Step 1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol – that our lives had become unmanageable. (Alcoholics Anonymous page 59) In our beloved AA Big Book, we find the directions for Step 1 in the chapters:
The Doctor’s Opinion and More About Alcoholism.
I find in the Doctor’s Opinion some really valuable information from Dr. Silkworth in regard to why I am an alcoholic, food and exercise addict.

He says “the body of the alcoholic is quite as abnormal as his mind “in AABB page xxvi. My mind tells me this time I can handle it,
but because I have an allergy it sets up the phenomenon of craving and I’m off in my addiction and am doomed.

When I surrender I am given hope “the only effort necessary being that required to follow a few simple rules” AABB page xxix. By following the rules (I believe this refers to the plan of recovery laid out in the Big Book) it gives way to an entire psychic change.

I am willing to accept that “something more than human power is needed to produce this essential psychic change” (AABB page xxix). So, I accept the plan outlined in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous and remain to pray.

In the chapter ’More about Alcoholism’ I find just driving home the point that I will never be normal. “There is no such thing as making a normal drinker out of an alcoholic” (AABB page 31).

Whatever addiction I am practicing, I am in the grips of a progressive illness, so I need to have a progressive recovery.

IF I fail to enlarge my spiritual life I’m doomed. I must continue to surrender, to be humble, which I was taught meant to be teachable.

In this chapter there are four great examples I can relate to because each one is about trying to do it my way.
The chapter tells me that the program of action is pretty drastic and it’s not going to be easy, but the way I had been living was just as drastic and not easy in a destructive way. Even though I am a lazy person I decided to give this way of life all my effort.

I know I have no effective mental defense against my addictions and that my “defense must come from a Higher Power”. AABB page 43.
I’m good with that, as my trust grows and so do I.

Thank You Dear God my Friend, and so it is, blessed be. Michaeline