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“If [character defects] contributed to our health and happiness, we would not have come to such a state of desperation.”
– Basic Text, page 34
The Sixth and Seventh Steps of Narcotics Anonymous challenge us to confront our defects of character and ask a Higher Power to remove them. This process is often uncomfortable, as it forces us to face aspects of ourselves that we’d rather hide. Yet, letting go of these defects is essential for growth and recovery. It requires humility, faith, and a willingness to trust in a power greater than ourselves to guide us toward freedom and peace.
When we first begin the Sixth and Seventh Steps, it’s common to feel overwhelmed by the idea of examining our defects. We may view ourselves as broken, riddled with flaws, and unworthy of connection. This self-judgment can make us want to hide from others, fearing that our inadequacies will be exposed.
But recovery is not about achieving perfection—it’s about progress. It’s important to remember that everyone in recovery has their own defects to work through. By sharing honestly with our sponsor and others in the fellowship, we discover that we are not alone in our struggles.
Our initial response to identifying defects might be to control or suppress them. We may become hyper-aware of our words and actions, scrutinizing every interaction for evidence of our shortcomings. This hyper-vigilance, however, often backfires.
The more we focus on controlling our defects, the more entrenched they become. This is because the energy we devote to suppressing them only reinforces their presence in our minds. Trying to manage our defects on our own is a losing battle—it mirrors the same self-will and control that failed to manage our addiction.
Humility is the key to working the Sixth and Seventh Steps. It begins with acknowledging that we cannot remove our defects on our own. Just as we admitted powerlessness over our addiction in Step One, we must admit powerlessness over our defects in Step Seven.
Instead of trying to control or fix ourselves, we surrender to a loving Higher Power. This surrender is not a sign of weakness but a profound act of faith. By asking for help, we open ourselves to the possibility of transformation.
Letting go of our defects can be challenging, even when those defects cause us pain. Sometimes, we cling to them because they feel familiar or because we fear what life might look like without them.
Yet holding on is exhausting. Maintaining the behaviors and attitudes associated with our defects requires constant effort. When we truly consider the toll these defects take on our lives, we realize that letting go is not only necessary but liberating.
When we ask our Higher Power to remove our defects, we don’t need to know how or when it will happen. Our job is simply to be willing, to trust, and to stay open to the process.
As we let go of our defects and allow our Higher Power to work in our lives, we begin to experience freedom. This freedom isn’t about becoming perfect; it’s about becoming more authentic, more honest, and more aligned with the principles of recovery.
We find that our relationships improve, as we no longer react from a place of fear or self-centeredness. We gain a sense of peace, knowing that we don’t have to carry the burden of fixing ourselves. And we discover a deeper connection to our Higher Power, as we witness the changes that come from surrender.