The first step kicked my ass and hard. I've always expected others to respect my individuality, but I sure wasn't giving it when I tried to control others. I was a hypocrite and figured that out when I realized the more I tried to control, the more I lost control of myself. I wasn't respecting my own individuality.
Admitting powerlessness was a beat down for me, and it needed to happen. I had been playing God for way too long and I was lousy at it. I still say "I'm powerless over others" out loud and often. I have to or I'll get that craving again.