Happy Thanksgiving

We here at Your Daily Fix hope that your Thanksgiving Holiday is safe, sober and clean and that you enjoy all the blessings that you have been given this past year and anticipate those yet to come.  Those of us that have been in the Recovery arena for a few days know all too well just how important it is to have an "attitude of gratitude".  This time of year is the perfect time to enhance our gratitude list.  And if you haven't started yours yet it's especially a good time to do that also.  


The Thanksgiving Song - IgniterMedia.com from ignitermedia on GodTube.

Thanks for visiting us – come back soon.

Remember:  “It is what it is and “it ain’t nothing but a thang!” 

September is National Recovery Month

We found two sites with some really good information concerning Recovery Month and Recovery in general.  Please show your support by participating in Recovery events in your area.

www.ncadd.org/index.php/for-the-media/press-releases-a-news-articles/356-september-is-national-recovery-month

Recovery Month promotes the societal benefits of prevention, treatment, and recovery for substance use and mental disorders, celebrates people in recovery, lauds the contributions of treatment and service providers, and promotes the message that recovery in all its forms is possible. Recovery Month spreads the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, that prevention works, treatment is effective and people can and do recover. 

www.recoverymonth.gov

Join us again soon.

 

Until then ……. be sure to tell a friend about us.

Thanks for visiting us – come back soon.

Remember:  “It is what it is and “it ain’t nothing but a thing!”  

Away for a Bit!

Due to difficulties, the Blog will be down for a bit.  However, please feel free to take this time to review the information here.  If you have questions, comments and/or suggestions, please feel free to contact us also.

We hope you will come back again soon!!

Step 1 - Recap 6

Step 1: “We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction(s)/compulsive behaviors-that our lives had become unmanageable.”

Welcome back folks.  At this point in our examination of Step 1 we had a reader to submit a question us.  Let’s take another look at that question and review our answer.

Q:  “So, are you saying that I have to lose everything in order to recover?”

First, we corrected the misconception that we lose anything due to our addiction/compulsive behaviors.  We accomplished this by explaining that we don’t actually lose anything because of our addiction/compulsive behaviors – we actually give them up and/or away.  For example; if you are busted due to DUI and your license are taken away, you didn’t lose them.   They are either with the police or the courts.  If we have been fired or asked to resign from our employment, our position isn’t lost, we just no longer fill it.  If we’ve been evicted from our dwelling, it isn’t lost; we just no longer reside there. Get what we’re saying? 

After having straightened out that misunderstanding we were then ready to answer the question.  Simply put, the answer is No.  While we all have to experience our own “rock bottom”, that bottom is different for each of us.  So, No, not everyone will have to give up their family, job, vehicle, dwelling, dignity, health etc. in order to Recover from their addiction/compulsive behavior.

Warning!!  This brings us to an even more dangerous pitfall concerning our unmanageability and that is where we will pick it up next time.

Until then........be sure to tell a friend about us.

Thanks for visiting us - come back soon.

Remember: "It is what it is and "it ain't nothing but a thang!"

Step 1 - Recap 5

Step 1: “We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction(s)/compulsive behaviors-that our lives had become unmanageable.”

Welcome back folks.  We began our discussion on “unmanageable” saying that many in our ranks have as much trouble with stating the “our lives had become unmanageable” portion of Step 1 as there are those who struggled with the admitting they were powerless.

Because they had not given everything away due to their addiction, they did not recognize the real “unmanageable” areas of their lives that this Step is talking about.   They saw themselves as better or luckier that the rest of us.  “We” show up at meeting walking or riding a bike. “We” live in half-way houses or shelters or on the streets.  “We” do not have a job, etc.  Yet they entered Recovery “intact”. 

While a small number of them were truly blessed in that their “bottom” seemed like the sky to most of us, the majority in this group will go back out and/or relapse.  Because of their “denial” that this part of Step 1 pertained to them, they mostly ignored it.  This is a disastrous pitfall to stumble into.  If we are truly “powerless” over our addiction/compulsive behaviors, then every part of every Step pertains to us.  Period!! 

