Topic: I've gone through the steps now what?

Topic: I've gone through the steps now what?

What are the common struggles and victories in addiction recovery? This AA workshop talk from Arnor K. of Oslo, originally given in New Orleans in 2015, zooms in on a very specific question many sober people quietly ask themselves: "I've gone through the steps… now what?" Speaking as a long‑time member who has sponsored others and tried plenty of different ways of doing inventory, Arnor keeps things real, funny, and a bit irreverent.

He talks about how easy it is to start "worshipping methods" – clinging to one way of doing the steps or inventory and mistaking the method for the message. As he puts it, "The method I use and the method you use is not important.

There is a lot of room for experimentation." You’ll hear him share concrete tools for keeping recovery alive after the first pass through the steps: things like "laser inventory", "theatre of the lie", the Bill Wilson exercise, and looking again at belief and faith in Chapter Four of the Big Book. But he keeps coming back to one central theme: it’s really about being there for the newcomer and giving away what was freely given.

Arnor also reflects on success, ego, and losing sight of why AA matters, telling stories about career wins, shiny cars, and the moment he wondered, "What do I need AA for?" A simple spiritual experience – and a phone call from a struggling drunk – brought him back to what counts.

With blunt humour and honesty, he reminds the audience that "the blood of AA is newcomers" and challenges anyone who feels bored or stuck in long‑term sobriety to pick up the tools again, make amends, and help someone else. As he says, "If AA is just a meeting for you, you're missing out.

You're selling yourself short, real short." If you've ever thought "is this all there is?" after doing the steps, this talk might be exactly what you need to hear.