Now let’s talk about the particular emotional feeling of “Powerlessness.” There are many times when one can feel a sense of powerlessness. Maybe you are in a marriage that isn’t going the way you thought it would, or you have a spouse who won’t take the suggestions you give, however beneficial they may be. Maybe you have a child that isn’t listening to what you are saying, and you find yourself going to extreme lengths to try and find answers for your child. You have gone to therapists, psychiatrists, and doctors, only to see them saying all the same things.
- She didn’t die that day, but I remember lying awake in my bed that night swearing that I would never feel that depth of desperation, fear, or terror ever again.
- Powerlessness refers to a lack of control, and it helps you realize that there are things you can do to treat your addiction and create the life you want.
- Maybe you have a child that isn’t listening to what you are saying, and you find yourself going to extreme lengths to try and find answers for your child.
- Getting sober this way sets you up for relapse because the deeper causes and reasons for your addiction aren’t being addressed, they’re just being avoided.
- You accept that your life now largely revolves around maintaining your addiction and your addiction is now the driving force behind all your thoughts and actions.
- She thinks, “Why am I being stuck at the house doing all this stuff?
You accept that you can’t continue drinking alcohol or using drugs and that you have absolutely no control when you’re using. You’re also embracing your need to learn what led you to become addicted in the first place, the thoughts and behaviors that fuel your addiction and what you must do to achieve and maintain sobriety. 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. This could mean God, a general belief system or the recovery community itself. The above statement is the First Step of AA, NA and other Twelve-Step support groups and is considered to be the most important. If the addict cannot complete this initial step, truly recovering from the devastating effects of substance abuse and addiction will not be possible.
What Does It Mean to Be Powerless Over Alcohol and Other Drugs?
For example, alcoholics Anonymous programs say that those who still believe they have control over their drinking will drink again. Only when you surrender control will you be on your way to mastering step one of the 12 steps. To recognize powerlessness over your addiction is to face the reality that you don’t have the self-control, discipline, or power to stop your addiction on your own. Usually this is highlighted by continuing addictive behaviors despite (sometimes severe) consequences for your actions. Maybe you’ve violated your personal values in your addiction, or you’ve gone further or deeper than you expected you would.
- When you surrender to the reality that you have become powerless over the substance then change is possible.
- Powerlessness means accepting the fact that you will never be able to drink safely again and letting go of the idea that you can simply “cut down” or manage your drinking.
Step One isn’t just a standalone step; it lays the foundation for the entire 12-step recovery process. Without accepting powerlessness and unmanageability, it becomes challenging to make meaningful progress in your journey to recovery. In its simplest terms, Art Therapy: Create To Recover the First Step centers on the addict being able to truly admit their lives have become dysfunctional due to their substance use. By admitting powerlessness, the addict acknowledges there is an obsessive/compulsive nature with drug and alcohol use.
“Our sound reasoning failed to hold us in check. The insane idea won out.” (Big Book, Page
An addict who understands that they are powerless over their addiction will be more vigilant about relapse and take all the necessary steps to prevent themselves from slipping back into their old ways. Admitting powerlessness is an essential part of recovery that every addict must understand and experience for themselves. They might also experience circumstances that help them realize how much their drug use is negatively affecting their life such as losing their job, getting a divorce or getting in trouble with the law.
It is a gateway to freedom and a proclamation of progress. As we go through the process of Step One, we are moving from a lack of awareness into an awareness of the reality of this disease and the possibility of change. We are beginning to believe that we are capable of living in a different way. With that said, there is often some confusion about apprehension towards the steps and the concept of powerlessness. Slips and relapse are part of the normal trajectory of recovery. To say they bring you back to square one dismisses the work you’ve done so far in your recovery journey.
Examples of Powerlessness in Sobriety
At some point, you will most likely feel “powerless” over the situation, like there is nothing more you can do. Step One might seem daunting, but it’s also the step where hope begins https://accountingcoaching.online/what-if-being-sober-sucks-4-tips-to-boost-your/ to emerge. By honestly confronting your powerlessness and the unmanageability that addiction has brought into your life, you’re taking a courageous step toward a brighter future.
When you are 2 or 10 or 20 years sober, you are still going to be powerless over alcohol. Powerlessness is often mistaken for weakness, but this is actually a step of strength. Silver Pines and Steps to Recovery have provided addiction recovery programs in Pennsylvania for over a decade with detox, residential, outpatient, and sober living services. Last year, we expanded our services to include robust mental health treatment, a new outpatient location, and specialized programming for our nation’s veterans, with more to come this year!
