So if you tell your sponsor or other safe person that you drank as soon as you can after sobering up, it can be a way of admitting you are powerless over alcohol. 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.
- Step One AA acknowledges that not only are you powerless over alcohol, but your life has also become unmanageable as a result.
- In sobriety, accepting limitations and vulnerability is an essential aspect of embracing powerlessness.
- In the long term, maintaining abstinence from alcohol and drugs requires a lot of effort.
- A medical detox will help you safely and comfortably withdraw from drugs & alcohol.
- When you lay it all out, you will see that you did not have control in those moments.
- It frees you up to focus your time and energy on things that are within your control.
I’m Seeking Help
We live in a society that tells us we should be able to figure out our problems and overcome challenges on our own; that if we can’t, we’re weak. Being open to trying something new requires a great deal of courage because it’s an admission that you don’t have all the answers. Completing Step 1 of Alcoholics Anonymous can look different for everyone. It may include tasks such as speaking at an AA meeting, telling someone if you feel like drinking, working with a counselor, getting an AA sponsor, and/or telling someone if you do drink.
What is AA?
Meditation practices, such as guided meditation or mindfulness meditation, can also be beneficial in fostering self-reflection and acceptance. According to Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions (1981), “Few indeed were those who, so assailed, had ever won through in singlehanded combat. It was a statistical fact that alcoholics rarely recovered on their own resources” (p. 22). Members of Alcoholics Anonymous or Al-Anon Family Groups present some great insight into the healing principles of the 12 steps.
Why Is Admitting Powerlessness the 1st Step in AA?
- An intervention from loved ones can help some people recognize and accept that they need professional help.
- The phrasing can be confusing or dated, and when people first encounter Step 1, they’re likely to pause at the idea of being powerless while others scratch their heads at «life has become unmanageable.»
- When we acknowledge that we are not in control of everything, we learn to trust the process of recovery and surrender our will to a higher power or a greater collective wisdom.
- By taking this step, you acknowledge that your alcohol use has come to a point where you cannot control it.
- In addition to support groups, individual therapy or counseling can provide a confidential and supportive environment for exploring feelings of powerlessness and developing coping strategies.
A crucial part of completing AA Step one revolves around admitting powerlessness. Step 1 of AA requires a great deal of strength and courage as you accept that alcohol has taken over your life. Recognizing your powerlessness over alcohol isn’t a sign of weakness but rather an acknowledgment of the addiction’s strength. Many who powerless over alcohol struggle with alcoholism have tried to control or moderate their drinking, only to find themselves repeatedly falling into the same destructive patterns. Step One AA emphasizes the futility of attempting to manage something that’s proven uncontrollable. You might not be ready the first time you decide to attend a meeting.
Understanding powerlessness in sobriety can help you manage your addiction. By relinquishing control over your addiction, you are now free to get help and support from others. If your pattern of drinking results in repeated significant distress and problems functioning in your daily life, you likely have alcohol use disorder. However, even a mild disorder can escalate and lead to serious problems, so early treatment is important.
Step 1 of AA: Admitting Powerlessness Over Alcohol
