Author: Charles Frank

The Power in the First Step: Accepting Powerlessness For Recovery

That said, we understand the language of Alcoholics Anonymous often does not avoid using the term “alcoholic.” You might be avoiding taking the first step toward recovery due to myths and misunderstandings surrounding AA and its steps. But the terminal stages of addiction will strip everything away, and an addicted person who refuses to recover will often be left with nothing. Other 12-step programs include Al-Anon, Gamblers Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, Sexaholics Anonymous, and others.

Narcotics Anonymous (NA)

  1. This section explores what powerlessness means in the context of sobriety and emphasizes the strength that can be found in accepting it.
  2. It involves acknowledging and accepting that addiction is a complex force that cannot be controlled or managed through sheer willpower.
  3. It’s a moment of profound self-realization and humility, opening the door to hope, healing and transformation.
  4. Families can also find support in 12 step based self-help in groups such as Al-anon and Nar-Anon.
  5. When you admit that you are powerless to addiction, you are empowered to reach out for support.
  6. This liberation allows us to live more authentically, accepting ourselves and our circumstances as they are.

Few people intend to destroy their lives and relationships by drinking or doing drugs, but that is what can happen with addiction. These substances literally rewire brain function, making the need to satisfy a craving take prominence over everything else in life–regardless of the consequences. The AA first step, admitting powerlessness and acknowledging the unmanageability your addiction brings, is a crucial leap toward lasting recovery.

Benefits of Understanding Powerlessness in Sobriety

That anyone approaching the need to change can benefit from the 12 steps regardless of the stage of acceptance that they are in. A person no longer must hit “rock bottom” to be able to engage in recovery. They can step out of the process at any stage by simply acknowledging they need help, even when they don’t exactly see all the places that this help is needed.

Do You Have to Believe in God for 1st Step AA?

You must first adopt attitudes and actions of being honest and sacrificing your time and energy to help yourself and other sufferers. Joi Honer directs the operations that support our alumni in their recovery from mental health and substance use disorders. Ms. Honer, who has been in long-term recovery for over 40 years, has worked in the treatment field for over 33 years. She holds certifications in addiction and co-occurring disorder counseling and a bachelor’s degree in addiction studies, having graduated summa cum laude.

What is Admitting Powerlessness Over Alcohol or Drugs?

In sobriety, accepting limitations and vulnerability is an essential aspect of embracing powerlessness. Addiction can create a false sense of invincibility, leading individuals to believe they are immune to consequences and can handle any situation. However, the reality is that addiction makes individuals vulnerable and exposes their limitations. Accepting these limitations and acknowledging vulnerability is a powerful step towards personal growth and recovery. It involves recognizing the need for support, seeking help when necessary, and understanding that it’s okay to ask for assistance.

In essence, in Step One you’re making a conscious choice to recognize out loud you have a problematic relationship with substances. Step one asks you to identify out loud that you have continued to use substances despite this use impacting your life and or the lives of others negatively. It is a beautiful paradox, that being “powerless” can ultimately empower one to make significant meaningful long-lasting change. You might not be ready to take the first step at your first AA meeting, and that’s okay. It’s not easy to admit our inability resist alcohol or internal humiliation, but you’re not alone. If you want to reap the positive benefits of AA, you must accept your alcoholic abuse disorder and its consequences.

Step One AA acknowledges that not only are you powerless over alcohol, but your life has also become unmanageable as a result. This unmanageability often manifests in various ways, such as deteriorating relationships, declining physical and mental health and a growing sense of despair. Recognizing this unmanageability is crucial because it propels individuals toward seeking help and making lasting changes. You may view alcoholism as a weakness of your character or will, but this view may hinder your ability to accept you have an alcohol use disorder. Your alcohol addiction is a physical compulsion beyond your control—a progressive illness that defies common sense.

When alcoholism or alcohol use disorder begins to take control of a family, usually one of the first things to go is honesty. The person with the problem often lies about how much they drink and those around them may begin to cover for them as the problem progresses. Some people believe AA is intricately tied to religion by seeking a “higher power.” Rather, AA members are encouraged to understand they’re powerless in changing their addictive behavior. In fact, many members don’t perceive a need for a “higher power.” Instead of seeking spirituality, which helps in recovery, they seek assistance from the AA fellowship. You may have noticed your life in chaos—maybe you’ve lost your home, your job, your family, your possessions, or your self-respect. Regardless of how you got to this point, Step 1 of AA is merely realizing that your alcohol abuse disorder was interfering negatively with your life, and you need to change.

In conclusion, embracing powerlessness in sobriety is a vital aspect of the recovery journey. It involves acknowledging and accepting that addiction is a complex force that cannot be controlled or managed through sheer willpower. By recognizing powerlessness, individuals can let go of old patterns, seek support from others, and develop healthier coping mechanisms. By recognizing and embracing these examples of powerlessness in sobriety, individuals can navigate their recovery journey with a greater sense of self-awareness, humility, and resilience. For many addicted to alcohol and drugs, it’s difficult to admit the way addiction has made their lives unmanageable.