Step 1a Physical Craving

The 1st Step is our, Foundation of Complete Willingness,” (Pg.12,¶4,L20). “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol…” (Pg.59,¶2,L2). Like 3 sides of a triangle, step 1 affects; a) Body, Physical Craving, b) Mind, Mental Compulsion, and c) Spirit, Spiritual Unmanageability. It's an illness or malady that's operative whether I’m drunk/high or sober/clean, so my compulsive addiction is insane.

'The Dr’s Opinion,’ is a diagnostic testament that outlines my allergy and obsession with alcohol & drugs. (Pg.xxiii-xxxii, LP.xxi-xxviii).

This abnormal reaction defines me as an alcoholic, my 'allergy' gets activated by the 1st drink/drug, then it causes an intense thirst for more, getting stronger with each drink or hit. This loss of choice and control is powerlessness.

1. Have I, "come to regard myself as hopeless?" (Pg.xxv,¶3,L15, LP.xxi)
2. Will I believe, "the body of the alcoholic is quite as abnormal as his mind?"(Pg.xxvi,¶2,L12, LP.xxii)
3. Does this abnormal reaction to alcohol/drugs "explain many things for which I cannot otherwise account?" (Pg.xxvi,¶3,L25, LP.xxii)
4. a). Did, "Frothy emotional appeal seldom suffice" (from family, friends or legal warnings), to prevent my drinking?" b). Does the, "message which will interest me and hold my attention need to have depth and weight?" c). Because I need significant (Depth) and a solid reason, (Weight), to stay clean & sober? (Pg.xxviii,¶2, LP.xxiv)
5. a). Do I, "drink/use essentially because I like the effect produced by alcohol/drugs?" b). Is this sensation so elusive that… it is injurious?" c). Can I, "differentiate the true from the false?" d). Does a life of, (vomiting, OD’s, wrecking cars and arrests), "seem the only normal one?" (Pg.xxviii,¶4,LP.xxiv)
6. Does a drink/hit relieve me with "a sense of ease and comfort, which comes at once?" (Pg.xxix,Top¶,LP.xxv)
7. a). Have I ever cried, "I must stop, but I cannot?" b). Have I ever begged, "You must Help me!?" (Pg.xxix,¶2,L19, LP.xxv)
8. a). Do I believe, "something more than human power is needed to produce the essential psychic change?" b). Because I, "do not respond to the ordinary psychological approach" (Pg.xxix,¶3, LP.xxv)
9. a). Do I doubt, "that alcoholism/addiction is entirely a problem of mental control" b). Because I drank/used, to overcome a craving beyond my mental control" (Pg.xxix,¶4, & Pg.xxx, LP.xxv & xxvi)
10. Did I try, "various ways of drinking/using, (Wine or beer only) …changing brands or my environment" (No parties), (Pg.xxx,¶3,L14 LP.xxiv)
11. a). Will I accept , "I cannot start drinking without developing the phenomenon of craving" b). And believe, ’The only relief …is entire abstinence" (Pg.xxx-¶5, LP.xxvi)
12. Does my experience confirm, “that once I take any alcohol whatever into my system, something happens, both in the bodily and mental sense, which makes it virtually impossible for me to stop” (Pg.22,¶4,L28),
13. Am I “convinced ... that alcoholics of my type are in the grip of a progressive illness. Over any considerable period we get worse, never better.” (Pg,30,¶1)

The 1st drink/hit begs for another, then the 2nd cries for a 3rd, and the 3rd bargains for a 4th, the 4th demands a 5th, etc. My craving grows greater with every drink/dose that I take to maintain the effect, which feels like a ‘buzz’ or contented wellbeing.

Step 1a Physical Craving