The first step to recovery for drug addicts

Source: Marcos Paulo Prado / Unsplash

In 12-step groups, addicts must acknowledge the powerlessness, uncontrollability, and denial that have affected them. This is known as the “first step” of the 12 steps.

It is vital for addicts to reach a point of despair where they can no longer cling to the fantasy that they can overcome their addiction on their own. By admitting their “powerlessness,” they are essentially submitting to their will and tenacity of self-determination. By declaring that they are powerless over their addiction, drug addicts paradoxically take responsibility for their lives.

The Power of Admitting Powerlessness for Those Suffering from Addiction

You may wonder how this is possible, since the term “powerlessness” can sound like an excuse for someone’s behavior. However, in the world of addiction therapy, this is an important milestone because we know that a person has reached a point of brokenness where they finally allow themselves and others to understand that their past self was enslaved by a behavior or substance that they could not stop using. at your own request. This very act of humility is an important turning point in the process of change.

Once addicts realize their past powerlessness, they must also realize that they have a choice in their future actions. Ironically, recognizing their powerlessness allows addicts to now have a say in their future behavior. They no longer have to give up their drug of choice because the process of recovery from rock bottom creates new opportunities for growth in a community with other like-minded individuals.

To clarify what it looks like in therapy, when clients stop denying and fully acknowledge their addiction, it is a change of heart. With a change of heart comes a receptivity to learning new skills and building new connections, as well as a willingness to take emotional risks. This means they can recognize the emotional, relational, and physical triggers that make them want to cope by giving in to their cravings. But they also learn that they now have a choice: call a colleague, journal, or think and pray about their situation in ways that were not available to them before.

A true addict in recovery may recognize his past powerlessness, but also share a renewed hope that gives him the agency to do something different in similar situations that would previously have caused him to gravitate toward his compulsive habits.

In short, addiction recovery has a lot to do with having choice and agency in one’s behavior and actions, while recognizing that the past self (the one drowning in addiction) had no “power” over one.