"We admitted we were powerless over
alcohol -- that our lives had become unmanageable."
In the First of the Twelve Steps, we affirm the
phrase We admitted.
Please notice first: the First Step begins
with the word "We," not "I." Many have gone before us. We join a
fellowship of millions when we say that first word "We," and
begin to work our Program, whatever 12 Steps Program we join.
When we say, "We," we understand that we are
not alone. We end our isolation. When we feel pressured to use
again or yield to a compulsion or dependency, we can join with
others in our Fellowship, call our Sponsor, or attend a meeting.
We do not need to face our problems or obstacles alone. We can
get help from others in our Fellowship.
Notice the next word: "admitted." We need to
end our denial. We need to quit denying first to ourselves (and
later to others) that "We don't have a problem." We do have a
problem, addiction, weakness, or co-dependency that is
disrupting our lives, and probably the lives of others,
especially our families and co-workers.
Some of us can affirm all of the First Step
quickly and easily because we know we have hit bottom. For
others, to say "We admit" is not so easy. Given enough
experience with our situation and time for reflection, we will
be able to say from our hearts: "We admitted we
were powerless over alcohol (or change the word "alcohol" to
your own situation) -- that our lives had become unmanageable."
