Do you feel powerless?
Guest
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Canada
Posts: 4,580
I know for me it is very important that I have sovereignty over my own sobriety. It is my recovery...my program. I have utilized AA and I may again someday. There are many features and benefits to the program, but for me, I know that my own divine wisdom is NOT the problem, my addiction is. I may need help to battle that addiction, but I'm not down with slogans like "your best thinking got you here" that somehow seem to undermine my own intelligence. My addiction got me here..not my wisdom.
That being said, my definition is like Carl's, I am powerless over alcohol..not my recovery. I have to admit that booze will kick my arse everytime I enter that ring. I can't outsmart that one.
That being said, my definition is like Carl's, I am powerless over alcohol..not my recovery. I have to admit that booze will kick my arse everytime I enter that ring. I can't outsmart that one.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,293
Donny
Sounds like you are open to listening to what others think about alcoholism and are willing to take suggestions on how to deal with it. I think maybe that should be a Step 0, before Step 1, since without it, the rest of the Steps wouldn't be possible.
Don't worry about hesitating talking in the meetings. it can be very intimidating and some people have very strong views on some things, as you already found out. There's a pretty good chance someone else at the meeting you attend is wondering what powerless means also. If one of those people asked the same question, they would probably get the same responses you would get. Nothing personal. John
Sounds like you are open to listening to what others think about alcoholism and are willing to take suggestions on how to deal with it. I think maybe that should be a Step 0, before Step 1, since without it, the rest of the Steps wouldn't be possible.
Don't worry about hesitating talking in the meetings. it can be very intimidating and some people have very strong views on some things, as you already found out. There's a pretty good chance someone else at the meeting you attend is wondering what powerless means also. If one of those people asked the same question, they would probably get the same responses you would get. Nothing personal. John
Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Ohio
Posts: 3,785
Originally Posted by Donnylutz 
I still don't feel my drinking is unmanageable, though I could definitely be wrong.
Again, I could not see how much I had to spin daily to keep drinking, it only came to light when I stopped.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Bklyn. NY
Posts: 1,859
You said that you immediately knew that drinking messed up past opportunities. To me, that means drinking was making your life unmanageable. Some of us are luckier than others and are able to throw the towel in before that unmanagability completely destroys our lives. I believe you might be one of those lucky ones. It sounds from your original post and experience though that if you continued drinking, you'd at some point reach the same unmanagability that many of us have.
As for the powerless part, for me it's as simple as knowing I'm no match for alcohol. Once I pick up a drink, alcohol is in control. I lose. Alcohol wins. I have less power. I'm therefore power-less.
Took a long time for me to really accept that in my bones though. I wrote a blog, "If only she knew,'" that tells the story with my complete admission of powerlessness. Regarding alcohol. I now consider myself very powerful in many other ways. And will always have a will. My will. That in turn over to the care of God. That's been working out pretty well for me
.
As for the powerless part, for me it's as simple as knowing I'm no match for alcohol. Once I pick up a drink, alcohol is in control. I lose. Alcohol wins. I have less power. I'm therefore power-less.
Took a long time for me to really accept that in my bones though. I wrote a blog, "If only she knew,'" that tells the story with my complete admission of powerlessness. Regarding alcohol. I now consider myself very powerful in many other ways. And will always have a will. My will. That in turn over to the care of God. That's been working out pretty well for me
.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: USA
Posts: 244
Originally Posted by Tonks
I don't know Donny. The thought of even attempting to manage alcohol again absolutely terrifies me... I'm more comfortable just not touching it ever again and I freely admit that. Why even put myself in that position?
I'm not sure that's in the best interest of anyone.
I'm not sure that's in the best interest of anyone.
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,380
I still don't feel my drinking is unmanageable,
Don't let the dialogue in you head, and a little bit of pride convince you there is no problem Donny.
Take from one who's been there...that's a very silly thing to do.
D
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,380
Let me clarify, the only way I can manage my alcoholism is by not drinking ever again. If I'm unable to abstain, that shows I can't manage it. By managing my alcoholism I mean I'm never touching it again.
D
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