This “denial” causes this group to Not be able to “completely” give themselves over to this simple program of Recovery.  Remember, if the foundation is bad nothing that you try to build on it will last.

That’s where we will pick it up next time.

Until then........be sure to tell a friend about us.

Thanks for visiting us - come back soon.

Remember: "It is what it is and "it ain't nothing but a thang!"

Step 1 Recap 4

 Step 1: “We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction(s)/compulsive behaviors-that our lives had become unmanageable.”

Welcome back folks.  Last time we talked about the power that our mind has over us and it’s ability to convince us that the Lie is the Truth, even when we know otherwise.  

Our mind is a terrible thing to waste yet it’s also a great enemy of our Recovery.

Additionally, our minds can make us believe that we are okay.  We don’t have a problem. We can handle it. We won’t do that again.  It’s everyone else’s fault. Etc, etc.

Remember coming to and you didn’t know where you were?  Or coming to and you couldn’t remember how you got home?  Have you ever been arrested due to your drinking/drugging?  Have you ever Hurt someone that you loved because of your drinking or using?  Have you ever lied about your using or drinking?  Ever driven or went to work buzzed or high?   Have you ever stolen to support your addiction?  Have you ever sold your dignity to support your habit?  

These are things that most of us would not normally do…..yet we do them.  Sadly, we honestly can’t help it.  Because we are powerless over our addiction/compulsive behavior-our life Has become unmanageable.

That’s where we’ll pick it up next time. 

Until then........be sure to tell a friend about us.

Thanks for visiting us - come back soon.

Remember: "It is what it is and "it ain't nothing but a thing!"

Step 1 Recap 3

Step 1: “We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction(s)/compulsive behaviors-that our lives had become unmanageable.”

Welcome back folks.  Last time we left off with a question.  So what happened?  Our stinking thinking that’s what.  The power of our mind harnessed for our demise.  In our addictive state our mind can have us believing that a Lie is the Truth.  You know what I’m talking about here folks.  We become convinced that it’s okay for us to steal, cheat, lie, drink and drug.  We run around on our spouse. We are late for work- that is if we show up at all.  We throw our dignity and self respect out the window.  Yada yada.  And we believe that it’s alright to do so.

Here’s the paradox—we convince ourselves that it’s all okay because we Need that drink and/or fix.   Yet, we are sure that we don’t have a problem.  We can handle it.  We’ll do better next time.  Talk about a warped situation.  Yet we don’t have a problem?

That’s why most of us, when we first came to the tables, the senior members of the fellowship instructed us to just sit quietly for a while and to forget anything and everything that we thought that we knew because we really didn’t know anything.  But we sure thought that we did!!

That’s where we will pick it up next time.    

Until then........be sure to tell a friend about us.

Thanks for visiting us - come back soon.

Remember: "It is what it is and "it ain't nothing but a thing!"

Step 1 Recap 2

Step 1: “We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction(s)/compulsive behaviors-that our lives had become unmanageable.”

Welcome back folks.  Today we pick back up with our recap of Step 1. 

Powerless - "devoid of strength or resources; lacking the authority or capacity to act".  

This is perhaps the biggest stumbling block that many of us face when we first come into the rooms.  Most people especially addicts do not want to admit that they are powerless over anything.  On the contrary we think that we are in complete control and have it all together.  We struggle with this idea of “powerless”.  Many of us try to find an easier softer way.  Most of us lie, cheat and/or ignore this principle altogether.  How well did that work for us?  If we are honest the only true answer is that it didn't.  The fact is, until we can completely and honestly turn ourselves over to this simple program, we cannot successfully Recover!  And it all starts with the truthful admission of our powerlessness over our D.O.C.

How many times have we promised ourselves and others that we would not drink/use anymore?  Frankly, for the majority or us, we meant it.  We were sincere.  So why did we do it again?  Truthfully, we “lacked the capacity to act” rightly.  We, on our own, do not have enough strength or will power to not pickup or use.  We mean well and we sometimes actually do manage for a short time but then something happens and we are right back where we left off.  So what happened? 

That’s where we will pick it up next time.

