Loosid Sober Tip of the Day August 28

Understanding powerlessness.

When we say we are powerless over alcohol or substances, it’s important to understand what this means as powerlessness is often perceived as negative or ‘weak’.

Many of us think it means we are not strong enough. We don’t have enough will power. Others amongst us think if we are tough enough, we can beat it. We just need to try harder.

So we try again. We will do better next time… and then the next.

We are baffled as no matter how hard we try it simply doesn’t work. Or, for others, it works… until it doesn’t.

What you need to know is powerlessness IS the very power that allows us to get better.

It is accepting the fact that we have a disease. Once we understand that we have a disease, we realize IT IS NOT OUR FAULT.

Powerlessness over alcohol is the same as if you had diabetes and were powerless over your body’s ability to produce insulin. Your body either doesn't make enough insulin or can't use its own insulin as well as it should.

You can also be in incredible shape and have high blood pressure.

Despite the fact we are powerless whether we have diabetes or high blood pressure, there is effective treatment for both.

Here’s the great news…

If you are an alcoholic or addict, know that it is 100% treatable as well.

The first step, however, is to accept that you are powerless, only then will you be ready to accept treatment to get better.

How did this tip resonate with you? Let us know your thoughts below. There are many people in the Loosid community who need to hear what you have to say.

With Love, Loosid :pray::heart:

4 Likes

Once we realize that we are powerless over alcohol, we can then accept that we are also powerless over people, places, and things. When we come to this realization, we can then start to live a life where we don’t have to drink or use.

1 Like

Absolutely! It’s the very first & important step to come to the realization that you are slowly killing yourself and

1 Like

You need to reach out for help! Use the tools in your tool box :pray:

1 Like

There are numerous ways neuroscientists are working to reverse the “powerlessness”, which indirectly show it’s physiological nature.

I’ve pasted a couple links below. a pharmacological approach;
and a more neuroanatomical, anecdotal article, respectively.

  1. Exposure to cocaine dynamically regulates the intrinsic membrane excitability of nucleus accumbens neurons - PubMed

  2. A Hole in the Head, by Zachary Siegel

Enjoy!

1 Like

For 30 years I was always going to do something about it next weekend. September 16th, 2003 next weekend finally showed up and it wasn't my choice. Through my journey and sobriety over the years. I've learned that I'm powerless over many things..
Except the things I cannot change, change the things I can. And as I continue on my journey, I gained the wisdom to know the difference. And without that the first two sentences don't mean s***

2 Likes

Exactly. Powerlessness to me, means once I take that 1st drink I have no control over how much I drink or when I stop. I have no "OFF" switch. I had no defense over taking that 1st drink. I needed a power greater than myself to be that defense. Now it's so important that I stay closely connected to that higher power. The stronger my connection is with my HP the farther away I am from taking that 1st drink. I can't get drunk if I don't take that 1st drink.