Being born and raised in Gaithersburg, Maryland, it was always a dream for James to start a program where he began his own recovery journey. Having faced addiction in his own life, and having worked through recovery, James truly understands what it takes to get sober and stay sober. James now has the opportunity to do what he loves and help others achieve long-term recovery. James works alongside the clinical director and administrative team to help ensure that every client benefits from a customized treatment plan and holistic approach that offers freedom from the grips of addiction. The first step of AA says, “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol and that our lives had become unmanageable.” Admitting powerlessness over alcohol is the foundation of your recovery. If you still believe that you have some sort of control over your drinking, you will drink again.
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) operates under a set of 12 steps to achieve daily recovery.
- Addiction is not a character flaw, but a disease that alters brain chemicals.
Through her relentless pursuit of excellence, Sydney empowers individuals on their journey towards recovery, offering hope and healing to those in need. Identifying a life that is “unmanageable” can be subjective, but there are a few clear ways in which one’s life could be labeled as such. If there are powerless over alcohol examples responsibilities at work, school, or in your personal life that are not being met, then this is a good sign of unmanageability. When drinking has become the priority and your career, relationships, finances, and other aspects of your life are suffering, these are signs that your life is unmanageable.
Executive Director, Co-Founder
Admitting powerlessness over alcohol is the cornerstone of your recovery. No matter how strongly you might will
yourself to act in a certain way or to do (or not do) a certain thing, you will
find that you are not able to carry through with it consistently. You have
become powerless over your addictive behaviors and your life has become
unmanageable. Spero Recovery Center is a peer-based residential recovery program. It is not a substitute for clinical treatment or individualized therapeutic services. Admitting powerlessness means accepting what is true and what is not.
The main criterion for a successful First Step is a person’s acceptance that they do, indeed, have the disease of addiction. A person shouldn’t consider themselves weak-willed or incapable when they admit to their powerlessness, and they don’t have to do anything about their addiction yet. Step One is just asking a person to acknowledge that they have the disease of addiction, and life is harder because of it. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable. Susan is no stranger to the fields of behavioral health and addiction.
A Lifestyle That Is Not Compatible With The Drink
Give up this control and you begin the journey of mastering your alcoholism. Alcoholics Anonymous is also a fellowship – a group of recovering alcoholics – who have either worked through the steps (oldtimers) or are about to begin (newcomers). As addiction begins to overtake your life, you lie to yourself about what is happening. Unfortunately, many cannot shatter that illusion until they hit rock bottom and are confronted with undeniable proof that everything is not okay. Only then do they feel that powerlessness that comes from addiction.
When you are addicted, you have lost
the power of choice. You have to accept and understand that you can’t recover from AUD on your own. Then, you must accept that an outside source of help will allow you to overcome your struggle with addiction. Rather than pushing you to believe in spiritual power, Step 1 of AA gets you to the point where you trust in the possibility of recovery. Then, you’re ready to believe you can manage your AUD with help from outside sources.
What Are Some Myths About This Step?
Worldwide, alcoholics, addicts and treatment professionals embraced the Twelve Steps, and more than 35 million copies of AA’s Big Book have been distributed in over 70 languages. As the Medical Director, Mark works with the staff to coordinate the appropriate level of care for each individual client. He works directly with the clients on management of medical issues both related to and separate from their addiction, ensuring comprehensive health care plans that ensure our clients’ chances at recovery. What he has found to be most rewarding about working in the addictions treatment field is being able to help suffering addicts and alcoholics to realize their fullest potential. Additionally, admitting powerlessness is the white flag demonstrating an understanding that drinking is no longer an option for you (Check out our article exploring further this concept of the “non-option”).
- Step One is just asking a person to acknowledge that they have the disease of addiction, and life is harder because of it.
- My approach to therapy is grounded in compassion, empathy, and a deep understanding of the unique experiences and perspectives of each of my clients .
- Melissa’s personal experiences with addiction and mental health struggles instilled within her a profound passion for supporting others on their recovery journey.
- In the meantime, you can explore AA in combination with your current therapy routine.
- The family can become totally controlled by diseased thinking.
Most people react to people doing things that they don’t like by making their feelings plain, they shout, nag, punish etc. Sometimes this works. Indeed, at one time it was the accepted way of teaching children and criminals right from wrong. However, there are tried and tested ways we can address the drinker’s motivation that don’t involve these methods and they are much more effective.
What Does it Mean to Say You’re Powerless Over Drugs and Alcohol?
She comes to The Freedom Center with over 14 years of direct experience in residential and outpatient treatment between the private and federal sectors. Admitting you have a problem is always said to be the first step of recovery. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you are heading in the direction of recovery or sobriety.
