Many people beginning their recovery journey hear the phrase “defects of character” and wonder what it means. This term comes up often in support groups and addiction treatment settings, but it isn’t always explained in simple terms.
Everyone has traits or habits that can cause problems in their lives or relationships. In recovery, these patterns may play a bigger role in making change difficult. Defects of character are not unique to people with substance use disorders. But Twelve Steps Programs often facilitate discussions around character defects and their potential impact on people’s lives.
What are Defects of Character?
A defect of character is a persistent negative personality trait or behavior pattern that gets in the way of recovery and personal growth. These are habits, attitudes, or ways of thinking that create problems in daily life, especially during the process of getting sober.
The term comes from Twelve Step programs and recovery literature. It’s used to name the traits that may have contributed to addictive behavior in the past. Think of character defects as the automatic reactions people have that don’t serve them well, and may be hard to identify because of it being so automatic.
Why Character Defects Affect Sobriety
There’s a clear connection between character defects and relapse risk in recovery. When underlying issues aren’t addressed, people are more likely to repeat old behaviors.
Specific defects of character can influence the course of recovering from addiction, as shown in these examples:
- Self-centeredness: Isolates a person from support systems and makes it hard to accept help.
- Resentment: Holding grudges creates emotional triggers that can lead to substance use.
- Dishonesty: Undermines accountability and trust with yourself and others.
- Denial: Prevents you from seeing problems clearly and seeking support.
Addressing character defects can help create a strong foundation for lasting sobriety and personal growth.
Examples of Common Character Defects
Below are examples of character defects, including how these traits can show up in daily life and why they may be problematic in recovery. Not every character defect has this impact, and they may not present the same way in every person.
These examples are among the most commonly recognized character defects as named in literature from Alcoholics Anonymous. Some recovery literature contain lists with many more defects, but focusing on the main patterns is usually most helpful for real change.
Dishonesty
Dishonesty includes lying to others, deceiving yourself, or downplaying problems. In recovery, this might mean hiding struggles or pretending that everything is fine. This makes it difficult to build trust and receive the support you need.
Selfishness and Self-Centeredness
Selfishness is putting your own needs above everyone else’s. Self-centeredness is seeing things only from your own perspective. In recovery, these traits can damage relationships and prevent the learning of healthy ways to care for yourself while considering others.
Anger and Resentment
Anger and resentment can become character defects when they’re chronic or unaddressed. Holding onto anger can lead to substances as a way to cope. Learning to let go of resentment is important for emotional health in recovery.
Fear and Anxiety
Fear-based decision making can keep a person stuck in unhealthy patterns. For example, someone might avoid asking for help because they’re afraid of judgment. In recovery, facing fears helps you grow and make healthier choices.
Impulsivity
Impulsivity means acting without thinking about consequences. Impulsive behavior can lead to risky behaviors or relapse triggers. In recovery, learning to pause and think before acting is essential for avoiding negative outcomes.
Pride or Arrogance
Excessive pride or arrogance can stop you from asking for help or admitting when you’re wrong. In recovery, humility helps you stay open to learning and growth.
How to Identify Character Defects
Creating your own list of character defects can be done through honest self-reflection. This process is sometimes called a 4th step inventory (or moral inventory) in 12-step programs.
Start by observing your behaviors and attitudes without harsh judgment. Notice patterns in your relationships and daily actions. Look for repeated challenges or conflicts that might reveal underlying traits.
You can also seek feedback from trusted people in your life, such as:
- Sponsors or mentors in recovery programs
- Therapists or counselors
- Close friends who know you well
- Family members who support your recovery
Structured tools like worksheets or inventories can help organize your observations. These tools can also help with tracking thoughts and behaviors over time.
Some people are more ready for self-examination of character defects than others. Having emotional stability, a strong support system, and some existing self-awareness can make the process more manageable.