Until then........be sure to tell a friend about us.

Thanks for visiting us - come back soon.

Remember: "It is what it is and "it ain't nothing but a thing!"

Step 1 - Recap 1

Step 1: “We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction/compulsive behavior – that our lives had become unmanageable."

Welcome back folks.  Today we begin our Recap on Step 1.  Although each Step is vital to our Recovery, Step 1 is the only Step that has to be worked perfectly.  There is no room for short cuts, flaws, just getting by or good enough and no reserve with this Step if we are to Recover.

Many have entered into our rooms and sat at our tables with the notion that “here” they would learn how to control their drinking/using.  Our fellowship, if you work it, will show you how to Recover, but we will not and cannot show you how to continue to use in a controllable manner.

This misconception has proved fatal for many.  If we are truly addicted, there is no magic formula to teach us how to control our continued use and abuse of our DOC.

As we have mentioned in this blog many times, drinking/using isn’t our real problem.  It is only a symptom of something much deeper.  Many of us have abstained for periods of time.  Some of us for long periods only to pick up/use again.

If you have looked, none of the 12 Step Recovery Programs even mention “abstinence” in their first Step.  Ever wondered why?  It’s because while abstinence from our Doc is a start it isn’t the solution to our problem.  Abstinence alone will not lead us to Recovery.

What leads us to Recovery is the realization and conviction of what we state in that First Step. “We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction that our lives had become unmanageable.

That’s where we will pick it up next time.

Until then ……. be sure to tell a friend about us.

Thanks for visiting us – come back soon.

Remember:  “It is what it is and “it ain’t nothing but a thing!”      

Memorial Day

From Your Daily Fix - A heartfelt "Thank You" to all of our military, those who are no longer with us as well as those who are, for your service to this country so that we might enjoy the freedoms we have today. 

 

 

Step One - Interrupt

Unmanageable: difficult or impossible to control, use or manipulate

Step 1: We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction(s) and compulsive behavior, that our lives had become unmanageable.

Welcome back folks.  Before we begin our recap on Step 1, we need to take a moment to address an issue that we have experienced here at Your Daily Fix Blog. 

First, we need to apologize to one of our readers.  Someone anonymously submitted a question and due to a procedural mishap we just recently discovered it.  Your questions and comments are very important to us here at YDF blog, we take all of them seriously and our goal is to respond to each one quickly and honestly.  We have put into place new procedures so that this does not happen anymore.  So again, we apologize for not getting to this sooner.

Since there was no contact information given with this question, the only way we know to answer it is to post the question and answer.  (Folks we truly understand hesitation to submit your information but remember our pledge to you is that we will never share, rent, sell, spam or otherwise misuse your information.)  While we are an anonymous program it would be beneficial if you would include at least an e-mail address so that if we need to clarify something then we could contact you.

Now onto the question.

Q   How do I learn to manage my life again?

A:  Since we have only just begun our examination of the 12 Steps the most accurate and honest answer that we should give at this time is this;

By entering into a 12 Step Recovery Program you have made the right move towards recovering manageability of your life.  However, since we did not get into our situations overnight, regaining manageability of it will not come overnight either.  There is much work to be done yet before that can be truly accomplished.  We suggest that you stay with your Recovery Program, work the Steps, use the tools that have been laid at your feet, continue to read this and other sites, be honest, open minded and willing to follow direction and manageability will return to your life.

To go deeper into this subject at this time would to be rushing and we would be doing you and our other readers a great injustice if we did that.  Remember, we are not in a race.  We must take each Step in order- working them honestly and completely in order to Recover.  If we will do this, then the promises of the Program will come true in our lives.  So hang in there, work honestly and Never Give Up!

If you or anyone else would like to discuss this question further please contact us.  We are glad to work on a one on one basis.  That’s where we will end today.  We will start our highlight of Step 1 next time.

Until then ……. be sure to tell a friend about us.

Thanks for visiting us – come back soon.

Remember:  “It is what it is and “it ain’t nothing but a thing!”     

