Step One:

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

Who cares to admit complete defeat? Practically no one, of course.
Every natural instinct cries out against the idea of
personal powerlessness. It is truly awful to admit that,
glass in hand, we have warped our minds into such an
obsession for destructive drinking that only an act of
Providence can remove it from us.

Twelve Steps & Twelve Traditions, page 21. Copyright © 1981 Alcoholics
Anonymous World Services, Inc.

First Step Prayer
Dear Lord, Help me to see and admit that I am powerless over my alcoholism. Help me to understand how my alcoholism has led to unmanageability in my life.
Help me this day to understand the true meaning of powerlessness. Remove from me all denial of my alcoholism. (This prayer is developed from the chapter,
More About Alcoholism)