Resource for the AA 1st Step

[root]

I admit that I am powerless over alcohol—that my life has become unmanageable.

Recommended (mandatory) reading includes the following:

- Alcoholics Anonymous: up to page 41
- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions: pages 15-25


1.1 I permanently accept that I have no power over alcohol.

Write down (reflect on) what you think generally:

- What is the purpose of alcohol? How do people use it? And how do you use it?
- How does an average person drink? And how do you drink?
- What does it mean to be a social drinker? Are you one?
- What can we call problematic drinking? Do you have problems with your drinking style?
- Does alcohol affect everyone in the same way? How does it affect you?
- Can everyone control their drinking equally? How well can you control yours?
- Can psychological dependence on alcohol develop? Have you experienced signs of this?
- Can social dependence on alcohol develop? Have you experienced signs of this?
- Can habitual dependence on alcohol develop? Have you experienced signs of this?
- Can physical dependence on alcohol develop? Have you experienced signs of this?


Write down any experiences that support that:

- You are powerless over alcohol, that you have no power over it.


1.2 I accept that I have no power over others.

Write down (reflect on) what you think:

- Why is it important for people to act rightly?
- How do you feel when you see others acting wrongly?
- Why is it important for those close to you to behave according to your expectations?
- When and how have you been disappointed by those closest to you?
- Why would you like to trust others?
- How do you try to get people to do what is necessary?

Think of a situation when you were frustrated or disappointed with someone who did not do what you expected. Reflect on the following:

- Are you sure they should have done what you expected?
- Are you sure they didn't do it right the way they did?
- Are you sure you know what they should do?
- Are you sure you know what is good for them?
- Are you sure they are wrong?
- Are you sure you know who is good and who is bad?
- Could they have done it right?
- Could they be good?

Write down any experiences that support that:

- You have no power over others.
- Everyone is as they are.


1.3 I give up hope that I will ever be a social drinker again.

Write down (reflect on) what you think:

- Have you heard that alcoholism can be hereditary?
- Do you consider it possible that alcohol sensitivity is a genetic trait?
- Have you ever met people who drank problematically and then started drinking normally again?
- Have you ever met people who stopped drinking completely thanks to their strong will?
- Have you ever met people whom a doctor or psychologist turned into social drinkers?
- Do you know anyone whose craving for alcohol ceased due to medication?


Write down any experiences that support that:

- Alcoholism cannot be cured by human power (willpower, medication, psychology, etc.).
- The 12-step program can provide real help for real alcoholics.



1.4 I am becoming willing to change my way of thinking.

Write down (reflect on) what you think:


- If you try to do everything the same way as before, what will change?
- If you do not change, what will change?
- If you do not change your thoughts, will your feelings change?
- If you do not change your thoughts, will your actions and behavior change?
- If you do not change your thoughts, can your physical symptoms cease?
- If you do not change your way of thinking, will your thoughts change?
- If you change your way of thinking, can your mind become healthier?
- If you change your mind, will the world change?


Write down any experiences or observations that support that:

- Changing your way of thinking can lead to recovery.


1.5 I realize that my life rarely goes as I planned.

Write down (reflect on) what you think:

- What of your childhood dreams has come true?
- What and how of your plans from ten years ago has come true?
- To what extent have the last few years gone as you planned?
- To what extent has last month gone as you planned?
- What about last week or today?

Write down any experiences that support that:

- Your life rarely goes as you plan.


1.6 I realize that I cannot even control my own life.

Imagine that you are frustrated about something that did not go as you planned. Reflect on the following:

- Are you sure it would have been good the way you planned it?
- Are you sure it is not good the way it is?
- Are you sure you know what is good and what is bad?
- Could it be good as it is?
- What is good about it as it is?


Write down any experiences that support that:

- You cannot control even your own life.
- You don’t need to control everything.


1.7 I realize that I cannot change the events of the past.

Write down (reflect on) what you think:

- What does the past actually consist of?
- How reliable are your memories?
- Are you sure things happened the way you remember them?
- Would it really be better if things had happened differently?
- What makes you think that if things had happened differently, everyone would be better off now?


Write down any experiences that support that:

- You cannot change the events of the past.
- And it is not worth it.


1.8 I realize that the future will not be what I think it will be.

Write down (reflect on) what you think:

- Is it important for you to know your future in advance?
- Who is it that really wants to know the future?
- Are you sure the things you desire are essential for your peace of mind?
- Does it matter what your vision of the world’s future is?
- What will happen if your expectations about the future are not met?


Write down any experiences that support that:

- The future is not as you thought it would be.
- Sometimes, it’s better this way.


1.9 I accept that the present moment is always what it is.

Examine whether you often think the following:

- Why me?
- Why do I need this?
- Why did this have to happen?
- Why is it like this?
- Why isn’t it the way I wanted, the way I planned?
- Why is he like this?
- Why does he do that?
- Why doesn’t he do what he should?

Write down any experiences that support that:

- The present moment is always what it is.


Think about the following:

- How can I make the most of today?
- How can I promote my spiritual development today?
- How can I best help my fellow humans today?
- How can I give the most to the world today?