How to Overcome Character Defects
Practical strategies for working on character defects and shortcomings include:
Practice Self-Reflection
Self-reflection involves paying close attention to your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. You can do this through journaling, meditation, or open conversations with others. The goal is to observe patterns without shame or harsh self-criticism.
Build Accountability with Others
Accountability means involving others in your process of change, and allowing them to react honestly when you fall short. Sponsors, therapists, and support groups offer feedback and encourage ongoing personal growth. Being open with others helps track progress and provides connection.
Therapy and Counseling
Therapy provides structured support for exploring character defects. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) are two approaches that focus on changing thought patterns and behaviors.
Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness activities like breathing exercises or guided meditation help to bring awareness to the present moment. This practice helps you recognize triggers and behavior patterns before acting on them.
Monitor Your Progress
Regular self-checks and discussions with others help evaluate changes over time. You can make adjustments based on what you learn through this ongoing process.
Replacing negative traits with positive ones is often part of the process of self-improvement in addiction recovery. For example, honesty can take the place of dishonesty, and humility can be practiced instead of pride. No one is perfect, and mistakes will still happen. But the overall goal should be to not allow character defects to sabotage your pursuit of recovery.
Character Defects in 12-Step Programs
Twelve-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous have specific steps that address character defects. These steps provide structure for identifying and addressing negative patterns:
- Step 4: Taking a personal inventory (often called the AA character defects list)
- Step 5: Admitting these defects to another person
- Step 6: Becoming ready to have these defects removed
- Step 7: Asking for removal of these defects
In AA and similar programs, “shortcomings” and “character defects” are often used to mean the same thing. Some groups refer to specific traits or definitions, but the core process remains focused on recognizing and working on traits that interfere with healthy living. The goal is honest self-examination and ongoing personal growth.
Character defects describe specific traits or behaviors that can be changed. They don’t represent your entire character or worth as a person. Recognizing this distinction allows you to approach personal growth with self-compassion.
Heal From Addiction at First Steps Recovery
Recovery is often a gradual process that involves examining your actions, making adjustments, and learning new ways of relating to others. Support from peers, professionals, and structured programs helps make this ongoing work possible.
First Steps Recovery provides support for individuals at all stages of recovery, including help with identifying and addressing character defects through our comprehensive treatment programs. Contact us today for more information about how we can support your journey of recovery.
FAQs About Character Defects in Recovery
Can character defects come back after I've worked on them?
Character defects can resurface during recovery. Recognizing them early and using recovery tools like self-reflection or reaching out for support can help address them when they return.
What's the difference between character defects and normal personality traits?
Character defects are ongoing negative patterns that cause harm to yourself or others and interfere with healthy living. Normal personality traits don’t necessarily cause problems just by being present in the person.
How long does it take to overcome character defects in addiction recovery?
There’s no specific timeline for overcoming character defects. Working on overcoming long-held patterns is an ongoing process that often continues throughout recovery. Progress usually happens gradually over time.
Can I work on character defects without joining a 12-step program?
Yes. You can address character defects through therapy, counseling, or other recovery programs without joining a 12-step group. Many treatment approaches can help people identify and change negative patterns.
Dr. Curl is the Medical Director and primary on-site provider for First Steps Recovery. He is a Board Certified Internist and Addiction Medicine Specialist having attended the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and completing his residency at Mount Auburn Hospital with Harvard Medical School. Following several years work as an internist and physiatrist (physical medicine and rehabilitation). Dr. Curl completed the Addiction Medicine Fellowship at Howard University in Washington DC and participated as a RAM Scholar (Research in Addiction Medicine). While part of the fellowship, Dr. Curl pursued research investigating the barriers to expanding and improving medication for opioid use disorder. Following his fellowship, Dr. Curl spearheaded the Opiate Use Disorder outpatient clinic and worked in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences within the Howard University Hospital. In 2023, Dr. Curl completed his Board Certification in Addiction Medicine.
