Simple Directions for Step 5 and the Principle of Integrity

Step Five and the Principle of Integrity

“Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.” — Step Five of the Twelve Steps

After completing Step Four, which asks us to take a fearless and honest moral inventory, Step Five challenges us to share that inventory. This step is a pivotal act of integrity—of being honest not only with ourselves but with God and with another person.

The Meaning of Integrity in Step Five

Integrity is more than honesty—it is about wholeness and alignment. It means living in a way where our inner truth matches our outward actions. For many of us, addiction thrived in secrecy and denial. Step Five is where that cycle begins to break. By admitting the exact nature of our wrongs, we shine light into the dark corners of our past and begin to live transparently and truthfully.

Directions for Taking Step Five

• Read Chapter 6, “Into Action” in the Big Book (pages 72–75, especially paragraphs 1–2)
• Read Step Five in the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions (12x12)
• Review your Fourth Step inventory carefully before sharing
• Choose someone trustworthy—usually your sponsor—to hear your Fifth Step
• Symbolically dispose of your written Fourth Step (burn, shred, etc.) as a physical sign of release
• Begin writing a list of amends using your Fourth Step and sponsor’s feedback

Why This Step Matters

Sharing our wrongs aloud is incredibly freeing. The Big Book tells us:

“We pocket our pride and go to it, illuminating every twist of character, every dark cranny of the past.” – Big Book, p. 75

Many people report that after taking Step Five, they feel lighter, less burdened, and more connected to their Higher Power and to others. This step helps us break down the walls of isolation and shame.

Common Fears—and How to Move Through Them

It’s normal to feel fear before Step Five. What if the other person judges me? What if they think less of me?

The reality is: most people who hear a Fifth Step have done one themselves. Your sponsor or spiritual advisor knows what it’s like to feel vulnerable and will listen with compassion, not condemnation. The Fifth Step is a courageous act of trust—and it is rarely met with anything but love and understanding.

Step Five and Your Higher Power

Step Five includes not just another person, but also God and ourselves. Before and after taking the step, take time to pray and reflect. Ask for strength, honesty, and openness. Afterward, many people spend quiet time in meditation as suggested in the Big Book (p. 75), to review what they've done and prepare for the steps ahead.

Suggested Practice

• Look up definitions: Integrity, Harm
• Talk with your sponsor about what it means to live with integrity today
• Reflect on moments in your life when you acted with integrity—and when you did not
• Begin noticing where your current life may still be out of alignment

Final Thoughts

Step Five is about truth. It's about courageously sharing the truth of who we were so we can become who we are meant to be. It's about healing the shame that keeps us stuck, and opening ourselves to the grace that fuels growth.

It’s a turning point—a sacred act of integrity that allows us to be seen, known, and loved despite our flaws. And that is where real freedom begins.