Over the years he grew into becoming an advocate for people in recovery or seeking recovery from substance use disorders. James is a CCAR Recovery Coach and believes in developing meaningful relationships, and providing highly individualized therapy and client care. In 2017, James had the opportunity to combine his business experience and passion for recovery to start The Freedom Center. While admitting powerlessness over a substance may seem at odds with efforts to hold addicts responsible for their behaviors, the opposite is true. By accepting that you’re powerless over alcohol, drugs or addictive behavior, you’ve come to terms with your personal limitations.

What Does Powerlessness Mean in the 12 Steps?

She excels at problem-solving and takes pride in delivering tailored solutions. Mary builds strong client relationships, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ ensuring satisfaction with each interaction. Her attention to detail and communication skills are valuable assets.

James Scribner

• All of which makes you more receptive to learning and healing, which in turn makes it much easier to follow through with the remaining twelve steps of AA.
• This could mean God, a general belief system or the recovery community itself.
• When you are 2 or 10 or 20 years sober, you are still going to be powerless over alcohol.
• Whether he’s leading groups or providing individual and family therapy, Kevin’s passion for serving those suffering from substance use disorders is always on display.

Michael’s goal is to connect current client and alumni with resources to strengthen their life in recovery. By asking a HP to handle these things, I move toward acceptance of my powerlessness and choose therefore to direct my time and energies toward areas where I am not powerless. I have the choice to not drink, therefore I am not powerless over alcohol.

What Does AA Mean By Powerlessness?

This resilience allows us to navigate the ups and downs of recovery with greater ease, knowing that we have the inner resources to overcome obstacles. In addition, embracing powerlessness cultivates humility, reminding us that we are not invincible and that seeking help and support is a sign of strength, not weakness. This humility fosters a sense of connection with others and encourages us to learn from different perspectives. By embracing powerlessness, individuals in recovery gain the strength to face the challenges of sobriety with humility and resilience. It becomes an empowering realization that true strength lies in surrendering to the process and seeking the necessary help and guidance to overcome addiction.

What Is Powerlessness? Step One of the 12-Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous

To learn more about our vision and treatments, please contact us today. In sobriety, accepting limitations and vulnerability is an essential aspect of embracing powerlessness. Addiction can create a false sense of invincibility, leading individuals to believe they are immune to consequences and can handle any situation. However, the reality is that addiction makes individuals vulnerable and exposes their limitations. Accepting these limitations and acknowledging vulnerability is a powerful step towards personal growth and recovery.

What are the Benefits of Powerlessness in AA?

I have been on both sides of the fence, active addiction and recovery, and continue to choose recovery every day. Samantha is a compassionate therapist dedicated to helping individuals navigate their mental health challenges and find healing and recovery. Currently pursuing her advanced degree in psychology, Samantha’s personal journey of overcoming addiction fuels her passion for supporting others on their path to wellness. Samantha’s own journey of recovery serves as a powerful foundation for her therapeutic services. She approaches her work with empathy, understanding, and non-judgment, recognizing that everyone’s path to healing is unique.

• The Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Big Book says “powerless over alcohol” as its first principle.
• It also is not a lack of agency that implies we are helpless when it comes to choosing between right and wrong.
• Through this acceptance, individuals can find the support and resources they need to build a foundation for lasting sobriety.
• In 2017, James had the opportunity to combine his business experience and passion for recovery to start The Freedom Center.
• We in recovery are accustomed to living at the extremes of all or nothing.
• The impact of drugs and alcohol on your body over time renders your natural brain functions and mechanisms powerless.

Armed with credentials as a Registered Peer Supervisor, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, and Alcohol and Drug Trainee she has earned her place as a guiding light for individuals seeking hope and solace. Melissa’s illustrious journey includes a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland, College Park, while she currently works diligently towards her Master of Social Work (MSW) degree at Walden University. Melissa’s personal experiences with addiction and mental health struggles instilled within her a profound passion for supporting others on their recovery journey. Her unwavering commitment to peer support, coupled with her own lived experience, fuels her drive to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those facing similar challenges. I have over three years of experience helping individuals and families navigate life’s challenges of mental health and substance use.

Alcohol was not my saving grace that brought me peace and serenity – it was the enemy! Then he said, “I want you to write that list out so you have tangible evidence of what you are losing or have lost due to your alcohol and drug use.” When I put pen to paper, as they say, the evidence was clear. Everything that brought grief or loss to my life was directly related to my alcohol and drug use. This is when I realized that as long as my use continued, my life was unmanageable! Again, it is a hard truth to swallow, but for one to continue on a clear decision must be made or no further progress will happen.

What Does it Mean to Say You’re Powerless Over Drugs and Alcohol?

• It demonstrates the paradox of powerlessness and the role of surrender.
• Through mindfulness practices, seeking support from others, and embracing a higher power or spiritual connection, individuals can find the strength to overcome addiction and lead fulfilling lives in sobriety.
• Client wellness, especially when dealing with the delicacy of addictions, remains a priority that drives his full engagement and committed nature.
• The ways one tells themselves and everyone around them “see I’m okay” when they most likely are not.
• This acceptance creates more harmony and allows me to relate to myself in a far more loving manner.
• Being open to trying something new requires a great deal of courage because it’s an admission that you don’t have all the answers.

This experience allowed him to learn the inner workings of almost any aspect of a company. It also taught him the value of building meaningful relationships with clients and having a strong ethical framework. Erin has a master’s degree in management powerless over alcohol from University of Maryland, University College, and a bachelor’s degree in special education from Townson University. Prior to entering the substance abuse and mental health field, Erin was a Special Education Teacher for 10 years.

• In addition, to being a certified Addictions Counselor, Erin is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS), and a Registered Peer Supervisor (RPS).
• The self-awareness that comes with realizing how bad things are and how damaging the substance abuse has been is how you can start to desire a better future for yourself.
• It means recognizing that one’s drinking has become uncontrollable and that attempts to moderate or quit have repeatedly failed.
• Embracing a higher power allows individuals to let go of the need to control every aspect of their lives and trust in a greater force.
• Lazare Shadzeka is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner via the American Nurses Credentialing Center, with privileges in Maryland and Washington DC.