Step 1 – Unmanageable – Ignorance Concluded

Unmanageable: difficult or impossible to control, use, or manipulate

Step 1:  We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction(s) and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable.

Welcome back folks. 

Last time we talked about our ignorance concerning the “unmanageability” of our lives.  We said that while the obvious areas of our unmanageable lives were bad, it is the deeper area that’s the most dangerous to us.

Remember, Step 1 is the only Step that must be dealt with perfectly.  There is no room for error or short cuts here.  Many of us struggled long and hard with “admitting that we were powerless”, only to breeze through the rest of the Step.   Not realizing what a dangerous and costly mistake that would prove to be. 

Many a relapse can be attributed to our “ignorance “of our “unmanageable” lives.  That is why it is vital that we gain knowledge about our “impossible to control” lives. 

Let’s put it this way “We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction/compulsive behavior, that our lives had become “impossible to control”.  Does that help you to see it?  Did the light bulb come on?  

Think about it for a bit.  That’s where we will pick it up next time.

Until then ……. be sure to tell a friend about us.

Thanks for visiting us – come back soon.

Remember:  “It is what it is and “it ain’t nothing but a thing!”     

Step 1 - Unmanageable - Ignorance

Unmanageable:  difficult or impossible to control, use, or manipulate

Step 1:  We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction(s) and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable.

In our last several posts we have concentrated on two main groups of individuals in Recovery.

The group of us that had given up and/or away everything when we entered Recovery and the group that entered Recovery mostly intact.

These two groups are at extreme opposite ends of the fellowship.  However, there are many of our fellows that are in between these two.  We now invite all our fellow colleagues to join us as we continue to talk about “unmanageable”.

Today, we are going to begin our look at a very dangerous pitfall – Ignorance.

Before you close this window let us explain what we mean here.  Since no one knows everything about everything, we are all ignorant about something-Right.  So there is no shame in being un-informed.  The shame comes when we choose to stay unaware of our condition.  In other words, to have the opportunity to gain knowledge about our addiction(s)/compulsive behavior and refuse to learn, that is true shame.

Our attempt here is to get past the obvious products of unmanageable and to dig deeper into the heart of it.  For example:

**The obvious-we couldn’t manage to keep a job, home, dignity, health, self-respect, family, license, etc.

**The heart-nearly every aspect of our life had become impossible to control due to our powerlessness over our addiction/compulsive behavior.        

This deeper area of unmanageable is the disastrous pit that so many of us stumble and fall into because we are without knowledge concerning the unmanageability of our lives as a result of our powerlessness over our addiction(s)/compulsive behavior.

That’s where we will pick it up next time.

Until then ……. be sure to tell a friend about us.

Thanks for visiting us – come back soon.

Remember:  “It is what it is and “it ain’t nothing but a thing!”     

  

Step 1–Unmanageable-?-Answered

Unmanageable:  difficult or impossible to control, use or manipulate

 Step 1 : We admitted that we were powerless over our addition(s) and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable.

Welcome back folks.   Last time we introduced a question that one of our followers had sent in concerning the April 5, 2013 post.  So, for clarification purposes we spent that post explaining a huge misconception in the Recovery Arena.  Many of us believe that we lose things like our license, job, home, etc. because of our addiction(s).  However, the Truth is, we don’t lose anything due to our addiction/compulsive behaviors, we give them up and/or away.

Now, having dispelled that misconception, let’s take another look at that question and finish answering it.

Q. So, are you saying that I have to lose everything in order to recover?

A. Since everyone’s bottom is different –NO – not everyone will have to give away their home, job, dignity, family, self-respect, health, etc. in order to recover from their addiction/compulsive behaviors.

Remember, we are talking about “our lives had become unmanageable”.  For those of us in the group that have given everything away, we may believe that we understand “unmanageable” better that those that haven’t.  If you are blessed enough to be in the group that entered Recovery “intact”, you might feel that unmanageable doesn’t apply to you.

Both groups are wrong!  While giving away our home, job, family, etc. is a result of unmanageable it is not the problem.  The problem isn’t our drinking/using either.  The problem here is and what we all need to realize in order to successfully Recover lays in the definition of unmanageable - “Impossible to control, use or manipulate”.

