Step 4 of AA: Make a Moral Inventory Of Yourself

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What Is Step 4 of AA?

The AA fourth step is the stage in alcohol addiction recovery programs that consists of undertaking an exhaustive search within a person’s past to make a fearless moral inventory of themselves.

Alcoholics Anonymous Step 4 is a practical application of the group’s philosophy that alcohol use disorder doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s often the result of a life where disordered behaviors and emotions have gone astray.

What is moral inventory, and how is it connected to alcohol abuse treatment? A moral inventory is an organized effort to categorize character defects, such as self-centeredness, jealousy and anger, to evaluate how they are affecting an individual’s relationships while fueling disordered drinking.

What is Step 4 in AA: A Contrast with Steps 1–3

The 12 steps follow a sequential order to help an individual develop skills in more demanding aspects of changing behavior.

Step 1: A person admits they are powerless against drinking.
Step 2: They believe a Higher Power can help them with their problem.
Step 3: The person decides to turn their will and live for this higher purpose.
Step 4: First step of concrete action. A fearless search within to confront resentments, fears, harms and other destructive patterns.

The first three steps are mainly focused on shifting an individual’s beliefs and attitudes toward alcohol. Step 4 changes gears to help a person honestly explore their flaws to increase self-accountability.

Now that you have a clear understanding of the first four steps, you’re ready for the next milestone!

Download your free Step 4 AA Worksheet and turn reflection into real progress.

The Purpose of Step 4 in Recovery

The main purpose of Step 4 in AA is to promote an individual’s personal growth by increasing self-awareness in regard to the mistakes they’ve made along the way.

A moral inventory’s goal is not to expose the weaknesses of a person or to shame them, but rather to develop the habit of self-examination.

The fourth step of AA is rooted in the conviction that natural human desires, such as wanting to succeed in life or to be loved, can become liabilities for an individual when everyday challenges result in developing negative emotional patterns.

These flaws can block a person from reaching their potential, and they may promote drinking as a coping mechanism.

By categorizing these flaws through a careful personal inventory, an individual can have a clearer picture of what’s not working in their lives, the harm they caused and most importantly, design a path to move forward based on taking decisive action to fix what’s broken.

AA Step Four lays the groundwork for what’s next, serving as a form of personal housecleaning for Steps 5–9. Steps 5–9 are focused on addressing personal shortcomings and harm caused to others through personal reflection and external vigorous actions.

How to Do Step 4 of AA (Practical Guide)

Here are some practical Step 4 AA instructions.

Start With Writing Your Inventory

The Big Book of AA wisely remembers that a business that avoids regular inventory usually goes broke. So, view AA’s moral inventory as a tool to discover what’s working in your life and what’s not.

Focus on honesty over perfection, always keeping in mind that this exercise is not meant to crush your self-esteem but rather to identify areas in your life where you can grow.

You can use our AA Step 4 Worksheet, a notebook or any digital tool you’re comfortable with.

This is your list, not an essay, so no need to overcomplicate things.

The Four Columns Method (Big Book Approach)

To facilitate the 4th step of AA, you can utilize the fourth column methods as a way to categorize character flaws.

Column 1 — Resentments (Step 4 resentments examples).

In column 1, you can begin looking back over your life to evaluate whom you are angry at.

Resentment can grow when you perceive someone has treated you unfairly. This anger can be evident or subtle. The goal is to identify why you are feeling this way and which aspect of your life it is affecting.

Anger hurts you more than anyone else, as resentment is usually one of unhappiness’s main ingredients.

Step 4: Resentment examples to add to your column include:

You’re resentful of: A former boss.

Cause: They never promoted you.
- Affects: Security.
  - Your Part: You arrived late every day and seemed detached.

You’re resentful of: Your wife.

Cause: She seems unsatisfied with your marriage.
- Affects: Self-esteem, fear and sexual satisfaction.
  - Your Part: Your drinking affected your mood, finances and trustworthiness.

Column 2 — Fears (Step 4 fears list).

Fear is a normal human emotion that can emerge from the innate desire for safety, love and companionship.

When circumstances threaten these desires, fear can manifest in ways that may disrupt close relationships and even promote excessive alcohol consumption.

Here’s a Step 4 fears list:

Fear: Financial ruin.

