October 5: Spiritual Principle a Day, read by Sabina

Spiritual Principle a Day for October 5, read by Sabina

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October 5

Powerlessness, Step One, and Tradition Five

"The First Step of Narcotics Anonymous is unique. Rather than addressing a single symptom or substance, we admit our powerlessness over the disease that drives us."

—Guiding Principles, Tradition Five, “For Members”

––––=––––

Depending on who’s telling the story, our First Step’s focus on the disease was either (A) a stroke of genius, (B) tremendous good luck, (C) the work of a Higher Power, or (D) all of the above. Our founding members knew that identifying a specific drug as the object of our powerlessness wouldn’t work for this motley crew. They were intent on creating a place for all drug addicts, where all of us could find identification. If refraining from naming a substance had been their only concern, our First Step might have just stated that we’re powerless over drugs. Instead, Step One points to the disease of addiction as our problem.

Powerlessness over the disease gives our First Step lasting relevance. Our focus on addiction—instead of an apparent symptom—makes Step One as relatable before we detox as it is when we have decades clean. Sure, drug use was the most prominent and destructive manifestation of the disease, but unmanageability can bubble to the surface long after we’ve stopped using. When reaching outside ourselves to fix what’s within seems like a good idea, we may be in trouble. “When I admit my powerlessness, I interrupt that outward reach and turn to my Higher Power instead,” one member observed. Surrendering to the First Step acts as a circuit breaker on our diseased thinking. This pause in the action is what’s needed for us to dodge some unmanageability.

Step One’s ongoing relevance influences how we think about the Fifth Tradition, too.

Knowing we’re all eligible to be the still-suffering addict reminds us to be more inclusive as we address our primary purpose. War stories may illustrate the unmanageability in our past, but our present-day, squeaky-clean powerlessness also deserves some attention.

Talking about our struggles confirms that last element of our message: We keep coming back and keep finding a new way to live.

––––=––––

Spiritual Principle:

I will recognize my powerlessness in some present-day situation, flipping the circuit breaker on some distorted thinking and opening myself to spiritual solutions.

––––=––––

© NA World Services

This podcast is not affiliated with Narcotics Anonymous, and is an independent production of the Works of Wisdom

Episode Transcript

(00:03):
Welcome to the Voices of Recovery podcast.
This is your Spiritual Principleof the Day episode featuring a
recovering addict. Hi, my name is Sabina.

(00:24):
My clean date is September 9th, 2000.
You're listening to the Voices of Recovery podcast.
This is the spiritual principle of the day for October 5th.
Powerlessness Step 1 and Tradition 5.

(00:44):
The first step of Narcotics Anonymous is unique.
Rather than addressing a single symptom or substance, we admit
our powerlessness over the disease that drives us.
Guiding Principles Tradition 5 For members, depending on who's
telling the story, our first steps focus on the disease was

(01:08):
either a a stroke of genius B tremendous good luck C the work
of a higher power, or D all of the above.
Our founding members knew that identifying a specific drug as
the object of our powerlessness wouldn't work for this motley

(01:29):
crew. They were intent on creating a
place for all drug addicts whereall of us could find
identification. If refraining from naming A
substance had been their only concern, our first step might
have just stated that we were powerless over drugs.
Instead, step one points to the disease of addiction as our

(01:51):
problem. Powerlessness over the disease
gives our first step lasting relevance.
Our focus on addiction instead of an apparent symptom make step
one as relatable before we detoxas it is when we have decades
clean. Sure, drug use was the most

(02:12):
prominent and destructive manifestation of the disease,
but unmanageability can bubble to the surface long after we've
stopped using. When reaching outside ourselves
to fix what's within seems like a good idea, we may be in
trouble. When I admit my powerlessness, I

(02:32):
interrupt that outward reach andturn to my higher power instead,
one member observed. Surrendering to the first step
acts as a circuit breaker on ourdisease thinking.
This pause in the action is what's needed for us to dodge
some unmanageability. Step One's ongoing relevance

(02:56):
influences how we think about the 5th tradition too.
Knowing we're all eligible to bethe still suffering addict
reminds us to be more inclusive as we address our primary
purpose. War stories may illustrate the
unmanageability in our past, butour present day squeaky clean

(03:18):
powerlessness also deserves someattention.
Talking about our struggles confirms that last element of
our message. We keep coming back and keep
finding a new way to live spiritual principle.
I will recognize my powerlessness in some present

(03:39):
day situation, flipping the circuit breaker on some
distorted thinking and opening myself to spiritual solutions.
The Voices of Recovery Podcast is an independent production of
the works of Wisdom. We welcome your questions and
donations via PayPal at [e-mail].

(04:04):
This podcast is an independent production and is not affiliated
with, associated with, authorized by, endorsed by, or
in any way officially connected with Narcotics Anonymous or any
of its subsidiaries or affiliates.
While any literature may be readduring episodes for the purpose
of supporting recovery, such usedoes not constitute an official
endorsement or representation byNarcotics Anonymous.

(04:26):
In accordance with any tradition, The NA name is not to
be used to endorse or be affiliated with any outside
enterprise, and no such endorsement or affiliation is
implied. Music is by Sage.
Thanks for listening to the Voices of Recovery podcast.