In her free time, she enjoys music, reading, and family time. Over the past several months, Erin has worked with our team to create a strong clinical program for our residential location in Buckeystown. In addition, she has enjoyed decorating and preparing a safe, comfortable environment for clients and staff. With her passion and drive to bring success to our residential program, Erin is excited for the opportunity to lead our team in Buckeystown as the Program Director.
- Let’s take a look at how alcohol can lead to an “unmanageable” life, what unmanageability is in AA, and how it is correlated with addiction or alcohol abuse.
- By following Step 1 of AA and admitting you are powerless on your own, you will dispel the shame and gain greater control.
- Learn more about AA, and how its famous 12 Steps—especially Step 1—can set you on the path to recovery.
- No, this is not the meaning of powerless in the first step of AA.
Unmanageability is what tends to arise from our powerless behaviors. Our lives are unbearable, and yet we cannot seem to change them no matter how hard we try. This is often because we have not found the willingness to look outside of ourselves and rely on support groups or those in our emotional support system of friends and family. If we were to follow their suggestions, then we may wind up on the right path.
The paradox of powerlessness
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. Addiction is not a character flaw, but a disease that alters brain chemicals. No one makes the conscious choice to lose control and wreck their lives. Many factors go into addiction development, from genetics to untreated mental health symptoms, for which some people turn to alcohol or drugs as a way of self-medicating. It is admittedly off-putting to think of yourself as “powerless.” Many people see asking for help to overcome a particular struggle as a sign of personal failure. This pervasive stigma is a big reason why seeking help for substance abuse, or even admitting you struggle with substance abuse, is so hard.
However, if someone is drinking, experiencing consequence after consequence and does not or cannot stop, then this is an unmanageable life. Everyone makes mistakes, but they usually learn from them and Oxford House Recovery Homes: Characteristics and Effectiveness PMC make better choices moving forward. Someone who seeks help for addiction is either someone who is court-ordered to, or someone who is not able to manage their drinking, and ultimately their life.
“Our sound reasoning failed to hold us in check. The insane idea won out.” (Big Book, Page
We let this Power remove the problem by practicing the rest of the steps as a way of life. Until we can accept powerlessness, we will not fully seek Power. Accepting our powerlessness (complete defeat) is the bottom that an alcoholic and addict must hit. We’ve had good reasons to quit for good, and we continued drinking or using drugs anyway. This understanding of the word obsession explains why we keep going back to pick up the first drink or drug. It makes so much sense when we look back at our behaviors—the threat of relationships ending, poor health, work-life, bad decisions, legal trouble, etc.
Acknowledging your powerlessness is liberating because it helps you realize the things you are powerless over so you can devote your energy to your actions–the things you can control. You may be powerless over addiction, but you aren’t powerless, period. Once you realize what you can and cannot change, https://trading-market.org/step-1-of-alcoholics-anonymous-what-is-step-1-of/ you’re actually quite powerful. Alcoholics Anonymous does not require that you define “Power” using religious terms. All you need to do is admit that Power overcomes powerlessness. Then, you’ll be ready to move through the remaining 10 steps, until you reach a point where your AUD is manageable.
How Music Therapy & Substance Abuse Recovery Work
You might be wondering what Step 1 powerlessness means or what personal powerlessness is. This step involves admitting that you have no power in yourself—within your mind and within your body—to overcome alcohol and its hold on you. Alcohol is too strong a substance to eliminate from your life on your own. Alcohol can drive your mind to unimaginable cravings for it and it also affects the body. Trying to go without alcohol on your own can lead to incredible bodily discomfort. As a part of treatment at MARR, our clients complete a First Step Inventory, which includes examples of powerlessness and unmanageability from various areas of life.