Step 1

1. Read “The Doctors Opinion” and Chapters 2 – 3 in the AA Big Book. Highlight the places in the book where you find important concepts:

Powerlessness
• Physical Allergy – Phenomenon of craving; can’t stop; can’t control predictably.
• Mental Obsession – Power of the Effect”, using/drinking changes how I feel, ease and comfort, courage, excitement, super-natural experience. I think about this all the time and can't stop until I get it.
• Mental Blank Spot – Inability to see the consequences or can’t bring them to mind with sufficient force to stop, loss of power, choice, control.

Unmanageability
• External Unmanageability – Problems with circumstances; personal relationships, finances, problems with jobs, problems with the law, problems with livelihood like cars, home etc.
• Internal Unmanageability – Unmanageable feelings, Spiritual Malady, Soul Sickness, A black hole inside, shame, guilt, blame, depression, etc.
• Perspective Unmanageability – Unmanageability of the truth, self-deception, denial, delusion, dishonesty, old ideas, old belief systems, old conceptions, old motives; Decisions are made based on core values that are flawed.

2. Write a list of personal examples of how you are (or were) powerless.
3. Write a list of personal examples of how your life is (or was) unmanageable.
4. Write the following at the bottom of your page:

• I fully concede to my innermost self that I am alcoholic (or addict) as described in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.
• I fully concede to my innermost self that my life is unmanageable.
• I fully concede to my innermost self that the disease is chronic, progressive, and fatal and that I will never be able to drink b(or use) safely again.

First Step Prayer
Dear Lord, I admit that I am powerless over my addiction.
I admit that my life is unmanageable when I try to control it.
Help me this day to understand the true meaning of powerlessness.