Well, to keep it simple... I, as an alcoholic, am powerless over alcohol (without a higher power). My experience with alcohol has confirmed this over and over. The Big Book says that lack of power was my dilemma, so I had to find a power that could solve my problem. I found that power through the steps.
People will talk about other areas of powerlessness. For example I can't control how other people drive, I can't control the outcome of many things. When discussing powerlessness, I think about the Serenity Prayer. In it we ask God to grant us the serenity to accept things we can't change, courage to change those things we can, and wisdom to know the difference. So when a situation comes up that is not to my liking, I ask myself if I can change it? If I can't, then I must accept it.
That's the short version. Not really sure if I helped you out...
Here is one my sponsor gave me....he asked me the name of my favorite pet...easy I say, Bo bo my dogfriend when I was10. He then asked ME to erase him from MY memory. Thats powerlessness.
Welcome to MIP Kricket, ... ... ... glad you found us ... WOW, 'powerlessness' ...
I'm with 'Hello its me' post, on the alcohol bit ... but I have since found that I don't have power over many things at all ... especially over people ... so I also turn things over to a 'power greater than me' now, whom I chose to call God ... It works for me and many others I know through the AA program ... ... ...
Pappy
__________________
'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
From my perspective, the concept of 'Powerlessness' is just that; a concept. Conceptualizing the experience of addiction as 'powerlessness' is A.A's version of cause and effect. It's how we connect the dots between unmanageable behaviors and addictive drinking. However, the issue here is not just about the effects of alcohol once we ingest it into our system, that part is clear, the issue is also about real life 'powerlessness' and how it affects everything, including alcohol consumption.
There seems to be a great deal of confusion surrounding the physical aspect of alcoholism, and the inability to control consumption once alcohol has been introduced into the body -that part will never change. 'Powerlessness', however, as it relates to sobriety or not picking up that first drink, is where the lines are drawn in this debate. I respect that for many it is a difficult or unacceptable premise-- it defies logic and introduces an almost mystical or magical force into an otherwise neat and understandable equation. The concept that an inanimate substance swirling around in a bottle holds sway over my mind while outside my body requires some suspension of logic; at least it does for me.
This is why an 'accurate' assessment of my sobriety is so important. For example: I don't crave alcohol, per se, I crave the relief it provides. I'm powerless over my need to feel a certain way-- high, relieved, floating on air, or at the very least, at peace. So in a sober state, I'm at the mercy and distress of untreated alcoholism. My mind, body and sick spirit have been conditioned to seek the short-term effects of alcohol, despite the knowledge of longer-term consequences -because the longer-term consequences can always be offset by short-term relief. It's like the criminally insane version of pay-it-forward.
The truth is: Alcoholism effects just about everything including our thinking. Ideally, I'm doing very little thinking. I'm in the moment; my soul and mind are aligned with my spirit; I'm present; I'm of service to others; I'm in the sunlight of the spirit that's relieved me of the insanity to drink.
There are other people, however -and I am one of them- who find the concept of 'powerlessness' helpful, even though it can be unhelpful to others, and even damaging -especially when others -with control over certain people- insist that this conceptualization is the only possible way to view things, which is not always true.
So from my perspective, powerlessness over alcohol before the first drink, and not just the physical aspect of alcoholism, is also very important. I think we all agree, that powerlessness over alcohol once we are under the influence is rather convincing. I hope others do as well. Onward
-- Edited by Mr_David on Saturday 6th of September 2014 11:42:16 PM
If it is outside of myself...I'm powerless over it and if it is inside of myself I need help having power over it. One of my home group members just went out again and I was powerless over the decision and the outcome. Another alcoholic associate is making the decision to not cooperate with plans for recovery. I am powerless over that. I have tried everything to control my own drinking and the promise of being successful with that is lodged in my subconscious and my imagination which tells me that there will come a day when I can drink without negative consequence in spite of the reality that I have on several occasions reached the door of my own demise which wasn't in the plans of a Power Much Greater than alcohol. Today I constantly remain in the presence of that Higher Power whom I call Akua...the creator father defined within my culture. I work at not trying to overpower my Higher Power and to remain 24/7 in contact and humble (teachable) with it. I am surrounded by tools this Higher Power has put into my life and given me the opportunity to learn that using them has a better more acceptable outcome than drinking ever has. One is this program of recovery and thousands more are the fellowship of this recovery program. There is much more....Why do you ask? ((((hugs))))
Are you looking for things other than alcohol you are powerless over? I heard someone in a meeting share this one time...Have you ever had diarrhea real bad....And you try to hold it? That's powerlessness.
If you're talking about alcohol....I look at it like this
Once I start drinking...I have little or no control over the amount I drink. (Physical)
I have little or no say in when I start to drink. (Mental)
I suffer from an illness which only a spiritual experience will conquer. (Spiritual)
Any mind altered by chemicals exercises an influence over that person.
As a side-note:
As soon as we deviate from the truth (reality), we become powerless (unreal).
I believe the only time we are truly powerful is when we come from truth, love, and faith.
Anything else would be an example of being powerless.
__________________
"... unless this person can experience an entire psychic change there is very little hope of recovery." Dr. Silkworth. (Alcoholics Anonymous, 3rd Ed. p.xxix)
Some good examples given. I truly believe we are powerless over most things. I am powerless over results/outcomes. All I do is take the next step(action) and the results are not up to me. That's powerlessness.
I might even add that I'm powerless over my thoughts.... The EGO(powerful voices in our heads) is derived from agreements we've made over our years of existence. Some we didn't even know we made. So, sometimes the thoughts that pop into my head hold me hostage from expanding my comfort zone and enjoying life. I'm grateful to be an Alcoholic, because now I have a high power to have faith and trust in. Today, that Higher Power guides me through that fear to expand that comfort zone and enjoy a much larger life. What I've found is most of my thoughts which lead to fear are ungrounded and unfounded. It was all a mental construct from my past.
Thank you for taking time to respond.