Why You Have It: You feel unfit to do your job
- Affects: Self-esteem, safety and relationships.
  - Your Part: You tried to cover feelings of inadequacy with lies or cheating at work.

Fear: Rejection in close relationships.

Why You Have It: You link your worth to external approval.
- Affects: Self-esteem and relationships.
  - Your Part: You act distant or are possessive.

Column 3 — Harms Done and Sexual Conduct

Be honest with yourself about how your conduct has affected individuals or groups of people, including your family. Also include your attitudes and behaviors around sexual conduct.

Everyone has different sexual needs and preferences, so the goal is to dissect how sexually motivated behaviors have affected others close to you.

AA Step 4 examples for category 3:

Person or Group: Employer.

What I Did: Lied about project status.
- Motives Involved: Fear of losing a job.
  - How They Were Harmed: They lost a profitable client.
  - What I Should Have Done Instead: Admitted delays and asked for help.

Person or Group: Family.

What I Did: Cheated on my spouse.
- Motives Involved: Unrestrained sexual desires.
  - How They Were Harmed: They felt betrayed and shamed.
  - What I Should Have Done Instead: Talked with my spouse about sexual needs.

Column 4 — Assets and Positive Traits

It’s wise to also include in your inventory, as a balancing act, positive aspects of your character that you can leverage.

Positive traits examples of AA Step 4 include:

Honesty
Willingness
Courage
Resilience
Empathy
Patience
Responsibility
Humor
Robust healthy friendships

Work With a Sponsor for Guidance

Accessing guidance from a sponsor to work on the AA 4th step can be transformational.

Sponsors have been there before. They are familiar with difficult emotions that may emerge during the moral inventory process, such as melancholy, guilt or shame.

Sponsors offer reassurance about character flaws, providing a realistic picture of what needs to be improved and positive assets to leverage.

You don’t have to do it alone. Sponsors can keep you accountable with the 4th step while infusing optimism for the next chapter in your life.

Tips for Working Step 4 Successfully

Step four in AA programs is the backbone of the organization’s thesis that personal accountability is critical for sobriety.

Here are some step 4 AA tips to succeed:

Honesty beats perfection: The path to recovery can be messy. Focus on nurturing a genuine desire to make things right.
Take breaks when emotions are heavy: The recovery process may be intense as old wounds can be reopened. Take pauses when you need them.
Use meetings and your Higher Power for support: Don’t walk this road alone. Spiritual guidance and peer support can restore hope when you need it most.
Don’t rush, as this is foundational work: Consistency and a positive attitude are more important than speed.

Step 4 AA Worksheet (Free Download)

Leveraging our expertise in helping thousands of individuals successfully navigate the 12 steps, we have an incredible gift for you.

Our AA step 4 worksheet is a transformational tool that helps break down resentments, fears, harms, and assets into structured categories.

You can use the worksheet as your go-to resource for:

Writing your daily reflections.
Developing a practice of honest accountability.
Reviewing progress with a sponsor.

The worksheet includes AA step 4 questions and answers to facilitate the moral inventory process.

It also includes multiple prompts for instances such as:

When you are in control vs. when you are not
People you may have harmed
Fears and coping mechanisms
Positive assets

Make step 4 a more structured and less overwhelming experience.

Download the Free Step 4 AA Worksheet to streamline your moral inventory process.

Common Misconceptions About Step 4

Myth — Step 4 Is About Shame

Truth: AA’s fourth step is about promoting self-awareness and personal growth through a habitual accountability practice.

Myth — You Must Be Religious to Do Step 4

Truth: While Step 4 Alcoholics Anonymous may involve a religious practice to act as a Higher Power, your Higher Power can also be anything meaningful to an individual, irrespective of religious affiliation.

Myth — You Have to Get It “Perfect”

Truth: The road to recovery from alcoholism has ups and downs. Progress, consistency and a genuine desire to do better always beat ‘’perfection.’’

