Character Defects: A 12-Step Terminology Guide
Many people who are still in addiction or newly sober have problems with character defects. They manipulate, they obsess, and they get angry inappropriately. These defects can cause serious problems for this person and the people around them. You might be familiar with some of the symptoms from your own experiences. You may even know the sometimes serious consequences of acting on our character defects.
But you don’t have to live with these defects. This article is a guide to the terminology around defects, gives you examples of common defects, and provides ways you can work to overcome them.
Keep reading to find out more about character defects, and how treatment at Emerald Isle can set a solid foundation for sobriety and 12-step success!
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The fourth and fifth steps
Table of Contents
Before we look at character defects, let’s take a glance at the fourth and fifth steps, the steps in the 12-step program that include work on character defects.
The fourth and fifth steps of the 12-step program are about making a searching and fearless moral inventory, and admitting to a higher power, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
These are often considered to be two of the most difficult and important steps in the entire process. They require us to look at our lives and examine our behaviors honestly and critically. This can be a painful experience, but it is also essential for recovery from substance abuse.
Taking a moral inventory
The 4th step involves making a list of all people we have resentments towards, listing why we have those resentments, and looking at what are part we had. In some instances there may be occasions when we have not played any part, but these cases are likely to be few and far between.
Reading the inventory to our sponsor
After we have taken our inventory, we need to admit our wrongs to our higher power, to ourselves, and to another human being. This step is about owning up to our mistakes and taking responsibility for our actions. It can be scary to do this, but it is an important part of the healing process.
If we are sincere in our desire to recover from addiction, then the fourth and fifth steps will be essential components of our journey. They can be difficult, but they are also crucial for making progress.
Looking at all our character defects
Once we have compiled this list and read it to our sponsor, our sponsor can help us to identify common themes. These might be having too much pride, being overly critical, having unrealistic expectations.
These patterns are our character defects. They are self destructive behaviors that we do over and over again, causing problems for other people and ourselves.
Once we have self-awareness and can identify negative patterns, we can work on them.
Addressing our character defects
When it comes to addressing character defects in 12-step programs, there are a few key things that you should bare in mind. First and foremost, it is important to realize that all these defects are a part of who you are and that they will not go away overnight. It is also important to understand that these defects can be addressed and worked on, but it will take time, patience, and effort.
Addressing our character defects means taking a close look at your own life and identifying areas where you may have some work to do to improve your personal character. It is crucial to be honest with yourself about your defects of character. Once you have taken a good look at yourself, you can then start working on addressing these defects of character.
How can I work on character defects?
One of the best ways to address defects of character is to work with a sponsor or therapist. This is someone who can help you work through your issues and help you develop healthy coping mechanisms. Working with a sponsor or therapist can be extremely helpful, as they can offer you support and guidance as you work through your character defects.
In addition to working with a sponsor or therapist, another great way to address character defects in 12 step programs is to attend meetings. These meetings provide a great opportunity for you to share your experiences and learn from others who are dealing with similar issues. Attending meetings can also help you to develop a support network of people who understand what you are going through and can offer you advice and support.
Overall, addressing personality defects in 12 step programs can be a challenge, but it is possible. By taking the time to work on yourself, being honest about your character defects, and working with a sponsor or therapist, you can begin to make progress in addressing these defects. Remember, it will take time, patience, and effort, but it is possible to address your character defects and live a healthier life.
Common character defects
In 12 step programs, character defects are negative personality traits that can lead to self-destructive behavior. These defects can make it difficult for individuals to maintain sobriety and live a healthy, productive life. Some common character defects include:
Anger
Individuals with this character defect may have difficulty controlling their temper. They may lash out at others without provocation, and their anger may lead to violence or other destructive behaviors.
Codependence
This personality trait refers to an individual’s dependence on others for validation and self-worth. Codependent individuals often have trouble maintaining healthy boundaries in relationships and may allow others to control them.
Denial
People who struggle with denial may be unable to admit that they have a problem with drugs or alcohol. They may continue using despite the negative consequences, and they may be in complete denial about the severity of their addiction.
Fear
Fear can lead individuals to avoid situations that could trigger their addiction. It can also prevent them from seeking help or participating in activities that could help them recover.
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Manipulation
People with this character defect often use manipulation to get what they want from others. They may lie, cheat, or use emotional manipulation to get what they want.
Obsession
Individuals who are obsessed with drugs or alcohol may be unable to focus on anything else. Their thoughts may be consumed by their addiction, and they might feel like they need to use in order to function.
Pride
People who struggle with pride may have difficulty admitting that they need help. They may be too proud to seek treatment, and they may believe that they can overcome their addiction by themselves.
Self-pity
This character defect can lead individuals to feel sorry for themselves and believe that they are powerless over their addiction. This can prevent them from taking responsibility for their recovery and from making positive changes in their lives.
What is a 12 step program?
The 12-step set of guiding principles outlines a course of recovery from addiction, compulsion, and other behavioral problems. The 12 steps were initially put into practice in 1939 in the Alcoholics Anonymous fellowship. The program has since been adapted for use in a wide variety of other contexts, including but not limited to drug addiction, gambling addiction, sex addiction, and food addiction.
The 12 steps are commonly presented as a linear progression through which addicts use to implement a personal program of recovery. However, it is important to note that the steps are not intended to be completed in order; rather, they are meant to be worked on simultaneously as a way of working through the various aspects of addiction recovery.
Things to consider when looking at your character defects inventory
When it comes to addressing character defects in 12 step programs, there are a few key things that you need to keep in mind. First and foremost, it is important to realize that these defects are a part of who you are and that they are not going to go away overnight. It is also important to understand that these defects can be addressed and worked on, but it is going to take time, patience, and effort.
One of the best ways to address character defects in 12 step programs is to start by working on yourself. This means taking a close look at your own life and identifying areas where you may have some work to do. It is also important to be honest with yourself about your character defects. Once you have taken a good look at yourself, you can then start working on addressing these defects.
Who to work on your character defects with
The best ways to address character defects is to work with a sponsor or therapist. These are people who can help you work through your issues and help you develop healthy coping mechanisms. Working with a sponsor or therapist can be extremely helpful, as they can offer you support and guidance as you work through your character defects.
In addition to working with a sponsor or therapist, another great way to address character defects in 12 step programs is to attend meetings. These meetings provide a great opportunity for you to share your experiences and learn from others who are dealing with similar issues. Attending meetings can also help you to develop a support network of people who understand what you are going through and can offer you advice and support.
Addressing character defects in 12 step programs is tough, but it is possible. By taking the time to work on yourself, being honest about your character defects, and working with a sponsor or therapist, you can begin to make progress in addressing these defects. Remember, it will take time, patience, and effort, but it is possible to address your character defects and live a healthier life.
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Emerald Isle Health & Recovery: Overcome Character Defects!
The 12 step program is an important part of addiction recovery for many people, but it is only one part. There are many other aspects to recovery from addiction.
It starts with detoxification, which involves eliminating all the alcohol and drugs from your body. This can only be done safely by listing the help of professional drug and alcohol treatment services, with our medical detox at Emerald Isle.
These services can also provide you with counseling and group therapy, which you can see as being an “in-depth introduction to yourself”, following years of substance abuse.
Do you want to become a better version of yourself? Contact Emerald Isle Health & Recovery today for a confidential discussion of our programs!