Powerlessness

[Doug]

We are powerless when the driving force in our life is beyond our control. Our addiction certainly qualifies as such an uncontrollable, driving force. We cannot moderate or control our drug use or other compulsive behaviors, even when they are causing us to lose the things that matter most to us. We cannot stop, even when to continue will surely result in irreparable physical damage. We find ourselves doing things that we would never do if it weren't for our addiction, things that make us shudder with shame when we think of them.

We may even decide that we don't want to use, that we aren't going to use, and realize we are simply unable to stop when the opportunity presents itself. We may have tried to abstain from drug use or other compulsive behaviors-perhaps with some success-for a period of time without a program, only to find that our untreated addiction eventually takes us right back to where we were before.


From the NA Step Working Guide, page 3~


As you read this, can you, or have you, been able to relate to any of it? You don't even have to post; just think about it.

[Paulie]

OMG I can relate to it in more ways than I like to admit.

I can relate with using, men, shopping, food. Powerlessness even though I understand, does not always mean I accept it. That is reality of my disease.

[Doug]

Ahhh "acceptance"....

To endure without protest-

but that's another thread.

[kelsh]

Powerlessness says it all for me.....I remember one day putting my shoes on..taking them off.....putting them on again..etc. until my powerlessness gave way and I went to the store to get a six pack of beer. I drank three and was on the way to the psyc-unit that evening.

kelsh

[Timebuster]

Doug...

Through personal reflection after first entering the rooms of NA, it was made clear that my powerlessness over addiction was uncontrollable. I had to accept responsibility and take charge of my recovery. Open-mindedness and willingness enabled me to apply the spiritual principles of NA, and provided me with the tools necessary to honestly work the 1st Step. As I recognized the destruction and how powerless I was over my addiction.

I came to understand the importance of surrender, acceptance and honesty. The 1st Step allows me the opportunity to stray away from my selfishness, and learn to become Higher powered-centered. Becoming less self-centered encourages new, healthy ways of living without the insanity of obsession and compulsive behavior. No longer do I let fear, doubt, isolation, confusion and the feeling powerlessness control my life.

Ivan

[Paulie]

Originally Posted by Doug

Ahhh "acceptance"....

To endure without protest-

but that's another thread.

Yes it is LOL

[Doug]

[Gmoney]

What I find so funny is the people who are so resistant to the term "powerless." They want to define it, dissect it and rationalize away it's true meaning (in regards to recovery and addiction). Which always brings this question to mind: "If they could control their using, how did they become addicted?" For me, it is truly a blessing to understand and accept that I have limitations, liabilities and human flaws. The admittance of powerlessness is not a confession of weakness or claim of helplessness - it is an act of humility. The mask is off.

[Doug]

Good post Garry.

A reservation or denial maybe?

Reservations are just self constructed road-blocks, a set up for a future relapse.

Denial is failure to acknowledge reality.

I'm going off track again. Different thread topics. LOL.

[Gmoney]

There's an NA IP called, "Am I An Addict" that has 28 questions for anyone who thinks that they might be an addict. There are a few (if not all) that point directly to what is meant by powerless. One in particular is:

[#5] Do you regularly use a drug when you wake up or when you go to bed?

For me, to answer yes to this question is an admission that I can't start my day without getting high nor can I sleep without getting high. While still in the grip of my disease, I could easily make the excuse that I didn't "have to" do it. But if so, why did I? Getting butt-naked honest, I'd have to admit that I didn't have the power to resist the "wake up" or the "night cap."

Yet, as you wrote in the opening of this thread:

We may even decide that we don't want to use, that we aren't going to use, and realize we are simply unable to stop when the opportunity presents itself.

This is one of the most obvious examples of what powerlessness is and means.

Thanks for the topic. I'd love to write more but gotta go to work.

[EricPaul]

I gave up my powerlessness of being addicted to benzos and opiates and took my power over my life back from these toxic poisons. I now have the power of getting up everyday and being free from these drugs and choosing to stay free and clean. This is a power I will never give up again to drugs!