Help Getting Started

[thunder09]

Is there any chance anyone could please give me one or two examples of being POWERLESS from the big book?

[Pinkcuda]

These are two that come to mind right off the bat.
From Bills Story

No words can tell of the loneliness and despair I found in that bitter morass of self-pity. Quicksand stretched around me in all directions. I had met my match. I had been overwhelmed. Alcohol was my master.

This is the 3rd AA member Bill D.

Hopelessness was written large on the man's face as he replied, "Oh, but that's no use. Nothing would fix me. I'm a goner. The last three times, I got drunk on the way home from here. I'm afraid to go out the door. I can't understand it."

All quotes from AA Big Book first edition.

Welcome to SR.

[Pinkcuda]

From The Doctors opinion.

All these, and many others, have one symptom in common: they cannot start drinking without developing the phenomenon of craving. This phenomenon, as we have suggested, may be the manifestation of an allergy which differentiates these people, and sets them apart as a distinct entity. It has never been, by any treatment with which we are familiar, permanently eradicated. The only relief we have to suggest is entire abstinence.

All quotes from AA Big Book first edition.

[Pinkcuda]

Pg 24

The fact is that most alcoholics, for reasons yet obscure, have lost the power of choice in drink. Our so-called will power becomes practically nonexistent. 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.

All quotes from AA Big Book first edition.

[sugErspun]

I would venture to say that most of the book up until the third step prayer is about powerlessness..(and a LOT thereafter).

[TTOSBT]

thunder, have you started writing?
When I wrote my first step, I was floored by the powerlessness!
I truly believed that alcohol had just become a problem in the last 5 years or so.
After I started writing about my life, I realized that my life has been unmanageable since I was a teen! It certainly was an eye opener for me.
After I wrote my first step (27 pages, lol) I fully accepted that I can never drink if I want to live happy, joyous and free. And I REALLY want to live that way!!!!

[McGowdog]

Hmmm... I didn't write my 1st step. I go to meetings where they talk about booze.

Just talking to another alcoholic about how I drink and listen to them talk about how they drink is what it's all about for me.

You know, a funny thing about alcoholics and booze? They know each other well.

[thunder09]

Thank you for taking the time respond.

I am struggling with the whole powerless thing (yes i have looked up the definition ).
As i'm sure most of your sponsors have asked ... wants me to highlight powerless and unmanagable parts that are similar to what my life was like and then give real life examples. But my 'stuff' isnt like the book. ????

[Cathy31]

That's ok, ,just write what your stuff is and keep asking your sponsor questions and you'll get there. The NA green and gold stepguide gave me the necessary prompts I needed to identify my powerlessness...
Good luck - you're on such a great path!
Cathy31
x

[carless]

How true! how many more times before we don't take that first drink

[bballdad]

go get a bottle and try some controlled drinking,it may be worth a bad case of the jitters if it helps you understand you cannot control your drinking once you start

it took drinking to convince me I could not control my drinking-ever

substitute control in place of powerless and see what happens

[keithj]

Two examples? Jim's and Fred's stories in More About Alcoholism.

[keithj]

Originally Posted by thunder09

... wants me to highlight powerless and unmanagable parts that are similar to what my life was like and then give real life examples. But my 'stuff' isnt like the book. ????

Really? My stuff was very resonant with the book's description. Have you ever said to yourself that you were just going out for a couple and ended up plastered? Have you ever tried to quit before and found yourself drunk? Have you ever thought that this time will be different? Have you ever had circumstances in your life, such as relationship trouble, legal or financial problems, where stopping drinking seemed like a good idea, but you still drank?

Ever do things when drunk that you wouldn't do sober?