Step 1 Worksheet with Questions

Understanding Step 1

The concept behind the 1st step is significant, as addiction can lead to a tendency to hide problems from ourselves and others, pretending that we have control over our actions, while blaming others for the harm we cause. This denialAddicts can spend years showing clear symptoms of out of control behavior without admitting the severity of the problem to themselves or others. It often takes an external shock such as losing a job, imprisonment, or public humiliation to break the hold of denial. More can eventually lead to losing everything we hold dear in life, including relationships, careers, and even our sense of self. The problem lies in the idea that we are taught to always remain in control, even when it is at the cost of winning.

Acknowledging that we are powerless over our addiction may seem like defeat, but it is only a partial admission of defeat. We are recognizing that our attempts to control our addiction have failed and that we need to find a new path of recoveryThe process by which addicts attempt to break the hold a certain substance or behavior has on their lives. This can refer to participation in a wide variety of methods. What they all have in common, is a sense that life is improving and the addict is regaining control. More, which will help us regain control. The process of recovery is a productive one, even though it may initially be painful, as we are letting go of old habits and building new, healthy ones.

To let go, we must first admit the depth of our addiction and our inability to control it. This requires us to face our shortcomings and to be honest about the damage that our addiction has caused in our lives. With the support of others who understand our struggles, we can begin the process of rebuilding our lives and overcoming addiction.

How to Work Step 1

To acknowledge that you have lost control of your addiction, one effective method is to attend a meeting and openly discuss your struggles. Admit to the group how your attempts to control your addiction have failed and the damage it has caused to your life and loved ones.

When you are ready to seriously work on the 12 stepsThe term “12 steps” refers to the core principles of the approach to addiction exemplified by Alcoholics Anonymous and other similar groups. The 12 steps are a set of guidelines designed to help individuals overcome addiction and rebuild their lives. They were created by the founders of Alcoholics A… More, find a reliable sponsorAn individual in a 12-step program requires a sponsor to help them work the steps and hold them accountable for their recovery. The sponsor should be readily available when help is needed. A member with a sponsor is considered to be the sponsee. More who can help guide you through the process. Your sponsor can assist you in two crucial ways: they will be there for you when you feel like you may relapseRelapse in the context of 12-step programs refers to the act of reverting to harmful behaviors associated with addiction after a period of recovery. This return to substance use or compulsive behavior disrupts the recovery process and often leads to a resurgence of destructive patterns that the indi… More, and they can help you compile a list of the worst behaviors and outcomes associated with your addiction.

Honesty is the guiding principle when working on the first step, and it is important to share all details with your sponsor and group, no matter how shameful you may think they are. Don’t be afraid to tell your sponsor and group if you are struggling to maintain your recovery or if you have relapsed. As long as you are honest and willing to accept help, you can overcome any obstacle.

Questions for Working Step 1 Of The Program

Step 1 Worksheet Questions

Step one is built around the realization that our addiction has defeated us. That our attempts to function have failed and that addiction is the cause of this outcome. Therefore, our questions at this stage will focus on how we were defeated, by what our lives look like as a result. These questions will seem dour, and they are. But keep in mind that we are not surveying the wreckage in our lives to feel self-pity. We are preparing to rebuild.

Step 1 Questions

1. How did you first become aware of your addiction, and what initially drew you to it?
2. How do you feel when you refrain from engaging in addictive behaviors for a period?
3. What specific behaviors does your addiction consist of, which ones do you engage in the most, and why?
4. In what ways has your addiction damaged your most important personal relationships, and how did it do so?
5. Does your addiction make you feel isolated from other people, either internally or externally, and have others noticed this as well?
6. What emotions or feelings typically triggerInternal and external cues which when encountered increase the cravings of an addict for the substance or behavior on which they are dependent. This can include a certain smell, place, or person the addict associates with trauma or use. More your engagement in addictive behaviors, and do you use them to mask other issues or problems? How does your behavior impact these feelings?
7. What is the most significant negative outcome of your addiction, and how has it affected your life?
8. How has your addiction impacted your finances, and how have you justified or hidden your spending from others?
9. In what ways have you tried to conceal your addictive behavior from other people, and has it been successful?
10. Have you experienced any physical or mental health issues because of your addiction, and how have you coped with them?
11. Have you ever done something that you did not want to do, but engaged in it anyway because of your addiction? How did this make you feel?
12. Have you ever put yourself in danger because of your addiction, and if so, how did you handle the situation? Did you learn from the experience or repeat it?
13. What is the most embarrassing or humiliating situation that has occurred in your life as a result of your addiction?
14. Have you ever manipulated or exploited other people to fulfill your addiction, and how did you rationalize it to yourself?
15. During what period of your life did you feel the least in control, and was your addiction a contributing factor? How did this experience affect you?
16. How much time have you devoted to your addiction during the worst and most typical periods of your addiction, and how has this affected other areas of your life?
17. Have you ever betrayed someone else due to your addiction, and how did you justify it to yourself?
18. How has your addiction impacted your career, and what measures have you taken to conceal your behavior at work? Have these measures been effective?
19. When did you first realize that you were an addictAn individual with an unhealthy dependence on a substance or behavior. An individual remains an addict even years into recovery and must therefore remain active in recovery. Read more about drug & alcohol addiction & withdrawal at Withdrawal Info. More, and did you feel that your life was unmanageable at that time? In what ways?

How step 1 helps us recover

Answering these questions will allow us to take stock of how our lives have become unmanageable and the damage we have done to ourselves and others. It shows how previous efforts to manage our addiction have failed. Admitting this failure allows us to prepare for a better path.

Read more about step 1 & admitting powerlessness.