Originally Posted by
Optimist4ever57 
Hi Sunflower! I owe my 3 year sobriety to a 12 step program. Being somewhat of a control freak, I too struggled with the first step. I just listened, did the work and waited for step 2. You don't have to "agree" with everything at first. Later steps convinced me that I am powerless but it is not essential to gaining the benefits of the rest of the program. I hope you reconsider and joindde02 Hugs...
I don't feel that AA is the only way. My issue is, and perhaps I didn't express it correctly as I wrote that before my coffee, I believe I am powerful and my own God is within me. I believe in a higher power but I do not pray to it because I believe we all have access to it when we become spiritually enlightened. Yes, I cannot drink again but I am what I think I am. I can be as strong and powerful as I believe. Does that make sense? I don't like that concept that I have to surrender to something outside of me, because I believe we hold all the power within ourselves.