The 12 Steps Reimagined with Trauma Awareness

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🔄 The 12 Steps Reimagined with Trauma Awareness

Traditional Step

Maté’s Trauma-Informed Interpretation

1️⃣ We admitted we were powerless over our addiction

Recognize that addiction is a coping mechanism for pain, not a moral failure. Powerlessness is not weakness—it’s the first step toward healing.

2️⃣ Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity

Healing begins when we reconnect with our authentic self and others. The “Higher Power” can be interpreted as compassion, community, or inner wisdom.

3️⃣ Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God

Surrendering control is about trusting the healing process and letting go of shame. Trauma survivors often need to feel safe before they can surrender.

4️⃣ Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves

Instead of focusing on “wrongs,” explore how trauma shaped your behaviors. This step becomes a journey of self-compassion and understanding.

5️⃣ Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs

Sharing your story is powerful—but it must be done in safe, validating spaces. The goal is release, not punishment.

6️⃣ Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character

Replace “defects” with protective adaptations. These behaviors once helped you survive. Healing means releasing what no longer serves you.

7️⃣ Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings

This step becomes a practice of self-acceptance. You’re not broken—you’re wounded. Healing is about integration, not erasure.

8️⃣ Made a list of all persons we had harmed

Acknowledge harm, but also recognize the pain that led to it. This step includes forgiving yourself for surviving the only way you knew how.

9️⃣ Made direct amends wherever possible

Amends are not just apologies—they’re acts of repair and reconnection. Trauma-informed amends include boundaries and emotional safety.

🔟 Continued to take personal inventory and promptly admitted when we were wrong

Ongoing healing means staying curious, not self-critical. Mistakes are opportunities for growth, not proof of failure.

1️⃣1️⃣ Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God

Mindfulness, breathwork, and body awareness help trauma survivors reconnect with themselves and the present moment.

1️⃣2️⃣ Having had a spiritual awakening, we tried to carry this message to others

Share your healing journey with others—but don’t lose yourself in service. Boundaries are essential to avoid retraumatization.

💬 Maté’s Core Message

“Not all addictions are rooted in abuse or trauma, but I do believe they can all be traced to painful experience.”

He invites us to ask not why the addiction, but why the pain. The 12 Steps, when infused with trauma awareness, become a path to wholeness, not just sobriety.