re: Who will admit to be in recovery?

you still out there brother?

Thanks for everyone also in recovery chiming in. They are many of us, 16% of Americans have some degree of substance addiction. Addiction is a medical disease like other diseases. It is NOT a moral failing. It has causes that are not in your control (genetics, childhood events, depression/anxiety, among others), causes structural changes in your brain that worsen it. If you are unsure if you are addicted I would recommend taking a look at the 11 DSM criteria for substance use disorder and scoring yourself honestly. 2 or more is mild, 4 or more moderate, and 6 or more severe. Moderate and severe need treatment IMO

The 12 steps are proven to be effective. They are not perfect but they are the best tool we have currently. Honesty, open-mindedness and willingness are at the core. There is a logic to the order and doing them one at a time I think is important. They are not easy though and take considerable time. Addiction takes years or decades to develop so have some patience with recovery, don’t pillory yourself because you haven’t gotten there yet.

The biggest problem I had was not understanding what each step really means with regard to powerlessness, a higher power etc. For instance, a very high percentage (big book says 50%) of AA’s were agnostic or atheist before they started. Some find religion but many don’t. It fortunately doesn’t matter, they remain sober and content. The 12 steps are actually very general, don’t get caught up by a few words. AA is at it’s core open-minded and flexible about the process of getting sober. I encourage anyone dealing with addiction to read the first 160 pages of the blue book and the 12 traditions

Most important steps are 1,2, and 4 IMO

1. Essentially is honesty. Be honest with yourself regarding your alcohol/drug abuse. Take the time to write down every time you can remember when alcohol affected your relationships, obligations or opportunities you missed because you used instead, put yourself in danger, times when you attempted to control your use that failed, affected your career, got you in legal trouble, etc. (Not ever getting arrested, divorced, or “hit rock bottom” does not mean you aren’t addicted). The exercise is worth it. The goal is to see the immense power the drug has had over your life and realize that controlling it on your own has and will continue to fail.

2. Essentially is hope, open mindedness, and non-self-centeredness. Hope that there is a path to recovery, which requires open-mindedness. The only requirement for a higher power is that it is not yourself, as self-centeredness is toxic. There are essentially an infinite number of higher powers including but not limited to God, the 12 steps, nature, the connected universe, etc

3. Essentially is to decide to go to Step 4

4. Courage. By this point you should have a sponsor to guide you and support you through this. Make a list of all of the resentments you hold onto throughout your life. things you are angry about, hold grudges for, that still bother you when you think about them. To parents, siblings, children, other people who you feel have wronged you. Also, reflect on yourself and write down the things that you feel are wrong with yourself

Then continue on from there