Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) operates under a set of 12 steps to achieve daily recovery. AA is a group of fellow recovering alcoholics who use the 12 steps and sponsorship to hold you accountable and offer you a daily reprieve from alcohol dependency.

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. Once you relinquish control, you are well on your way to mastering step one.

What does powerless mean? Powerlessness means that you are thoroughly convinced that if you put alcohol in your body, disaster will follow. Powerlessness means that you are not confused in any way that for you, alcohol is poison.

Being powerless does not mean you are weak. Quite the contrary, being able to admit that you can’t drink makes you self-aware and honest. Knowing your limitations helps you to succeed and accomplish your goals. Try not to look at step one as admitting total defeat. Rather, look at step one as knowing what you can and cannot handle.

Admitting powerlessness actually gives you strength. You know that alcohol is bad news for you, you are convinced, and nothing can make you return to drinking. Friend, this is strength. In order to progress to steps two through twelve, you must embrace step one. You will be unable to go further in your recovery if you cannot recognize that you and alcohol do not mix.

Admitting powerlessness is essentially waving the white flag and recognizing that you cannot try to drink anymore. History has proven that you have no control once a drop of alcohol enters your body. If you can grasp this knowledge, you will become a recovering, strong person. Remember, recovery is not being weak or less of a person. Recovery is about accepting that alcohol does not add to your life. Recovery is also about taking back control of your life.

At The Kimberly Center, we know that acknowledging powerlessness isn’t easy, but we want to help simplify the recovery process. Call us now at 855-4-KCENTER so that we can help you tackle the first steps of your recovery. We are committed to putting you and your recovery first. At the Kimberly Center, you are in safe and trusted hands.