Step 1 of the 12 Steps in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) states: “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol–that our lives had become unmanageable.” Many people misunderstand or misinterpret what this step means, which can turn them away from AA. Without proper understanding, you may never receive the help you need.
It is important to have a simplified definition of Step 1 in AA so that you understand what it truly means. Crestview Recovery provides substance use treatment in Oregon. Get in touch with our treatment facility if you or a loved one are struggling with drug or alcohol addiction.
What is the Importance of Step 1 in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)?
Step 1 in AA is the most difficult to overcome, but it leads to freedom from addiction. The first step is one of the most challenging aspects of recovery because you have to be honest with yourself. The 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) helps people progress through each level of recovery. However, without Step 1, you can never progress to the next step.
Admitting you have a problem is one of the most honorable things you can do. At one point or another, every single person needs help. If you let pride take over and avoid treatment, you can face grave consequences. You may think you have control, but the terminal stages of addiction strip your whole life away, leaving you with nothing.
Addiction is a disease that requires medical treatment. Once you have the disease of addiction, you are left powerless to substance use. It is critical to understand that being “powerless” does not mean you are not strong enough to beat addiction. It means that you can not manage its effects on your own and you must allow yourself to get treatment.
Step 1: Admitting Powerlessness over Alcohol
The phrase in Step 1 in AA that says, “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol”, can be a tough pill to swallow. In many cases, this phrase is lost in translation and people turn away from treatment. Those struggling with addiction are quick to say they are not powerless without realizing that addiction has control over them.
Addiction can affect anyone from any background. You could be a successful lawyer or a loving parent while struggling with addiction. You can have control over your choices and actions in your life, but you may not have control over alcohol. What may have started as a social activity can quickly turn into a full-on addiction.
Step 1: Life Has Become Unmanageable
The second part of Step 1 in AA says, “Life has become unmanageable.” It is easy to look at your life and think you have control. Things may be going smoothly right now, but addiction will eventually take over every aspect of your life. You may begin to notice warning signs such as relationship problems, work problems, or criminal penalties.
These problems will only continue to build on each other until you are left with nothing. It is much easier to overcome addiction if you get treatment in the early stages. As soon as you feel like you have a problem, talk to your loved ones and find addiction treatment program that is right for you.
How to do Step 1 in AA
Step 1 in AA helps you accept your struggle with addiction through forms of therapy. The challenges of Step 1 in AA are alleviated with the support of a counselor, sponsor, or sobriety group. When you are surrounded by people who understand what you are going through, it is much easier to talk about your problems.
Going through Step 1 in AA provides you with the tool necessary for the next step. It helps you establish a reinforced support system that you can rely on throughout recovery. Having a support system helps you stay accountable and gives you the motivation to keep pushing through.
Acceptance is much easier said than done, which is why Step 1 is so crucial. It is a process that breaks down barriers in your mind. Addiction warps your brain to think it needs alcohol to function normally. AA breaks this cycle and helps you replace triggers with positive behaviors.
Signs and Consequences of Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol addiction occurs when you are no longer in control of your drinking habits. You continue to drink despite its negative consequences. It takes more alcohol to produce the same effects and you have withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking. It is important to be aware of the signs and understand the consequences so that you can get help at an alcohol rehab in Portland as soon as possible.
Signs of Alcohol Addiction
The signs and symptoms of alcohol addiction include:
- Inability to limit the amount of alcohol you drink
- Unsuccessful attempts to stop drinking
- Spending a lot of time under the influence of alcohol
- Strong cravings to drink alcohol
- Using alcohol in unsafe situations
- Failing to fulfill duties at home or work
- Continuing to use alcohol despite its negative effects
- Developing a tolerance to alcohol, causing increased drinking
- Drinking alcohol in place of social activities or hobbies
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms
Consequences of Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol addiction can lead to consequences such as:
- Injuries from falls, car accidents, or fights
- Violence such as homicide, suicide, or sexual assault
- Alcohol poisoning requiring hospitalization
- Miscarriage or birth defects for pregnant women
- Various cancers
- Weakened immune system
- High blood pressure leading to stroke, heart disease, or digestive problems
- Cognitive impairment
- Mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety
- Relationship or family problems
When misused, drinking alcohol can lead to serious mental and physical health problems. Drinking may start with a casual beer or a glass of wine at dinner, but it can quickly turn into an uncontrollable addiction.
How to Seek Support for Step 1 in AA
The best way to approach Step 1 in AA is to have a support system. A support system is made up of people that want to help you achieve sober living. This may include sponsors, counselors, family members, or accountability partners. Joining support groups, reaching out to loved ones, and participating in addiction therapy in Oregon are great ways to build a support group.
The Importance of a Supportive Community in AA
A supportive community allows you to stay accountable during recovery. These people should provide an encouraging environment for you to achieve your recovery goals. Without a supportive community, you can fall back into the cycle of addiction.
Talking to people in your supportive community can help you learn coping skills and positive behaviors that lead to successful recovery. Addiction can feel impossible to overcome on your own, so it is important to surround yourself with people that have your best interest in mind.
Challenges of Step 1 in AA
It is difficult to admit that addiction leaves you powerless against the effects of drugs and alcohol. Seeking help for his condition may feel shameful and humiliating. However, it is important to keep in mind that millions of people suffer from addiction every day. Accept your condition and allow yourself to find healing.
Those who never seek treatment are eventually consumed by addiction. Their life is stripped away and they never experience healing. As humans, we feel like we are in control of our situation. Addiction preys on this feeling and leaves us stuck in our ways. The reality is that addiction causes pain and suffering in all parts of life.
12 Step Treatment relieves your pain by surrounding you with others that relate to your situation. Therapists and peers help you progress through each stage until you have achieved sober living. After completing treatment at Crestview Recovery, you can join our sober living programs in Portland.
How does Step 1 fit into the Progression of Recovery in AA?
Step 1 in AA sets the foundation for recovery. Without acceptance, you cannot progress to the next step. Step 1 also helps you surround yourself with people who have common goals in mind. With these tools, you will be able to take on the next steps of the 12 Step program.
Overview of the 12 Steps in AA
The 12 Steps in AA provide a spiritual path that a person follows to achieve full “psychic change”. “Psychic change” is a term used to describe the mental, emotional, and spiritual shift a person experiences during the process. The 12 Step program is a crucial component of long-term recovery from addiction.
A common misconception about the 12 Steps of AA is that it is a Christian-only treatment approach. Clients can participate in the 12 Steps of AA even if they do not agree with Christian principles. The purpose of the 12 Step program is to help people find a deeper understanding of themselves and find healing in the process.
Contact Crestview Recovery for Alcohol Addiction Treatment in Oregon
Alcohol addiction can leave you feeling hopeless and alone. Thankfully, treatment options are available for you. Crestview Recovery offers 12 Step programming to help you overcome alcohol addiction. Contact us for more information if you or a loved one may benefit from our services.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
