Simple Directions for Step 1 and the Principle of Honesty

Simple Directions for Step 1 and the Principle of Honesty

Step One: Embracing Powerlessness and the Principle of Honesty

When we first come into recovery, we are often greeted with the words of Step One:

“We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.”

These words, while simple, are profound and foundational for the journey that lies ahead. Step One is where everything begins—it’s the foundation upon which the entire recovery process is built. But how do we truly work this step? And what role does honesty play in this process?

Let’s break it down.

Directions for Taking Step One

The Big Book gives us some clear guidance on understanding our powerlessness and unmanageability:

  • Read “The Doctor’s Opinion” (pages xxv-xxxii): This section offers an essential medical perspective on the nature of alcoholism as an illness. Understanding alcoholism as more than just a lack of willpower opens the door to acceptance.
  • Read Chapters 1-3 (pages 1-43): These include “Bill’s Story,” “There Is a Solution,” and “More About Alcoholism,” which expand on the experience of powerlessness and show us how others found recovery.

As we dive into these readings, we start to see the patterns in our own drinking behavior reflected in the stories of others, confirming that we too have been powerless and that our lives have spun out of control.

Principle One: Honesty

Step One is about more than just reading; it’s about practicing honesty—honesty with ourselves, with others, and with our higher power. But for many of us, honesty is a principle that may have been lost in the fog of our addiction. Recovery is about bringing it back into focus, one step at a time.

Here’s how you can start working with honesty while taking Step One:

  • Highlight the “Musts”
    As you read through “The Doctor’s Opinion” and Chapters 1-3, pay special attention to the “musts.” These are the non-negotiables that the Big Book lays out, underscoring just how vital these actions are for our recovery. Highlight them, reflect on them, and consider how they apply to your own life.
  • Reflect on Your Worst Moments
    Take time to write out the worst things you did while under the influence of alcohol. This isn’t about beating yourself up—it’s about acknowledging the truth. How did you feel about those actions then? And how do you feel about them now? By confronting these moments honestly, you can start to break through the denial and shame that may still hold you back.
  • Assess Your Life Today
    Next, write down a few things that are currently unmanageable in your life. Keep it brief, but don’t shy away from the truth. Unmanageable situations can range from finances and relationships to emotional health and physical well-being. This exercise helps to ground the concept of unmanageability in your day-to-day reality, making it personal and undeniable.
  • Explore the Definitions
    Take a moment to look up the definitions for key words like admit, powerless, unmanageable, and honesty. While these are simple words, their meanings in the context of recovery carry a depth that can unlock new insights. Understanding the language of recovery is an important part of taking the first step.

Working Step One in the 12x12

The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions (commonly referred to as the 12x12) offers another rich resource for exploring Step One. Read through the description of Step One in the 12x12, where it dives into the layers of personal surrender and the importance of recognizing our inability to control our drinking.

The Core of Step One: Surrendering to Honesty

At its heart, Step One is about surrender. It’s about laying down the fight and admitting that no matter how hard we try, we can’t control our drinking or the consequences that come with it. But surrender isn’t a sign of weakness. In fact, it’s a courageous act that opens the door to freedom.

The courage to admit that we are powerless—and that our lives have become unmanageable—is the beginning of recovery. But none of this can happen without the practice of honesty. We can’t gloss over the truth or minimize the impact of our drinking. We have to face it, own it, and allow it to be the foundation for the change we so desperately need.

Moving Forward

As you work Step One, be gentle with yourself. It’s normal to feel resistance or fear when confronting these truths, but remember that you’re not alone. Countless others have taken this step before you, and they too have found the freedom that comes from admitting powerlessness and embracing honesty.

Step One isn’t a one-time event—it’s a daily practice. Each day, we reaffirm our powerlessness over alcohol and the unmanageability of our lives, and we choose to live honestly, one day at a time.

By starting here, you’ve already made one of the most important decisions of your life. Stay honest, stay open, and keep going. Recovery is just beginning.


Feel free to revisit the readings and suggestions above as often as you need. Working Step One is a process, and every time you return to it, you’ll find new layers of understanding and growth.

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