22 Jan Taking The 1st Step

This blog post was written by Recovery Help Now’s, Cindy Weather’s, MFTi.

“We admitted we are powerless and that our lives have become unmanageable.”

This step is one that doesn’t come easy at first and there are a lot of people that struggle getting past this first step. Denial is a big part of alcoholism and addiction, and it’s not an easy barrier to break through.  Getting past this first step means that the ‘denial’ wall or barrier the addict surrounds themselves with has to be broken and torn down and that they’re in charge of doing it.

If you are struggling with the possibility that you may be an addict but are scared to take this first step, you are not alone.

We are all different in how we think, feel and interpret life, but admitting we have a weakness and that we are powerless over something as small as a liquid beverage is hard to swallow and accept.  It’s hard to admit that something in life can have such an emotional hold on you and that it’s bigger, stronger and more powerful than you are.  To be able to say that I’m powerless over alcohol when I’m ‘drinking’ might be easy for some to admit but, to being powerless when ‘sober’ is not quite so easy. And then it’s one thing to be able to say it but quite another to believe it and actually make a change.

Is your addiction negatively affecting your daily life?  Perhaps you’ve found yourself in trouble with the law, in your interpersonal relationships or at work.  The red flags might all be there however you somehow find a way to justify your actions.  The denial runs deep due to the fear of not being able to make a change.  A therapist or support group may be able to help you chip away the wall of denial and seek treatment.