Well
We don't move to steps 2-12 until we have a solid step one. I mean if there's any alternative why go to step 2, or 3, or 4? Who would willfully succumb to such a humbling process?
Personally I wasn't ready for step 2 until I had enough to drink. Then I had to have enough of trying to stay sober without a spiritual awakening. Then I couldn't do either successfully.
p 152:
"He cannot picture life without alcohol. Some day he will be unable to imagine life either with alcohol or without it. Then he will know loneliness such as few do. He will be at the jumping-off place. He will wish for the end.
We have shown how we got out from under. You say, "Yes, I’m willing.".
"Willing" is a bigger word than I had ever imagined.
Then about 6 months sober I was telling my sponsor how powerless over smoking I had become. He said "Well just keep smoking. You won't move to step 2 till your READY"
I'm still smoking...