»»   the FIRST STEP . . . Surrendering to win.

Ironically, dealing with addiction and / or alcoholism can require the same resolve that dealing with a lot of life's day to day challenges does.

First, there needs to be a level acceptance or acknowledgement that there is a problem. For many us, denial and ego prevented us from accepting that we were indeed defenseless, powerless over the compulsion to use drugs and / or alcohol. Rather than controlling how much alcohol we consumed or drugs we used; the alcohol and drugs controlled us. This isn't necessarily by choice, although it is indeed our choice to pick up the first drink or drug. However, more people are beginning to understand that after the first drink or the first line of cocaine or the first pill, there are those of us who experience a very physical phenomenon know as addiction. We are driven to drink and consume more alcohol and more drugs until the alcohol and / or the drugs now controlled us.

Secretly, the addict or alcoholic is drawn deeper and deeper into a cycle of bewilderment, guilt, and self-loathing. He or she may be able to admit to themselves that their life has become unmanageable, however, genuine acceptance in their souls of their condition can be elusive.

The process called for us to essentially admit defeat - an uncharacteristic quality in most men and women. Afterall, who wants to admit defeat? Who can willingly accept that he or she must surrender to actually win?

The truth is that admission that there is a problem is the most critical step in addressing addiction or alcoholism. It's equally important also in resolving the factors that perpetuate these diseases, motivate them, and hold us hostages in their grips.