Drop the Rock: What Steps 6, 7 and 10 Mean, and How They Help You Stay Sober

What Does "Drop the Rock" Mean in Recovery?

Imagine you're swimming toward a boat called Recovery. You're almost there, but something is pulling you under. That "rock" dragging you down? It’s fear, resentment, anger and self-pity—the emotional weights you carried around in active addiction to help justify your actions. When you finally let go, you rise. You reach the boat. You begin to heal.

That’s the heart of Drop the Rock, a beloved metaphor in Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s more than a story: it's a call to release the burdens that keep you stuck. And it’s deeply tied to AA’s Steps 6, 7 and 10.

Want to Dive Deeper? Download a free 70+ page excerpt of Drop the Rock

Steps 6 and 7: Letting Go of Character Defects

You've probably felt it—the sting of regret, the grip of fear, the loop of self-pity. These aren't just passing emotions. They're patterns that sabotage your recovery.

Step 6 asks you to become entirely ready to let go of these defects. Step 7 invites you to humbly ask your Higher Power to remove them.

But this isn't a one-time fix. You don't wake up one morning free from anger or fear. You grow by practicing these steps every day—by noticing when you've picked up those "rocks" again and choosing to let them go, one moment and one day at a time.

Step 10: Your Daily Compass in Recovery

Step 10 keeps you honest. It's about taking personal inventory and admitting when you're wrong. This step helps you stay alert to the subtle ways your character defects creep back in.

You might notice tension in a conversation or guilt after a decision. Step 10 helps you pause, reflect and reset. It's your daily check-in with yourself and your recovery.

When you stay honest about how you're showing up—and how those "rocks" are manifesting—growth becomes inevitable.

Related Reading: Step 10 of AA: Personal Inventory | Hazelden Betty Ford

The Ripple Effect: How Your Growth Impacts Others

When you drop the rock, you don't just change your own life. You send ripples outward. Your courage, humility and honesty affect your family, your coworkers, your community.

And when you stumble, those ripples still matter. You learn. You grow. You show others that recovery isn't about perfection. It's about progress—and picking yourself up, day after day, to find the beauty that's everywhere and inherent in living.

You Don't Have to Carry the Rock Alone

If you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck or unsure where to begin, you're not alone. Whether you're just starting your recovery journey or you've been sober for years, Hazelden Betty Ford is here to help.

Call Now to Speak Confidentially with a Recovery Expert: 1-866-831-5700