This brings us to another even more dangerous misconception about “unmanageable”.

That is where we will pick it up next time.

Until then ……. be sure to tell a friend about us.

Thanks for visiting us – come back soon.

Remember:  “It is what it is and “it ain’t nothing but a thing!”     

  

Step 1 – Unmanageable—Question

Unmanageable:  difficult or impossible to control, use or manipulate

Step 1: We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction(s) and compulsive behavior, that our lives had become unmanageable.

Welcome back folks.  One of our followers sent us a question concerning our last post so we are going to spend some time on it here.  We do thank this follower for submitting their question and invite you to send us your questions and comments.

Q: “So, are you saying that I have to lose everything in order to recover?”

While this is an excellent and valid question, it isn’t easily answered.  A proper answer will be lengthy and in two parts.

First, we don’t actually lose anything to our addiction or in our addictive state…we give it up and/or away.  We constantly hear people, especially the newcomer, say “I lost my license” or “I lost my house” or “I lost my spouse/significant other” or “I lost my job”, etc.  But in reality, we haven’t lost anything.  We generally know where these things are.

If we were busted for driving while under the influence and our license was taken away, we didn’t lose them.  We know where they are…with the police or courts-right.  If we were evicted from our dwelling, it isn’t lost is it?  If we were fired or asked to resign from our employment, our position isn’t lost, we just no longer fill it.  If our spouse/significant other leaves/divorces us, we still know where they are, we just aren’t with them.  If our vehicle was impounded or repossessed, it isn’t actually lost, it’s in the impound lot or with the finance company/bank.  We just don’t have it anymore.  If our health has diminished due to our using, we know where it went-right?

So, truthfully, we don’t lose people, places, things, etc. to our addiction.  In essence, the things that we claim to have lost to our addiction aren’t lost at all.  We, in our addictive state, have just given them up and/or away.

Now that we have clarified that, we will re-examine the question and finish with our answer next time.

Until then ……. be sure to tell a friend about us.

Thanks for visiting us – come back soon.

Remember:  “It is what it is and “it ain’t nothing but a thing!”     

Step 1- Unmanageable

Unmanageable:  difficult or impossible to control, use, or manipulate

Step 1: We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction(s) and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable.

Welcome back folks.  Last time we began with the unmanageable part of this step.  However, it seems that there is a group of us out there that has as much trouble swallowing the “that our lives had become unmanageable” part as there is a group of us that took issue with the “we were powerless” part. 

So, we are cutting to the chase and/or quick with this post.  Surprisingly, there are a lot of us out there that have an issue with admitting that our lives had become unmanageable.  Because they still have a family, a home, a vehicle, a job, etc., they fail to recognize the “real” unmanageable areas that this Step is talking about.

They view themselves as “better” or “luckier” than the rest of us.  “We” show up to meetings walking or on bicycles.  “We” live in shelters or half-way houses. “Our” families have disowned us. “We” are either unemployed or under employed.  “We” have been in jail.  “Our” lives may be unmanageable….but not theirs.

I have known many such individuals.  While a small, small number of them were truly blessed because their bottom seemed like the sky compared to ours, the majority of the folks in this group are in Denial.  Because they did not endure the hardships that most of us have, they did not grasp the “unmanageable” part and basically skipped it.

Unfortunately, most of the people in this category will end up going back out – some will return to the rooms and tables in time - some will not.  Why is that you may be asking- because of their denial, they could not or would not completely give themselves over to this simple program of Recovery.   i.e. Because they hadn’t given everything away due to their addiction, they did not think that their lives had become unmanageable.  So they cheated on that part of Step 1 and when they started to build on that loose and shaky foundation, everything collapsed on them.

Yes, they would utter the words but they did not believe nor did they have the conviction that the “unmanageable” part applied to them.  Therefore, their program foundation was unstable and could not support the other Steps when they tried to build them. 

Remember: Step 1 is the only Step that must be perfect.  There is no room for error on Step 1.  It’s the foundation upon which the other 11 Steps are supported.  If the foundation is faulty…..you won’t get very far in your Recovery Program.

