This series of articles is a PERSONAL perspective/interpretation of The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.
The 12 Step program of Alcoholics Anonymous began on June 10, 1935 and has helped scores of people around the world obtain and maintain sobriety from drugs and alcohol.
STEP ONE—We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.
Step One is basically the first step of liberation from alcohol (and/or other addictive processes). It is at this point that we wave the white flag and say, “Okay! I’m done!” This step suggests powerlessness—which indeed is necessary for recovery. But, it is a paradox, indeed. Through admitting powerlessness over addictive substances/processes we actually gain a great deal of strength through recovery. This Step of the 12 Steps is absolutely necessary for any further sobriety to occur. As long as there is any doubt in our minds about whether or not we are powerless over alcohol we are in danger of turning to alcohol again. One of my favorite sentences in “Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions” is “Our admissions of personal powerlessness finally turn out to be firm bedrock upon which happy and purposeful lives may be built.”
This leads us the remaining eleven steps of the program.
References:
1. Alcoholics Anonymous, Fourth Edition; Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. 2001.
2. Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions; Alcoholics Anonymous Services, Inc. 1952
***NOTE: this article is a personal interpretation of the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and is neither endorsed nor approved by Alcoholics Anonymous. ***
Our counselors are trained and experienced in a wide variety of counseling disciplines including marital problems, children’s play therapy, drug-abuse counseling, faith-based counseling, ADHD treatments and more. Call us right now at 972-234-6634 and let’s see how we can help you, or visit our online appointment scheduling system and select your own day and time. We’d love to meet you and see how we can help.
Tags:
