Powerfully Recovered
Powerfully Recovered!
How can she say that?
by
Anne Wayman
The idea that one can become powerfully recovered in Alcoholics Anonymous
and other 12 Step groups often raises eyebrows, and even ire. After all,
some argue, the First Step says we're powerless, and everyone knows
alcoholism (or any true addiction) is an incurable disease. How can she say that?
by
Anne Wayman
Surely, the thinking goes, that Step must mean we are perpetually powerless and involved in never-ending recovery.
My experience, however, tells me this thinking is misguided and leads to what I've come to call the Damaging Myths of Recovery:
- ·
I call these myths because they do not reflect the information and suggestions given to us in Alcoholics Anonymous (the Big Book) and The 12 Steps and 12 Traditions, (12 and 12) the original source material for all 12 Step Recovery. They are damaging because they prevent us from realizing the full potential the 12 Steps offer. They have grown up in the Fellowship over time, but are NOT part of the Program. By 'Program,' I mean the 12 Steps, the Big Book and the 12 and 12; 'Fellowship' refers to everything else, from meetings to coffee klatches.
The Myth of Perpetual Powerlessness
The root of the word power comes from the French and means to act. Powerlessness is an inability, or unwillingness to take action. We all recognize the sense of powerlessness when it comes to our addiction. We were unable to stop drinking (or using or practicing) on our own. As the First Step says: We admitted we were powerless over alcohol and our lives had become unmanageable.
Look closely! It's alcohol (or addiction or practice) we were powerless over and our lives became unmanageable because of our drinking (or addiction, etc.). Nowhere does it say that we are or were powerless over everything only our addiction, in this case, drinking.
But admitting defeat, coming to Program and working the Steps, is hardly a powerless action. We are taking a positive action on our own behalf. In fact, we are taking some of the most powerful action we ever could.
To claim we are powerless over everything in our lives is to deny the massive change the Program works in us for the good. When we continue to claim we are powerless, we are perpetuating a victim role.
On the other hand, to recognize that getting and staying sober, that letting go of our addiction is a powerful act allows us to stop being victims. We can then truly begin to live life 'on life's terms,' in all
The copyright of the article Powerfully Recovered in Substance Abuse Recovery is owned by De Williams. Permission to republish Powerfully Recovered in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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