Working the 12-Step Program – Step 1

Here at Victory Bay, our Outreach Coordinators are wonderful links between our drug & alcohol rehab center and those suffering from substance abuse. They can help connect those who are in need of help to a customized program from Victory Bay as well as share their personal experiences. In this video, Outreach Coordinator Vanessa Vitolo discusses the importance of step 1 in working the 12 step program for recovery:

Or read the transcription here:

“Hi guys, how are you? My name is Vanessa, and I’m an Outreach Coordinator for Victory Bay Recovery Center. I’ve stayed sober by working the 12-step program, and today, I’m here to talk to you about step 1. In step 1, we admitted we were powerless over our addictions and that our lives had become unmanageable.

There’s often a pretty big pre-conceived notion that comes along with step 1: people often equate the word “powerlessness” to “weakness,” and that’s not the case at all. It takes courage to admit that you have a problem with drugs and alcohol. It takes courage to ask for help. It takes courage to want to get sober. 

Unmanageability is also a really big part in step 1. I struggled with this for a long time. I thought that since my outward manageability wasn’t noticeable – such as my car, my bills were being paid, my job (was barely being upheld), I thought that it was ok and I had a grasp on things. But I was wrong. My inward unmanageability was what was really affecting me, such as my irritability, my inability to react to things in a proper way, also my discontent – I was really unhappy with myself and with my life, and what I had created for myself. And by admitting that I had a problem and that I needed help – I was powerless over drugs and alcohol and that my life was unmanageable – I was able to take the first step to freedom.

I hope you’re willing to do that too. Thank you.”

Learn more about our 12-step program HERE or contact us today to talk to us about the road to recovery.