That’s where we will pick it up next time.

Until then ……. be sure to tell a friend about us.

Thanks for visiting us – come back soon.

Remember:  “It is what it is and “it ain’t nothing but a thing!”    

Have A Blessed Easter

Matthew 27:66

Good Friday

Step 1 - Powerless - Conclusion

Powerless:  “devoid of strength or resources; lacking the authority or capacity to act”.

Step 1: We admitted that we were powerless over our addition(s) and compulsive behaviors that our lives had become unmanageable.

Welcome back folks.  Today we will conclude our discussion on the “powerless” part of Step 1, even though we are never finished with this realization. 

Last time we talked about the power that our mind has.  It’s ability to convince us that the Lie is the Truth, even when we know better.  It’s that obsession of the mind that keeps us in our addictive state. 

The mind – a terrible thing to waste - true.  But it is also a huge enemy of our Recovery.

Our minds can make us believe that it’s everyone else’s fault.  I drank/used because she did this or he did that.  I had a bad day at work and I deserve to go out and have a good time.  Man, this weather is so depressing, I need a drink.  I’ll show them, if they want to accuse me of it, then I’ll just go and do it.  Yada yada.  Do you get what we’re saying here? 

At the same time, our mind can convince us that “we didn’t do that”.  You know like the morning after when everyone tells you how you behaved the night before.  Or when you go out to get into your vehicle and there’s a dent in the fender.  Or when you pull up Facebook and see the pictures and declare that that isn’t you.  Or the countless other things that we tell ourselves and others that we didn’t do even though we did.

Additionally, our minds can make us believe that we are okay.  We don’t have a problem.  We can handle it.  We won’t do that again.  Etc. Etc. 

It’s this part of being powerless that leads to the unmanageability of our lives.  Denying that we don’t have a problem when it is so apparent to others that we do.  Telling ourselves that we can handle it only to get smashed the very next time we drink/use.  Declaring that we won’t act that way again only to behave even worse the next time we pick up/use.    

Think about it.  Have you ever came to and didn’t know where you were?  Have you ever came to and couldn’t remember how you got home?  Have you ever been arrested due to your using/drinking?  Have you ever Hurt someone that you cared about or loved because of your using or drinking?  Have you ever lied about your drinking or using?  Have you ever gone to work high or buzzed?  Have you ever had the shakes?  Have you ever found yourself irritable and thought that if I just had a drink I’d be better?  Have you ever stolen anything to support your using? 

These are things that most of us would not normally do…..yet we do them.  And sadly, we can’t help it.  Because we are powerless over our addiction/compulsive behavior….our life has become unmanageable. 

Ponder these things and reflect on examples from your own unmanageable life.  Be honest with yourself.   It’s said that it has to hurt to heal.  That’s where we will pick it up next time.

Until then ……. be sure to tell a friend about us.

Thanks for visiting us – come back soon.

Remember:  “It is what it is and “it ain’t nothing but a thing!”    

 

 

 

 

 

Step 1 - Powerless- Part 3

Welcome back folks.  Last time we left off asking some questions about examples of your powerlessness.

So what did you discover?   Did you see where you might be just a little bit powerless over your addiction and behavior?  If you were honest with this, you should have seen times when you were.  That’s what this is saying here.  It’s not a knock you down some more, make fun of you, disgrace you thing.  It’s a “hey man, me too”.  It’s the admission of our powerlessness that opens the door to our Recovery. 

Our minds are powerful entities.  It has been said that the mind has the ability to heal and to kill.  Harnessing the power of their mind, people have been able to accomplish what was otherwise physically impossible.  Our mind can be both an asset and a liability. 

It’s that liability that we are going to discuss right now.  Our stinking thinking if you will.  In our addictive state we believe the lies that our mind tells us is the Truth.  We can talk ourselves into doing things that we normally wouldn’t be caught dead doing.  Yet we do them and believe that it’s okay!  You know what I’m saying.  We lie, steal, cheat, drink and drug. We become convinced that we are “the man or woman”, that we are better than others and that we don’t have a problem.  We tell ourselves that it’s okay to cheat on our spouse, its okay to be late, it’s okay to say this or that.  It’s alright to hit him or her, it’s alright to do this or that and an infinite number of other lies. 

