He is the founder of the Neuroscience Research Institute which continues to conduct research on cutting edge medication and interventional psychiatry. Dr. Alam is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and the American Society of Addiction Medicine. He has won several awards and has been featured extensively on radio and television. Members of Alcoholics Anonymous or Al-Anon Family Groups present some great insight into the healing principles of the 12 steps. Many have said that taking that first step is one of the most difficult things to do.
- Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome, commonly known as “wet brain,” is a severe brain disorder primarily caused by a deficiency of vitamin B1 (thiamine) and is frequently linked to alcohol use disorder (AUD).
- The founding members of Alcoholics Anonymous wanted to help others suffering from severe alcoholism find the relief and freedom they had achieved.
- Deirdre has extensive experience in mental health and treating substance use disorder related issues.
- This newfound freedom and inner peace create a solid foundation for our recovery journey, enabling us to navigate life’s challenges with a sense of calm and clarity.
Embracing Powerlessness as a Strength
Her exceptional leadership skills, coupled with her unwavering commitment to delivering high- quality care, have allowed her to successfully oversee the day-to-day operations of a leading addiction treatment facility. With herself and her staff their main goal is to provide a safe, nurturing environment for our clients. Through her relentless pursuit of excellence, Sydney empowers individuals on their journey towards recovery, offering hope and healing to those in need. The AA first step, admitting powerlessness and acknowledging the unmanageability your addiction brings, is a crucial leap toward lasting recovery.
“The first step towards change is awareness. The second step is acceptance.”
Whether he’s leading groups or providing individual and family therapy, Kevin’s passion for serving those suffering from substance use disorders is always on display. When he’s not busy treating The Freedom Center’s clientele, you might find Kevin engaged in his other passion as an actor/director in the local theater community. Kevin’s expertise and experience as a Primary Therapist, paired with his natural talents and abilities as a speaker and an artist, have uniquely equipped him to reach our population and render top-notch care. Steeped in the 12-step philosophy and community, Shannon enthusiastically educates clients, especially newcomers in recovery, on the simple model and its transformative ways to a new life in sobriety. To admit powerlessness over alcohol (or drugs) means accepting the fact that you’ve lost control over your substance use.
Addictions Counselor
Prior to entering the substance abuse and mental health field, Shannon was a Corporate Executive for 18 years. The concept behind the references to God or a higher power in the 12-step program is to support addicts in the understanding that they need to find a source of strength that’s greater than themselves alone. This could mean God, a general belief system or the recovery community itself. Regardless of what addicts identify as their own personal higher power, it’s an expression that means they’re accountable to someone or something that’s bigger, more powerful and more influential than themselves. Recognizing your powerlessness over alcohol isn’t a sign of weakness but rather an acknowledgment of the addiction’s strength. Many who struggle with alcoholism have tried to control or moderate their drinking, only to find themselves repeatedly falling into the same destructive patterns.
- By relinquishing control over your addiction, you are now free to get help and support from others.
- By accepting that you’re powerless over alcohol, drugs or addictive behavior, you’ve come to terms with your personal limitations.
- The first step to recovery, according to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), is to admit that you are powerless over alcohol and that your life has become unmanageable.
- Few people intend to destroy their lives and relationships by drinking or doing drugs, but that is what can happen with addiction.
- Any thoughts at all of drinking again in the future mean that you have not fully admitted to yourself that you are powerless over alcohol.
- Shannon is a certified A.D.T. who has worked in different capacities at several rehabilitation centers in the state of Maryland.
It involves letting go of the belief that one can control their substance use and instead accepting the need for a new way of living. The 12-step program is based on the belief that one day at a time we can take control of our lives by making positive changes. Many peer recovery groups use examples of powerlessness in sobriety to help participants accept themselves for who they are. Acceptance includes taking responsibility for our actions and accepting that we cannot change what has happened in the past. Sydney Tubbs is a driven and compassionate Operations Director at The Freedom Center. With a profound understanding of the complexities surrounding addiction, Sydney has dedicated her career to improving the lives of individuals struggling with substance abuse.
- When drinking has become the priority and your career, relationships, finances, and other aspects of your life are suffering, these are signs that your life is unmanageable.
- Philosopher William James and Carl Jung a Swiss psychiatrist also played a part in supporting the concepts of a spiritual (not necessarily religious) experience as part of recovery.
- If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, help is available.
- Susan is no stranger to the fields of behavioral health and addiction.
In addition, Deirdre has experience in caring for young adults, women’s health issues and adolescents with HIV/AIDS. She served as a Wellness coordinator at Search for Change, Inc and currently serves as an Independent Practice Coach from 2011 to present. As the Family Nurse Practitioner, Deirdre performs history and physical exams, and works with clients to diagnose and treat dual diagnosis clients. After graduating high school, he attended college at the University of Coastal Carolina & Salisbury University.
So What Is the First Step Asking For?
You may be powerless over the effects of substance abuse, but choosing to be better every day is where that power returns. In addition to the title of Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Kevin is also licensed by the state https://ecosoberhouse.com/ of Maryland as a Clinical Drug and Alcohol Counselor. He holds a Master of Science degree in Counseling and has over 26 years of experience as a substance use/mental health counselor with the Montgomery County Government.
Powerlessness means that you are thoroughly convinced that if you put alcohol in your body, disaster will follow. Powerlessness means that you are not confused powerless over alcohol in any way that for you, alcohol is poison. Our family therapy program is second to none.Learn how we can help your family by calling a Treatment Advisor now.
Family Nurse Practitioner
Any thoughts at all of drinking again in the future mean that you have not fully admitted to yourself that you are powerless over alcohol. In this way, admitting powerlessness means accepting that you can never drink alcohol again in the future – even in full amounts. Joi Honer directs the operations that support our alumni in their recovery from mental health and substance use disorders. Ms. Honer, who has been in long-term recovery for over 40 years, has worked in the treatment field for over 33 years.
