I was leading a group a few months ago; we were discussing Step 1. In order to get everyone involved in our discussion I challenged the group members to take the word powerless and create a phrase that might describe what powerless means using the letters of the word powerless to form an acronym. There were several good acronyms produced that day but one stuck out and really caught my attention. So, I thought I would share it with you,
Think about that. Powerless involves being overwhelmed with problems—some of my doing and some others. A life that is powerless is a life that is out of control—overwhelmed.
Problems overwhelm us when "evil ruins lives." I don't know about you but I have seen too many lives destroyed by addiction. I know it is an evil that definitely ruins lives. The evil of addiction ruins the life of the person who is addicted and also those around that person.
The last three words really got me; "Even someone special." The evil of addiction doesn't care how special someone is, if given the chance addiction will ruin the lives of all around. I like to say that addiction is an equal opportunity destroyer. Addiction doesn't care who you are it will destroy everything you love if it can.
One of the special lives ruined by addiction is the person who is addicted. Sometimes we get so focused on what a person has done in their addiction and who they hurt that we forget they are someone special who is damaged by their addiction. In many ways they are victims of addiction. I am not trying to say they should not take responsibility for the bad things they have done. On the contrary, I believe accountability and responsibility are two pillars of being healthy in recovery. But, I think we forget about the special person who became the person addicted to drugs and alcohol.
So, there you have it. I thought it turned out to be a simple acronym with a powerful message about addiction.
"Problems overwhelm when evil ruins lives even someone special."
Blessings
Tim
