Kerry Nenn

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Sylvie Stacy

Kerry is a full-time freelance writer and author whose work has received awards both locally and nationally. Based in the St. Louis area, she holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and psychology (BSW) from Evangel University. Kerry is a regular contributor to international journal publications, industry-leading consumer blogs, and Christian ministries. Kerry has authored more than 10 books, encompassing the genres of Christian living, children’s picture books, and freelance writing.

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Sylvie Stacy, MD, MPH, Medical Officer at Rehab.com, is a board-certified addiction medicine specialist with over a decade of experience treating individuals with addictions in diverse clinical settings including residential treatment programs, detox centers, outpatient clinics, and correctional facilities.

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