One of the strongest challenges to twelve step recovery arises over the matter of the word "powerless" in the first step of the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other twelve step groups. Secondary to that is the matter of "God talk" which is closely related to the "powerless" issue. These issues are complex and can be understood at many different levels. We thought it best to give this controversy a page of its own with links here from other pages that would have reason to include this topic. If you read further, you will see that we think some of this is just plain silly, but the use of the word "powerless" does raise some issues that we think warrant serious discussion. Some of the arguments against the concept of powerlessness having a role in treating addictions are just plain silly. Others warrant consideration.
Our full article on "Powerless" attempts to explain what the traditional intended meaning of "powerless" is as it appears in twelve step recovery literature, then to explain where it is useful and where it is not, and then to suggest practical application of this knowledge.
Please read our full disclaimer. You are responsible for verifying our information before acting on it.
Return to references to "powerless" and "powerlessness" as they appear in other "members/ subscribers" pages about twelve step controversies:
- Powerless Reference in Main Article on Substance Abuse and Addiction
- Twelve Step Resources
- Destructive Controversy
- Seven Challenges
Additional discussion on this topic:
Links to pages on this website related to this topic:
- Full Powerless Article ("members/ subscribers")
- Introduction to Substance Abuse and Addiction (open to public)
- Full article on Substance Abuse and Addiction (members/ subscribers)
- Old format guidelines on addiction and substance abuse (public access, still recommended reading)
- New Definition of Addiction (Old Format) Some readers tell us they still find this helpful. The ASAM definition of addiction is more precise, but some readers say they understand that better after reading this Old Format entry.
- See Related article on Twelve Step Alternatives
- See Related article on Christian Recovery
- Twelve Step and Christian Recovery
- Teen Challenge an example of Christian Recovery
- Celebrate Recovery an example of Christian Recovery
- See Related article on The Destructive Battle over Recovery Methods
- See Related article on History of Differences over Treatment Resources
- See related article on The Seven Challenges
- See related article on Motivational Interviewing, Stages of Change, Transtheoretical Model
- See related article on Harm Reduction Model
- See related article on Dr. Lance Dodes (influential at Cedar Ridge Academy)
- See related article on Process Addictions
- See related article on Interventions and Interventionists
Navigation helps (this website):
- Return to Topics of Interest -- under Meeting Special Needs
- Return to Issues of Concern -- under Virtual Consultant
- Return to Substance Abuse and Addiction (link page under Virtual Consultant)
Links to relevant information on other websites:
- ASAM Definition of Addiction
- Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous
- Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous
- Alcoholics Anonymous -- Official Website
- Alcoholics Anonymous -- Wikipedia Listing
- Frank Buchman -- Founder of Oxford Group
- Oxford Group -- Wikipedia
- Sam Shoemaker -- Wikipedia
- Twelve Steps and Traditions -- With explanation, Official AA
- Twelve Steps (for people with no prior knowledge) -- Wikipedia
Last Update August 7, 2018