Step 1

[pinkgurl87]

Step 1- I know that I am powerless over my addiction but sometimes I have a hard time excepting it. I start to think that I'm not addicted. It's like I start getting some clean time and all a sudden it feels like I'm not addicted anymore. I know I have to be careful because that's minimizing and a form of denial. I tend to compare myself to other people and think I'm not that bad, but as one of my group leaders said. "I'm not that bad yet." Maybe not yet but I could get their. I seems to me I'm still stuck on step one. I know that drugs have just lead to chaos and hurt and pain. Yet it is hard to admit that I am powerless over my addiction. I like being in control. Though addiction is a false sense of control because you feel like you are controlling your feelings but in reality the drugs are controlling you. I guess I need to completely admit and surrender to God my addiction, I know that's step 2 and 3. Though how do I totally surrender if I haven't totally got step 1. Need to figure step one before I move on to the other steps. I know my life became unmanageable I had to drop out of school because of drugs, had to go inpatient treatment because of drugs yet part of me still thinks I'm ok and not addicted. I'm really struggling with this and realizing that I am not in control that I am powerless.

[sickboy63385]

Hi! I am new here, 37 days sober. This theread is great, I totally thought I had my 1st step down before I came in the doors, but it is so much deeper than just the aknowledgement of my powerlessness, but full realization... WOW!

[Gmoney]

Yet it is hard to admit that I am powerless over my addiction.

Pinkgurl87,

After reading your post, I'm led to believe that you're viewing "addiction" in a singular perspective. In NA, our 1st step says we are powerless over our addiction and our lives had become unmanageable...it doesn't say we are powerless over just drugs. Maybe if you were to look at what addiction actual is, you'd be better able to accept it. I won't re-write what I shared in post #6 in this thread, but it's important to remember that step one tells us that not only are we powerless over drugs, but we're powerless over the disease of addiction as well. The literature says we have to admit this fact in order to recover.

Though how do I totally surrender if I haven't totally got step 1.

Having a sponsor who has experience in working this step helps. Reading the literature and seeking the ES&H of other addicts is also helpful. Have you tried using the NA Step Working Guides?

[hellonurse]

this is all fresh to me everyone else seems way ahead of me. I am only a a week sober. I'm just starting the recovery process and wanted to attend some meetings in addition to counseling. unfortunately i work in the addictions field and live in a small town. therefore the anonymous part of NA doesn't really apply to me! I don't know how to go about doing this as i really want the support of actual meetings as well as the wonderful opportunities this site seems to hold. any ideas? as for this first step it is the first time i have ever actually found out what the steps are and to admit that i was powerless is going to be a very big challenge. I am carrying extreme guilt for my actions while using. that i decided to ruin my life and that of my family and employer....this is gonna take some serious thinking, which would mean putting my books down long enough to hear my own thoughts ( I think I read to dissociate from what is happening in my life right now, i read a novel a day, pretty much!)

[Gmoney]

Welcome Hellonurse,

Congrats on your 1 week clean.

I don't know how to go about doing this as i really want the support of actual meetings as well as the wonderful opportunities this site seems to hold. any ideas?

As a member of NA who has benefitted from the same simple suggestions that have been passed down from member to member, sponsor to sponsee...I offer you this:

1] A meeting a day for 90 days is a good idea.
2] Get an NA Basic Text (and read it).
3] Join a home group.
4] Get a sponsor.
5] Work the Steps.
6] Get involved in service.
7] Dont use no matter what & keep coming back.

The NA forum here at SR is a great place to interact with other recovering members of NA, but to get the most out of what NA has to offer, it is best to attend face-2-face meetings and to get a sponsor to guide you through the steps. The 12 steps are the program and the program is the solution. IMO, at one week clean your main focus should be staying clean. Do yourself a favor and go to meetings and get a sponsor. Your sponsor will then assist you in understanding and application of the principles of the program.

Easy does it & First things First...

[weakandpowerles]

we are truly weak and powerless , over our addiction but not our disease it can be aressted by following simple guide lines and sugestions through the program of n a

im 17 days back of a year run i need help i am truly power less havent gone through this step with my sponser yet been calling on a daily basis ------ i feel better when im sleeping please help me

[rjking1983]

I joined this sit today after I finally had enough...I stayed up all night, then called in sick to work...then to feel better I went and bought more. The money I needed for my cell phone was used to keep me up...what a waste of $100. I just pray I can stay clean.

