STEP 1A – POWERLESS (4)
We can transform "powerless" into "power" by drawing on the wisdom and experience of others.
What Did The Original 100 Members of A.A. Mean When They Said They Were “Powerless?”
• If, when you honestly want to, you find you cannot quit entirely, or if, when drinking you have little control over the amount you take – you are probably an alcoholic.. (A.A. P 44)
• The fact is that most alcoholics have lost – the power of choice – when it comes to alcohol. Our so called “will
power” becomes practically nonexistent. (A.A. P 24)
• At a certain point in the history of every alcoholic they pass into a state where the most powerful desire to stop drinking is about as useful as – a dead car battery. This tragic situation has already arrived in practically every
case – long before it is suspected. (A.A. P 24)
• Every one of us is "convinced" that we are in the grip of a "progressive" illness. Over any considerable period of time – we get worse – never better. (A.A. P 30)
• We are unable, at certain times, to bring into our consciousness, with sufficient force, the memory of the
suffering and humiliation of even a week or a month ago. We are – without defense – against the first drink.
There is a complete failure of the kind of defense that keeps us from putting our hand on a hot stove. (A.A. P 24)
How many times have you said to yourself: “I’ll control it this time,” or perhaps you didn’t think at all. When
this sort of thinking is fully established in an individual with alcoholic tendencies, they have probably placed themselves – beyond human aid. (A.A. P 24)
Are you one of us? Once you mix the "chemicals" in pills, alcohol, or drugs with the "chemicals" in your body,
do you become a slave – to your obsessive thoughts, compulsive feelings, and physical cravings?
If you answered “Yes” Congratulations!
You have just "completed" the first half of STEP 1 by admitting your powerlessness over the "chemicals" in pills, alcohol, or drugs. But it’s important to understand that "powerless" doesn’t mean "helpless."
THERE IS A SOLUTION
The “solution” offered to us can be found on page xxvii of the book Alcoholics Anonymous. We “work out” the SOLUTION on two planes:
1. Spiritual (Sacred – a divine, inspiring, or animating being or influence – chairs, door knobs, salt shakers, and toilet paper are neither sacred, divine, inspiring, or animating beings of influence – in case you didn't know.)
2. Altruistic (Unselfish concern for, or devoted to, the welfare of others.)
If We “Just Don’t Pick Up,” Will That “Solve” Our Problem?
If alcohol was our “problem,” the answer would be “Yes!” But "alcohol" isn’t our – problem. Our “problem” is alcohol-ism. The ISM is the – obsessive thoughts, compulsive feelings, and physical cravings – for alcohol or any other drug. The original members of A.A. gave us very clear picture as to how the ISM manifested itself in their lives.
• “We were DRIVEN by a hundred forms fear, self-seeking, self-delusion and self-pity.” (A.A. Page 62)
• “Selfishness-self-centeredness! That, we think, is the – root – of our problem; not a substance.” (A.A. Page 62)
