Step 1

Official Wording:

"We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable."

What It Means: This step is about coming to terms with the reality of addiction. It emphasizes:

Acceptance that alcohol has taken control and is causing serious consequences.
Letting go of denial and facing the truth about how alcohol has impacted one's life.
Beginning the journey toward recovery by recognizing that change is needed.

Why It Matters: 🧭 Step 1 is often seen as the most difficult yet most vital step, because:

It requires deep honesty and vulnerability.
It sets the tone for all the steps that follow.
It opens the door to support—from others and from a higher power, if one believes.

"We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable."

Journaling Prompt:

Reflect on the moments when alcohol felt in control of your choices. → What patterns or situations made you feel powerless?
Describe one experience where your life felt unmanageable due to drinking. → How did that affect your relationships, work, health, or mental state?
What emotions come up when you consider giving up control? → Fear, relief, doubt—write about them honestly.

Imagine alcohol as a force outside yourself.

If it were a person, what kind of relationship do you have with it?
How has this “relationship” shaped your life, and what boundaries might help you break free?