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!”