STEP ONE... insight from a fellow control freak.

Desirae · Veteran Member

STEP ONE... insight from a fellow control freak.

DonaldNetzel · Newbie

I have been recovering for over 7 yrs. as of May 27th, 2003 and one of the main reasons that I have been successful in my recovery is that I have never forgotten step one. My last relapse was so severe for me that I finally realized and accepted the fact that I am powerless over alcohol.

I knew before this relapse that I was alcoholic but I was unable to recover. I came back to AA, convinced that I wanted to recover and remain sober but I still had my last relapse. It was at this time that I first realized and accepted that I had lost to the drug alcohol.

It became an all or none situation. That is, I knew I had to give up drinking or die a drunk. This scared me back into AA and ever since that day; I have found it easier to recover. I never miss my 2 meetings per week or hours on Internet; using on-line meetings to stay sober.

My character defect of being powerless over alcohol has actually become one of greatest strenghts in my recovery since I am constantly reminded of step 1 on a daily basis and this keeps me sober. My powerlessness was hard to accept, at first, but now that I have admitted it; I find my recovery very enjoyable and all aspects of my live have improved.

-- Edited by DonaldNetzel on Friday 15th of October 2010 10:35:05 PM

-- Edited by DonaldNetzel on Friday 15th of October 2010 10:36:26 PM

megt · Newbie

I am relatively new to al anon and the 12 step program. my crazy and out of control life brought me here a couple of months ago (and I am so grateful).

I admitted that I am powerless over alcohol. ( being used/abused by my family members)

And I for sure cannot control the family members in my life with alcohol problems.

It was such a relief for me to come to this step and finally stop crazily trying so hard to control something that is totally out of my control.

I came to step one when my 23 year old son having broken his leg from alcohol related problems was too drunk to wake up and go to the doctor for his review appointment. i was heartbroken and crushed.

I also came to step one having left my alcoholic (in denial) husband of 21 years because i could no longer allow myself to be treated in a way that was unacceptable to me. this was february this year.

I came to step one when my 19 year old daughter told me that she has a drinking problem and even though i could see it with my own eyes for some reason when I heard it from her lips on that day i was devastated.

I came back to step one 2 weeks ago when there was an incidence of violence in my own home between 2 of my loved ones which has resulted in me asking my son to leave home for good and for me to ask my daughter to leave home for a while so i can look after me.

I came to step one 2 weeks ago because i can no longer deny to myslef that my sons and daughters drinking is making my life unmanageable and now I have to take care of me and painful as it is let them take care of themselves.

so even though on my journey i am currently on step 8, I keep coming back to step one as my life unfolds and I find I need to come back to it.

I also remind myself of all the steps at a meeting I attend once a week (not al anon since not available where i am yet) and once a week at on line al anon meetings.

i am so grateful for these steps that are helping me look after me.

Thank you all for sharing in this 12 step biard and sharing with me. And thank you for reading my experience.

Desirae · Veteran Member

bless you both in your recovery and thank you for taking the time to celebrate in our recovery together

Learn how the 12 Steps work. Participate in your own recovery as well as the recovery of others, by being active on this board as we go through the 12 Steps of recovery together! We discuss each of the Twelve Steps In the order they are written, one step at a time, every two weeks.