FIRST STEP PREPARATION

"WE ADMITTED WE WERE POWERLESS OVER MOOD-ALTERING CHEMICALS – THAT OUR LIVES HAD BECOME UNMANAGEABLE."

This step is a written step. It cannot be over-emphasized. It is the cornerstone of the new life that we have all been looking for.

Make a list of all the things that you have tried to do to control another person's use of a mood-altering chemical or to change their behavior. Describe these actions in as many words as necessary. Examples of these would be:

• Worry or preoccupation with the chemically dependent's behavior
• Hiding the chemical
• Lectures/reasoning with/moralizing
• Searching for supply of alcohol or other drugs
• Avoiding uncomfortable issues with the chemically dependent family, friends, etc.
• Tears, long nights and days
• Lying and covering up for the chemically dependent person

Are you beginning to see how actively you have become involved in trying to change another human being? Are you beginning to understand your powerlessness? Make a list of personal conditions in your life that make it uncomfortable.

Examples of unmanageability of your own life would be:

• Physical conditions (such as depression, nervousness)
• Social life altered (such as avoided friends, places)
• Emotional conditions (such as temper flare-up, insomnia)
• Character problems that have developed (lying, selfishness, judging)
• Spiritual bankruptcy (avoided church, prayer, fellowship)

We admitted we were powerless over alcohol and other mood-altering chemicals, that our lives had become unmanageable. Your primary goal in this step is to recognize and accept, on a feeling level, your powerlessness over addiction, dependency, and an addicted, dependent person -- that in your attempts to control the addiction and the addicted person, you were powerless and your life was unmanageable.

You will be responsible for this task and will be given the opportunity to express your feelings regarding Step One in group discussions.