Herein lays the problem.  Our mind can convince us that, we are okay, we can handle it and we’re not that bad.  In essence, “I don’t have a problem”!  Sound familiar?  I know right!  I used to think the same way.  It’s true.  For years I lived in that illusory state that had me convinced that I was okay, I’d do better next time, I can handle it, I don’t need help etc.  But, you know what?  I wasn’t Okay, I never did better.  I most certainly couldn’t handle it.  Truth is, I was “Living in the Lie”. (posted earlier read it)

That’s where we’ll pick it up next time.  Additionally, we’ll begin to take a look at the unmanageability of our lives.  Understanding the “unmanageable” parts helps us to see the powerlessness sometimes.

Until then ……. be sure to tell a friend about us.

Thanks for visiting us – come back soon.

Remember:  “It is what it is and “it ain’t nothing but a thing!”    

Step 1 - Powerless - Part 2

Step 1: We admitted that we were powerless over our addition(s) and compulsive behaviors that our lives had become unmanageable.

Welcome back folks.  Today we pick back up with “powerless”.  Thanks to those of you that sent us comments on this. 

As stated in our last post, this is perhaps the biggest stumbling block that most of us face when we begin our Recovery Journey.  Very few of us want to admit that we are powerless.  Many of us struggle with this idea.  Many of us try to find an easier softer way when it comes to this.  Many of us try to cheat, lie and even ignore this word altogether.  The fortunate truth is, that until we can admit to this state we cannot successfully Recover. 

So let’s take another look at this word that gives us so much difficulty.  Again, Webster’s defines powerless as “devoid of strength or resources; lacking the authority or capacity to act”.

In practicing our addiction(s) and compulsive behaviors, we find ourselves in situations that we wonder just how we got here.  You know what I mean.  You promised that you wouldn’t drink or use only to find yourself drunk or high?  What happened to get you to use or drink?  Yet how many times have we continued with our drugging and/or drinking?  Telling ourselves and others I’ll do better next time.  I won’t do that again.  It won’t happen to me.  Yeah right.  And still we are adamant that we are not powerless, that we are in control.   We can handle it.  Yada yada.

Truth is, we “lack the capacity to act” right.  We, on our own, do not have enough strength or will power to “just not pick up” or use.  Face it, until we can be honest with our self about our powerlessness we cannot Recover.

If you still have doubts or if you still maintain that you are not powerless, maybe this will help.  Take a few minutes and think about some of the times that you drank or got high or were compulsive even after promising to do better or not to.  Write it down if you need to.  But give it some real thought.  What were the circumstances?  What were your actions or reactions?   What happened?  Why did you do what you did or behave the way that you did?  What was the outcome?

Give this some serious thought and time folks.  We are not in a hurry.  Remember, Step 1 is the only Step that has to be worked perfectly.  Send us your thoughts and comments.  We’ll pick it up here next time.

Until then ……. be sure to tell a friend about us.

Thanks for visiting us – come back soon.

Remember:  “It is what it is and “it ain’t nothing but a thing!”   

  

Step One - Powerless - Part One

Step 1: We admitted that we were powerless over our addition(s) and compulsive behaviors that our lives had become unmanageable.

Welcome back folks.  Before we get too deep into “powerless” we wanted to reiterate that, there is no hopeless case and that there is Hope for everyone.  However, the fortunate Truth of our addiction/compulsive behavior Recovery is this; in order to Recover, the majority of us have to experience our own Rock Bottom.  This means that we not only have the revelation of our powerlessness but we experience a period of feeling hopeless as well.  Because each person’s rock bottom is different, this time period will vary with each individual as well.  But we have to go through this.  Without experiencing this emotional toilet, we are not broken.  It’s that brokenness that awakens us to the Truth and it’s that Truth that sets us free.  We must become honest-Rigorously Honest- if we desire to Recover.  It’s that honesty that allows us to admit with conviction our powerlessness over our addiction(s) and compulsive behaviors.  

