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I made my intentions clear as I held a bottle of pills in my hand. Looking back on my own drinking history, at least what I remember of it, I can see this phenomenon at work. But most of the time, once my lips touched whiskey, I’d drink like a thirsty dolphin.

It consists of six 90-minute group sessions led by a counselor who is in recovery and has extensive personal experience with 12-Step meetings. A primary goal of MAAEZ is to familiarize individuals with the “culture” of 12-Step meetings and help them anticipate and learn ways to deal with some of the issues in 12-Step meetings and programs that often lead them to reject future participation. It does not attempt to teach people about 12-Step philosophy and concepts, feeling that once at meetings and affiliated with the program this information will be provided by other members or one’s sponsor.

BARRIERS TO ATTENDANCE AND ENGAGEMENT

In addition to the title of Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Kevin is also licensed by the state 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. 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.

  • Being open to trying something new requires a great deal of courage because it’s an admission that you don’t have all the answers.
  • With each morning sunbeam, I realized the disappointment of having to endure another day with the bottle.
  • Reach out to Burning Tree Programs and discover the path to lasting recovery.
  • With the help and support of the right drug and alcohol rehab program, you have an excellent chance of a safe, successful, and enduring return to sobriety.For more information and to start your own sober journey, click HERE.

The main criterion for a successful First Step is a person’s acceptance that they do, indeed, have the disease of addiction. A person shouldn’t consider themselves weak-willed or incapable when they admit to their powerlessness, and they don’t have to do anything about their addiction yet. Step One is just asking a person to acknowledge that they have the disease of addiction, and life is harder because of it. Many people resist the term powerlessness because it contradicts much of what we have been taught. Believing you can do anything and fix everything if you just try harder and want it enough is instilled in us at any early age.

Alcoholics Anonymous Unmanageability List

Your counselor can help you learn strategies to stop drinking and can be one of the people you reach out to when you are struggling. Admitting powerlessness is essentially waving the white flag and recognizing examples of powerlessness over alcohol that you cannot try to drink anymore. History has proven that you have no control once a drop of alcohol enters your body. If you can grasp this knowledge, you will become a recovering, strong person.

It is the resistance to what is that causes the most suffering. Vanessa is certified in addictions counseling by Maryland’s Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists, with credentials as a clinical supervisor. She comes to The Freedom Center with over 14 years of direct experience in residential and outpatient treatment between the private and federal sectors.