Thoughts on Recovery – No. 6 – The First Step in Recovery

If you asked at a meeting what is the first step in recovery there would be hesitation then most would say step 1 of the 12 steps but that is not the first step in recovery. On p 30 in the chapter more about alcoholism it states “we learned we had to fully concede to our innermost selves that we were alcoholics. This is the first step in recovery. The delusion that we are like other people or presently may be has to be smashed!

The first of the 12 steps say we admitted we were powerless over alcohol. It doesn’t say we were alcoholic. I admit I am powerless over alcohol after I have admitted I am an alcoholic. Being an alcoholic makes me powerless over alcohol. Therefore the first step in recovery before I can take the first of the 12 steps is to fully concede to my innermost self that I am an alcoholic. Unless I do this I will not be successful in the working of the 12 steps.  That is why the big book has the Doctors opinion and the first 3 chapters for the reader to become convinced from their personal experience they are an alcoholic.

The founders realized from their experience unless the individual fully conceded to their innermost self they were alcoholic recovery was not possible. Therefore, I am required to fully concede to my innermost self that I am an alcoholic. What does it mean to fully concede? What does it mean to be an alcoholic? This will be discussed in my next thought. So ask yourself what that means for you.