Since this one word (powerless) is such a stumbling block to us when we begin our Recovery Journey, we are going to take some time with it.  We are not in a race and it is imperative that we get this right. 

Even though each Step is vital to our Recovery, and we will have our “road trips” and ups and downs along the way, Step 1 is the only Step that has to be worked perfectly.  There can be no flaw, no short cut, no “getting by”, no “good enough” and no reserve with this Step if we are to Recover.

As we have mentioned in this blog many times, drinking/using isn’t the real problem.  It is but a symptom of something much deeper.    Many of us have abstained for periods of time only to pick up /use again. 

Have you noticed that none of the 12 Step Recovery Programs have the word “abstinence” in the first step?  Have you ever wondered why that is?    While abstinence from our DOC (drug of choice) is a start, it isn’t the solution.  So abstinence alone does not lead to Recovery.

What leads us to Recovery is the realization and conviction of what we state in the First Step:  “We admitted that we were powerless over……that our lives had become unmanageable.”

Webster’s defines powerless as “devoid of strength or resources; lacking the authority or capacity to act”.  But what does powerless mean to you?  Powerless- to not pickup/use, over what happens when you do, over quitting, over the effects that it has on you?  Or just powerless period?  Send us your thoughts.  We’d like to know what you think of when you hear or say the word powerless as it pertains to addiction/compulsive behavior.

Join us again soon as we discuss more about Recovery and your comments about it. 

Until then ……. be sure to tell a friend about us.

Thanks for visiting us – come back soon.

Remember:  “It is what it is and “it ain’t nothing but a thing!” 

Let's Get Going

Hello, welcome back folks and a special shout out to our audience in different countries.  We appreciate all of you that follow us and greet the new comers as well.

WARNING:  Successful completion of this trip will make you a better person. 

Today we begin our journey.  This is a lifelong endeavor that is made up of many short trips.  The initial working through of the 12 Steps is just one of those trips.  But it is the most important one on the path to Recovery.

This series on the 12 Steps is not all inclusive and will be mixed with other helpful information.  It is intended to be thought provoking and different.  We hope that you will find it helpful as you travel down the road to your own Recovery.  Take what works for you and leave the rest.

 It is important for you to remember that we are not experts and we are not gurus in this arena.  What we present here and on our website is not meant to be the final word nor is it meant to replace a sponsor, meetings or professional help.  Please view (here) for more on this.  A lot of what we will be using is material from the vast resources that are available out there.  However, most of what we present is in our own words and is what has worked for us. 

We are no better than anyone and no worse than anyone.  We, too, have struggles, troubles, problems and our own addictions to deal with.  Our purpose is to utilize our experience, strength and hope to carry the message of Recovery to others who still suffer.  As always, your questions and comments are welcome.

 That being said, let’s get going.

Step 1:  We admitted that we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors that our lives had become unmanageable.

The “we” indicates that this is not a “me” or” I” program.  While each of us is different and responsible for our own program, you are not alone.  The fellowship is here to support you.

“Admitted”-the use of this word here means more that a casual “I have a problem” or “I need to stop”.  What we are actually saying is that we have a conviction that…, we are resolute that…, and that there is no reservation that we are totally powerless over our addiction(s) and compulsive behavior.

Make no mistake about it-unless you are totally convinced that you are powerless over your addiction(s) and compulsive behaviors you might as well stop right now.  No, we are not saying give up.  But we are saying that until you can absolutely admit that you are powerless over whatever it is that you are addicted to there is no need to continue. 

You must be able to admit your powerlessness in Step 1 in order to progress to the next step.

Do not be ashamed or discouraged if you cannot do that yet.  It has taken most of us many attempts and a very long time to get to that point.  The main thing is to keep at it, never give up and remember that there is no such thing as a hopeless case. 

We will pick it up with powerless next time.

Join us again soon.

Until then ……. be sure to tell a friend about us.

Thanks for visiting us – come back soon.

Remember:  “It is what it is and “it ain’t nothing but a thing!”