Suggestions on how to work step 1 please.
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Kiki,
Step one of Alcoholics Anonymous is very simple. This step requires zero action because all of the action was done prior to coming to AA. This requires us to admit defeat from Alcohol and that our lives had become unmanageable.
For me this was a no brainer because I was facing a lot of consequences from my alcoholic behaviors. I was given a restraining order, kicked out of my house, which then turned into a divorce. My work life was suffering and I couldn’t differentiate the truth from the false. I was desperate for help and nowhere to go.
What was it like for you prior to coming to the rooms for help? Is your life in order? Consequences? Or do you find it difficult to stop drinking once you start?
Not all of us have deep bottoms. Maybe there are medical reasons due to drinking that raising concerns about one’s drinking.
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Here is the first step prayer I ask my sponsees to say out loud in front of me when we get to this point in reading the big book.
God, Creative Intelligence, Universal Mind, Spirit of Nature or Spirit of the Universe my name is ______, And I'm a real alcoholic ... and I need your help today.
pg 10-12, 46, & Chp3)
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I was taught to read it in the big book and 12&12, then write an essay on my addictions and how my life became unmanageable
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My sponsor told me to write down 10 examples of how I am powerless over alcohol. Then she had me write down 10 examples of how my drinking and the obsession with drinking made my life unmanageable. It took me a few days and some thought. If you have a higher power, I said the first step prayer every morning (referenced in this thread) until I was ready to move on to step 2. Getting the truth of my drinking down on paper helps. Then I release it to my HP. 
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Kiki,
God Bless, this is Angelina.
As I was told, take it one day at a time. Sit down, shut up open my ears. Give it over to your Higher Power/God. I did.
30 meeting un 30 days -90 meetings in 90 days. Step1 will fall into place….!!!!
Remember, this is a quote that we have in the rooms :
Gods Minute
I have only just a minute, only 60 seconds in it. Forced upon me-I can’t refuse it. Didn’t seek it.didn’t choose it. But it’s up to me to use it. I must suffer if I lose it. Give it account if I abuse it. Just a tiny little minute. But eternity is in it.!
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Your doing it now your powerless
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Working Step 1..? Surrender with your innermost being that you’re powerless over alcohol (DOC) & that your life is unmanageable! You have what it takes but it’ll take what you have! Godspeed
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We have 5 lives. SPIRITUAL. MENTAL...PHYSICAL. EMPLOYEES/BUSINESS FINANCIAL. By the time we get to AA our lives are Shipwrecked. Powerlessness and unmanageability.
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I didn't believe my life had become unmanageable until I looked at all the aspects of life that were affected by my drinking. Wrote out a whole list and then a web.
And I didn't agree I was powerless until someone told me to go home and drink. So I did... every night for 5 days. I told myself he didn't know how risky it was, telling me to drink like that. And then it dawned on me!
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Thank you Brittany — this is exactly the help I needed!!!!
Thank you Kevin.
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Thank you Lisa!
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Thanks Angelina.
I read it with my sponsor in the 12x12 and then she had me write a list of 10 times I had been powerless and 10 ways my life had become unmanageable. I go back to it whenever I consider “trying” to drink again.
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Step one is critical. That’s why it’s first. It has two parts, the powerlessness and the unmanageability. The first relates to alcohol because when I drink I can’t stop. I am without strength or resource. The second relates to the consequences of the first. Remember this is only about alcohol. Read the 12&12 with your sponsor. More will be revealed.
Matt — ver helpful — thank you!
You welcome, that’s what we do. One alcoholic helping another a keystone of the AA program
Thank you Lis!
Have you read about it in the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions book?
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