[Grateful Bill]

No Kiddin', paraphrasing is OK from my perspective. It makes it easier to think of whenm I run the 1st step through my mind and in my actions. I NEED to think about this all the time. I managed to be blessed w8 years 6/5/2009. I need to always remember I am powerless- my life is unmanagable,,period, not two parts to step one, it is one sentnece, (as my 1st sponsor told me CONSTANTLY), my life is STILL unmanagable even though it's been a LONG time since my butt's been oin fire When I fail to recognize this, Bill takes over and he's a crappy manager He has to be fired once,, not rehired!!! Anyhow, glad we are talking about 1st step, there are 11 more and this is the first step to an amazing life,,,far beyond our wildest dreams ,it fer sure works when we work it

[alternateplan]

I hear what you are saying now i would like to honor admitting it everyday. After that what should i do as soon as i awake, this is where my problem begins

[Missybuns]

Alternateplan,

Look for your local NA meetings and start going to as many meetings as you can.

I went to as many as I could and learned how to stay clean the NA way...so far so good.

I got a sponsor and began learning how to apply the principles within the 12 steps to the best of my ability.

I spent all my waking hours educating myself on addiction and actively participated in my personal recovery one step at a time, one day at a time.

It's been working for me for more than three years now.

Only you know if you are truly done.

Find other recovering addicts to mentor you.

Peace,
Missy

[BassFamily]

Originally Posted by Gmoney

Pinkgurl87,

After reading your post, I'm led to believe that you're viewing "addiction" in a singular perspective. In NA, our 1st step says we are powerless over our addiction and our lives had become unmanageable...it doesn't say we are powerless over just drugs. Maybe if you were to look at what addiction actual is, you'd be better able to accept it. I won't re-write what I shared in post #6 in this thread, but it's important to remember that step one tells us that not only are we powerless over drugs, but we're powerless over the disease of addiction as well. The literature says we have to admit this fact in order to recover.



Having a sponsor who has experience in working this step helps. Reading the literature and seeking the ES&H of other addicts is also helpful. Have you tried using the NA Step Working Guides?

i need a sponsor to help me work NA STEPS I NEED SOME ONE TO TALK TO SOME TIMES ABOUT MY RECOVERY THIS TIME I WANT TO LISTEN TO SOMEONE WHO AS YEARS OF RECOVERY I NEED THAT IN MY LIFE TO STAY ALIVE I HAVE DISEASE OF ADDICTION I NEED SOME HELP SO. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME WITH A SPONSOR TO WORK NA STEP WORKING GUIDES AND IN NEED OF A SPONSOR WITH YEARS OF RECOVERY TIME PLEASE HELP THANK YOU blbassga

[BassFamily]

Originally Posted by Gmoney

Pinkgurl87,

After reading your post, I'm led to believe that you're viewing "addiction" in a singular perspective. In NA, our 1st step says we are powerless over our addiction and our lives had become unmanageable...it doesn't say we are powerless over just drugs. Maybe if you were to look at what addiction actual is, you'd be better able to accept it. I won't re-write what I shared in post #6 in this thread, but it's important to remember that step one tells us that not only are we powerless over drugs, but we're powerless over the disease of addiction as well. The literature says we have to admit this fact in order to recover.



Having a sponsor who has experience in working this step helps. Reading the literature and seeking the ES&H of other addicts is also helpful. Have you tried using the NA Step Working Guides?

i need a sponsor to help me work NA STEPS I NEED SOME ONE TO TALK TO SOME TIMES ABOUT MY RECOVERY THIS TIME I WANT TO LISTEN TO SOMEONE WHO AS YEARS OF RECOVERY I NEED THAT IN MY LIFE TO STAY ALIVE I HAVE DISEASE OF ADDICTION I NEED SOME HELP SO. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME WITH A SPONSOR TO WORK NA STEP WORKING GUIDES AND IN NEED OF A SPONSOR WITH YEARS OF RECOVERY TIME PLEASE HELP THANK YOU blbassga THANK YOU MISSYBUNS I FEEL BETTER ABOUT MESSAGE FROM YOU IT HELP ME UNDERSTAND I CAN MAKE IN MY MINE I CAN DO THIS AND BE FREE AND BE IN MY RIGHT MINE YES I LIKE GET HIGH BUT IT IS KILLING ME AND MY FAMILY I NEEDED TO HEAR THAT THANK YOU VERY MUCH THANK YOU

[Missybuns]

Bassfamily,

You are welcome.
First thing is first even before you start your step work. First thing is to not use...no matter what.

See, at meetings is where we find a sponsor and get phone numbers of others who know how to stay clean.

1 don't use
2 pay attention

it does seem you are paying attention to what we are saying....so keep it going.

Do you know how to locate meetings near you? We can help with that if you like.
If you can navigate www.NA.org - the website for the Fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous you can find a meeting near you. If the websites are not listing them.....let me know I can help you find your Regional Office and they have the current schedules, we can call there and ask them or they may even send you one if you just ask them!

Peace,
Missy