THE GOOD BOOK and THE BIG BOOK

12 STEPS

Step One of Alcoholics Anonymous

We admitted we were powerless over alcohol (dependencies, compulsive behaviors, addictions)
– that our lives had become unmanageable.


The problem of alcohol and drug abuse directly impacts almost one-third of all Americans.

Consider these facts:

- 18.5 million Americans are addicted to alcohol or abuse it. If each of these has about four family members or close friends affected by their alcoholism, another 74 million Americans are deeply affected (making 92.5 millions impacted heavily by alcoholism).

- Two thirds of college students under 21 reported drinking within the past 30 days, and of these 42 percent were binge episodes involving five or more drinks.

- Some 12 million abuse legal drugs, such as tranquilizers, amphetamines and sleeping pills.

- Two million use cocaine weekly, over one million are hooked on heroin.

- Prescription drug abuse is the fastest growing form of substance abuse in the U.S.

To those courageous enough to take their dependencies seriously, the "we” in Step One is a precious term. Finally, "we” have taken a step out of the shadows of addiction and find ourselves shoulder-to-shoulder with millions of broken people seeking restoration. Recovery from our compulsions cannot be found in isolation.

Alcoholism is a disease that is chronic and ultimately kills the addict and is devastating to everyone around him. It is said that the disease is an allergy of the body coupled with a compulsion of the mind. The alcoholic's life shrinks as the addiction encroaches upon every part of his existence. He is not only sick physically and mentally, but he carries a spiritual sickness – the root of his dilemma.

The alcoholic is restless, irritable and discontented. His life has become unmanageable in every sense until he takes the principle in Step One seriously. The fortunate one finds in his "bottoming out” a surrender of his own power, a reprieve from unmet promises and the release of all attempts to "control” his condition.

He must repent from a life of self-centeredness and ego-centricity. The confession of unmanageability - the humble posture of repentance - is the powerlessness required for the spiritual healing of his disease. He can then begin to exchange his humiliation for humility.

Step One requires total vulnerability. His condition now begs for a Power that can do for him what he cannot do for himself. A common prayer in use at that stage of the path was "O, God, manage me, because I cannot manage myself”. (1)

The Big Book, in pointing us to Step Two, says; "Remember that we deal with alcohol – cunning, baffling, powerful! Without help, it is too much for us. But there is One who has all power--that One is God. May you find Him now!” (1)
- Tom Thompson

Pacific Hills Treatment Centers and Recovery Options Network provide free resources that empower the Church and its members to effectively address addiction and substance abuse issues through Christ. We want to help you help others through treatment and educational resources. Please visit us at www.pachills.com or contact us at (877) 722-4455 for more information.

Trademarks and Disclaimer: ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, A.A., and Big Book are registered trademarks of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. Our special thanks to: Dick B., his published works and his web site, www.dickb.com. Our gratitude for the pioneering of Dr. Dale Ryan, founder of The National Association of Christians in Recovery, and his website, www.nacronline.com.

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