Examples of Step 4 Moral Inventory

Here are some AA Step 4 examples:

Resentment: They include any kind of anger or indignation toward family members, ex-colleagues, friends and romantic partners, such as:

Grievances about job-related issues
Family disputes
Sexual frustrations
Money problems
Marital arguments

Fear: Fear can take many forms, and it usually emerges when basic human needs for safety, comfort and love are perceived to be under threat. Common fears include:

Abandonment
Loneliness
Unemployment
Financial ruin
Loss of reputation

Harm: Harm can be intentional or a secondary effect of behaviors related to alcohol abuse. You can harm others by:

Lying
Being prideful
Manipulating people
Borrowing money and never paying back
Cheating on your spouse
Breaking a child’s trust
Being a lousy employee

Positive Assets: Positive assets are qualities individuals possess that can help during recovery, such as:

Adaptability
Modesty
A good sense of humor
A supportive family
Sense of purpose

One of the benefits of a diligent fulfillment of Step 4 is that honest self-reflection can increase clarity to make better decisions, while showcasing tangible evidence of the willingness to commit to recovery.

What Comes After Step 4? Preparing for Step 5

Step four of AA sets a foundation for what’s to come, but it’s just the first stage in a new life characterized by vigorous action. Admitting to yourself that you have behaved in less-than-ideal ways in the past is not easy, but Step 5, which is the natural flow of Step 4, takes personal growth to the next level.

After your moral inventory list is ready, it may be tempting to hide it from the world. But Step 5 tells the opposite. It’s time to find a trustworthy individual to share your inventory with.

Yes, Step 5 may sound scary. But it doesn’t have to be. This act of courage and radical honesty can be transformational.

Step 4 is a preparation for Step 5, not an endpoint. The willingness to share your weaknesses with another human being can be a catalyst to live a more transparent life, allowing you, in a way, to leave the past behind and set your eyes on what’s next.

FAQs About Step 4 of AA

What is Step 4 of AA in Simple Terms?

Step 4 in AA means making a list of resentments, fears, harms caused and positive assets to evaluate how these behaviors have impacted your and others’ lives so you can change them.

What is a Moral Inventory in AA?

A moral inventory in AA means listing how your conduct and motives in the past have created strain in your life to understand the reasons behind them and plan ways to better manage them.

What is the 4th Step Prayer?

The 4th step prayer is a tool to ask the Higher Power a person believes in to help them honestly evaluate the past, let go of anger, identify fears and harms caused, while leveraging positive qualities to align with a life of purpose.

What are Examples of Character Defects in Step 4?

Examples of character defects in Step 4 include: gossip, dishonesty, disordered sexual conduct, pride, fear, resentment, manipulation, greed, lust, control and selfishness.

How Do You Write a Step 4 AA Inventory?

The best way to write a Step 4 AA inventory is to set a quit time, use a worksheet, and list resentments, fears, harms and assets. Write honestly and review with a sponsor.

Do I Need a Sponsor for Step 4?

While a sponsor is not a necessity for Step 4, their lived experience, support and accountability capacities are invaluable for providing guidance, structure, and preparing you for Step 5.

How Long Does Step 4 Take?

Step 4 does not have a preestablished time duration. The ideal mindset for Step 4 is prioritizing honesty and consistency rather than speed or perfectionism.

Can I Do Step 4 and Step 5 Together?

Step 4 must be done before Step 5 as they follow a sequential progression. First, you make the moral inventory (Step 4), then you share it with someone else (Step 5).

What if I’m in NA Instead of AA? (Step 4 NA Differences).

If you are in NA instead of AA, Step 4 still consists of creating a moral inventory.

Both organizations share similar principles, but AA only focuses on alcohol addiction. Seek guidance from your sponsor for any potential differences in the 4th Step application.

Conclusion & Next Steps

Step 4 of AA can be an intense experience. Yet, its potential benefits as the foundation of lasting change make it all worthwhile. The Fourth Step in AA doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

By relying on compassionate support, and facing every day with courage, honesty and patience, the next chapter of your life may be closer than you imagine.

Alcohol addiction is a treatable medical condition. If you need guidance on the best way to recover, explore the Sober.com directory to find a meeting close to you.

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 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 10: Daily Inventory – how to take a daily inventory
Step 11: Prayer & Meditation – seeking spiritual growth
Step 12: Service – carrying the message to others

Ready to progress on your journey?

Download the Step 4 Worksheet and start your recovery journey today.

By Serg Valencia

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Sylvie Stacy

Serg Valencia is a writer and Psychologist with 13 years of experience in the healthcare space. After a nine-year corporate career with Fortune 500 pharma brands, he now channels his firsthand experience to craft actionable medical content that helps people make informed health choices.

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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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