Can you comment...
12 Step Programs (AA, etc.)?

Q: Hi, Mike, Can you comment... 12 Step Programs (AA, OA, ACOA, GA etc. etc.) say step #1 is admitting "I am powerless..." yet other philosophies say "we are POWERFUL pieces of God..." I get confused sometimes... thanks for your time & thoughts. 

A: GREAT question!!!!!! I don't think anyone can argue with the success of AA, it has helped so many people, but it's program is a "program". So it's not "fair" to take one of the underpinnings of their work and look at it alone, like the powerless concept. It makes sense in the context of everything else their program offers, but alone it makes no sense. It shouldn't be taken out of context. 

On the other hand, I'm sure a new program could be invented for dealing with addictions that would affirm everyone's power, but to my knowledge it hasn't been created yet.