American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information. We strive to create content that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. 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. Mindfulness activities, such as deep breathing exercises or body scans, can be integrated into daily routines to promote a sense of calmness and clarity.

No Man Is An Island: The Importance of Accepting Help From Others

They can’t help you break your addiction, and they feel stuck in uncomfortable positions while they make excuses for your drinking. By admitting that you are currently powerless, you make room to restore power by seeking assistance. At that point, you may discover it’s easy powerless over alcohol to move on to Step 2 of AA—and all the ones that follow. This concept of accepting powerlessness is at the heart of many 12-step programs, forming the crucial first step. It’s not about weakness, but rather about honest self-assessment and a willingness to seek help.

• This can involve finding solace in a religious faith, connecting with nature, or exploring spiritual practices that resonate with personal beliefs.
• Fully accepting step one is not always a straight path, but there is good news!
• You may have seen the inside of hospital rooms or jail cells.
• When you lay it all out, you will see that you did not have control in those moments.
• That said, we understand the language of Alcoholics Anonymous often does not avoid using the term “alcoholic.”
• Powerlessness is often mistaken for weakness, but this is actually a step of strength.

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Whatever the reason, admitting powerlessness is to say that practicing self-control does not undo the effects of drugs or alcohol on the brain. Accepting this reality is what will equip you to seek treatment rather than deny that there is a problem in the first place. After many years of denial, recovery can begin for individuals struggling with alcohol and their families with one simple admission of being powerless over alcohol. This is the first step of the 12 step programs of Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon programs, which have been attended by millions of people over the last several decades. The concept behind the references to God or a higher power in the 12-step program is to support addicts in the understanding that they need to find a source of strength that’s greater than themselves alone.

What Does it Mean to Say You’re Powerless Over Drugs and Alcohol?

If you’re struggling with alcohol use—whether or not you’re in AA—it is up to you to choose how you describe your situation. Ultimately, the important thing is that you are working toward self-improvement and recovery. Even if you don’t believe in God, you can still undergo the AA first step. This is the “wpengine” admin user that our staff uses to gain access to your admin area to provide support and troubleshooting. It can only be accessed by a button in our secure log that auto generates a password and dumps that password after the staff member has logged in.

• It also is not a lack of agency that implies we are helpless when it comes to choosing between right and wrong.
• Understanding powerlessness in sobriety and embracing it as a strength paves the way for a transformative journey towards recovery.
• Accepting powerlessness requires a shift in mindset, moving away from a place of resistance and denial towards one of vulnerability and accountability.
• For many addicted to alcohol and drugs, it’s difficult to admit the way addiction has made their lives unmanageable.

It’s like being stuck in a maze where every path leads back to the same starting point, no matter how hard you try to find the exit. 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).

Meditation practices, such as guided meditation or mindfulness meditation, can also be beneficial in fostering self-reflection and acceptance. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses. Members of Alcoholics Anonymous or Al-Anon Family Groups present some great insight into the healing principles of the 12 steps. Many have said that taking that first step is one of the most difficult things to do. Whether or not you have a problem with alcohol, how often have you heard the phrase “honesty is the best policy”? There’s a reason for that—being honest with yourself and others is key to living the kind of rich, self-assured, fulfilling life that we all want.

Letting go of these familiar but destructive behaviors requires a willingness to embrace change and adopt healthier alternatives. This process often involves seeking support from others, implementing new coping mechanisms, and creating a supportive environment that fosters recovery. One https://ecosoberhouse.com/ of the fundamental aspects of embracing powerlessness is surrendering control. In addiction, individuals often try to exert control over their substance use, believing they can manage or moderate it. However, this control becomes an illusion, leading to a cycle of destructive behaviors.

The Benefits of Embracing Powerlessness

How to Maintain Long-Term Recovery From Addiction