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!”