the 1st step of alcoholics anonymous

“Keep coming back, it works if you work it”

—Recovery saying

The 12 steps were initially designed to help treat the addiction of alcoholism and later was extended to Narcotics Anonymous.  Around since the 1930’s,  they have survived the test of time simply because they work.  There is so much truth packed into these.  But there is no reason to overthink these.  I only want to expound on them a little.  This will give you a little more insight into their importance and hopefully inspire you to start your journey today.   And, as they say “every journey starts with the 1st step.”   So, we will start there as well.

Step 1: We admitted we were powerless-that our lives had become unmanageable.

We are powerless. We are flakes of dust, stuck to a rock, that is floating into oblivion.

The  1st step in the 12 steps of Recovery is a conundrum.   I have never liked giving up my power.  I have always fought to sustain my self-determinism, my liberty, my independence.  I do not like to think that I have no control over my own destiny.

Are you powerless? Do you have the power to change? The power to take charge?  The power to control your mind? The power to control your actions? The power to change your life?

But, the true power is in the surrender.  For after the gut twisting confession of your wretched condition,  only then are you able to move on.  So, in your powerlessness, you become free.  It is not about releasing responsibility but about taking ownership.  Once you own it, you can release it.

How can you keep going, if your life is unmanageable?  This not whether or not your life is unmanageable.  When your are powerless to your addiction, then your life is unmanageable.

You must make a change.  At the bottom, there is only room for death.  But you are alive.  And in your powerlessness, you come to the 2nd step.