But let’s start with powerlessness
So what is Powerlessness really? Understanding powerlessness is a lifetime’s work, no sooner do we feel that we are gaining an understanding of powerlessness then a life event shows us that we still have a long way to go. The unwritten extension of step one is that we are also powerless over people, places and things! Does this mean that I have no power over anything? Not exactly but pretty close.
Addiction Recovery guarantees you will be powerful! I can testify to that after 23 years of counselling people through addictions, dual diagnosis and various mood and personality disorders. Addiction is just simply doing the same rubbish over and over again that doesn’t work. It’s a brain disease of stuck-ness. So bad results five years ago for addicts will be bad results in five years time too. That’s the science behind it. Addiction to our thinking is a life long train smash for a ton of people. But there is most certainly a way through. It is much like the Greek myth of rolling a rock up the hill again and again, only to have it roll down again. That’s addiction right there.
To be powerful, means that you are able to take action. To be able to actually action what you want is a dream for most people. Addiction Recovery guarantees you will be powerful because it teaches you the trick of how to act. But only every time! Addiction Recovery guarantees you will be powerful because if you think, feel, think again and use the common sense recovery teaches you, you’re guaranteed to overcome, and have a gazillion times more chance of being successful in relationships, business and even in maintaining recovery abstinence. So here is the first key to assuring Addiction Recovery guarantees you will be powerful. From today!
Oddly, counter-intuitively, in our culture of individualism and self-centered valour, it is by surrendering that we can begin to succeed. It is by ‘admitting that we have no power’ that we can begin the process of accessing all the power we will ever need. Russell Brand
The concept of powerless is just too big to introduce in one helping, gaining an understanding of powerlessness over our emotions that run riot, is mind numbing enough without trying to deal with the ‘full’ concept! We are powerless over so much and yet as recovering and awakening people we continuously try and take control over situations that we arrogantly believe we can accomplish. What do I have power over? Well, not much but in itself is a lot and that is – what we do with our feelings. This is how the Universe has been designed. We can gain power, lots of it, and control over every day feelings by allowing ourselves to receive external input from appropriate resources. Please note I said ‘resources’ and not resource. It is important to create a network of support, especially in those earlier days of recovery otherwise we will attempt to take control over ours and other people’s lives. Tools your tools wisely.
So know that there is a universe out there that has rules, systems and ways of operating. You have access to those systems, no matter who you are. The Universe is always kind, and fresh starts are a given. So if you want more quality of life. Real, good, amazing life, then work an addiction recovery program like a champ. With humility. Then my friends, the sky is the limit and Addiction Recovery guarantees you will be powerful, action taking individual. You are not just a mind and body. Powerlessness is about getting humble. Its about shutting down the rampant, obsessive mind as it run down meaningless roads. Powerlessness is knowing you are here in mortal and vulnerable form, to wake up, have a spiritual experience and master your Monkey Mind!! Take 10 great decisions or steps a day. Add those up and see why Addiction Recovery guarantees you will be powerful. It ain’t rocket science.
Waking up to what is
When we admit that we are powerless over alcohol or drugs, we admit that we are living with a disease that alters the chemical makeup of the brain. It is not because of weakness or lack of willpower. Someone suffering from this disease did not make a choice to go too far and lose control, and they are not inherently lacking in values or good character.
Admitting powerlessness means admitting that no amount of trying or practicing or self-control is going to change the way that drugs or alcohol affect your brain, thus this is the first step in a lifelong journey of recovery. When you are 2 or 10 or 20 years sober, you are still going to be powerless over alcohol. But Addiction Recovery guarantees you will be powerful over everything else that is beautiful and not ugly. Power to choose, to decide, to give, to take, to put up boundaries, to love and laugh, to feel bliss and beauty…to sense a touch of heaven in your life everyday. It’s your gift.
Step One, a starting point for addiction recovery, is about accepting what is and what is not. It is a gateway to freedom and a proclamation of progress. As we go through the process of Step One, we are moving from a lack of awareness into an awareness of the reality of this disease and the possibility of change. We are beginning to believe that we are capable of living in a different way.
Most addicts and alcoholics do not walk into their first day of treatment believing that they are truly powerless and that their lives are unmanageable. Sometimes they deny that they even have a problem to begin with. “It’s only a few drinks. I could stop if I wanted to.” Others may minimize or justify their addiction. “It could be worse. You don’t understand. If you had my life, you would use too.”
This is a journey in itself. We have to wrestle with the idea of powerlessness, which includes acknowledging the many reasons why this is hard to admit, doing the work to see how powerlessness seeps into every crevice and corner, taking the time to figure out what this really means for the future, and continually returning to this step throughout our recovery journey.
Admitting you are powerless over alcohol, drugs or a behavior means accepting the fact that you have an addiction that exerts tremendous power and control over your life. Despite your best intentions, you’ve lost the ability to limit your intake of alcohol or drugs or stop the behavior. Change your mind, get humble and start a program to get rid of what doesn’t work and you’re on track for something great. Addiction Recovery guarantees you will be powerful in all areas of your life that you exercise your spiritual principles, leaving ugly, fearful and dark, for beautiful, loving and light!
It also means recognizing that once you’ve passed the point of being able to give up drinking on your own, you can never regain the ability to drink or use drugs in a way that doesn’t completely control your life.
For more information on how Addiction Recovery guarantees you will be powerful or our drug rehab center programs for inpatients, aftercare and even online packages for our recoveryposse please get in touch +27824424779 or email info@pathwaysplettrehab.co.za