I have come to understand that what creates a successful first step seems to be the proper state of mind. It is that state of mind that is classified by extreme desire and willingness. An individual who desires to get sober more than anything else, and is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve that end, has an excellent chance and remaining clean and sober for the rest of their life.

Think about it like this. If you were taking a cruise, and you fell overboard, and were getting ready to go under for the last time, would you tell your would be rescuers who just threw you one of those white doughnut flotation devices that you don’t care for the white one and do not wish to be rescued with something so plain. Instead, you want them to throw you one of those cool looking coast guard rings. Of course you wouldn’t. That would be ridiculous. The state of mind that we need for successful recovery is that of a drowning man. We must be willing to do anything.

Powerlessness is another critical component in the recovery process. Or should I say understanding that the alcoholic and addict do not possess the needed power to change. Anyone who has tried to quit on their own and found themselves unable to do so will know exactly what I am talking about. If I had the power that I needed to change myself, then I would have done so. I became unable to make my life work the way I wanted it to no matter what I did. Nothing ever seemed to go my way. I felt like I was always trying to swim upstream.