For anyone who has either suffered with an addiction or witnessed it in a loved one, it can appear as an illness or behaviour that feels impossible to control, hopeless, or even doomed at its worst. My professional career in addiction began as a nurse on a detox ward within a residential rehab, keeping me in daily contact with individuals who, at times, were facing death as a result of (usually) alcohol or drug addiction.
I was fortunate enough to have my first encounter with 12-step fellowships such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and others at this rehab. I learned a lot about what is known as "12-step recovery", which is advocated by these fellowships. Like many who encounter these programmes, some of the language was initially a mystery to me. One term that has come to be of great value to me is the concept of "powerlessness" and its meaning in relation to addiction.
What Is Powerlessness and How Does It Relate to Addiction?
The Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book describes powerlessness as not being able to take control of alcohol despite it making life unmanageable. Sounds obvious? Not always. Powerlessness over alcohol intake is often stereotyped as someone drinking upon waking and being unable to stop. While this is true, it can also manifest in other ways: binge drinking on weekends and being unable to stop during those times, continuing to drink despite medical advice to stop, ignoring pleas from loved ones who dislike how alcohol changes you, or drinking even though you dislike how it makes you behave or feel.
All of the above describe forms of powerlessness when it comes to alcohol. In my experience, these situations often lead to feelings of shame, fear, humiliation, and anger. These feelings can be so overwhelming that it becomes difficult to acknowledge the reality of what alcohol does to us when it is abused.
Alcoholics Anonymous works with a 12-step principle to regain control and peace in life. It begins with simply accepting the lack of control and the "powerlessness" that alcohol brings into our lives before considering what steps are needed to take back control.
How Can I Be Powerful?
Accepting powerlessness in any situation can feel like accepting weakness, vulnerability, and hopelessness. Guess what? That’s true! The good news, however, is that accepting that alcohol (or any addiction) renders us powerless can teach us ways to be powerful and manage our weak spots.
I was intrigued when spending time with my good friend Terry Fox, a North East strongman, discussing his perspective on being physically powerful and how it can be adapted to addiction recovery. Here are Terry’s top tips on being powerful:
Dedication
Achieving any goal requires dedication and prioritising the goal above all else, even when it’s tough. In recovery terms, this could mean prioritising abstinence from alcohol over everything else, including managing cravings, facing mistakes, or dealing with loneliness and hurt. It also involves committing to oneself and knowing when to say no or ask for help.
Consistency
Training muscles requires daily commitment, much like recovery requires a daily commitment to abstain from drugs or alcohol. Regardless of his mood, Terry shares that he sticks to his diet and training schedule. Similarly, recovery demands daily commitment, no matter the challenges or circumstances.
Confidence
Believing in oneself and the process is vital. Visualising the achievement of your goals and how it will feel can help you stay motivated. Confidence in recovery is key to striving for success every day.
Community
On days when you don’t feel strong, having a like-minded community for encouragement and support is essential. Terry trains in a gym where strength is the collective goal, and his peers’ support keeps him motivated. Similarly, recovery communities like 12-step meetings, family, or other support groups can add strength to your journey, especially when life feels overwhelming.
Focus
Whether it’s focusing on the next lift or a long-term competition, staying focused is essential for achieving goals. For recovery, focusing on daily tasks or preparing for longer challenges helps build resilience and strength over time.
Support and Resources
If you would like support to overcome powerlessness and feel empowered, consider exploring therapy or a 12-step fellowship. Both can provide guidance and community support to aid your recovery journey.