Surrender, Vulnerability and Connection

By Steve K.

The experience of surrender is the gateway to recovery from addiction. At this moment we experience an acceptance that we lack control and that our life is unmanageable, to paraphrase the first Step of the AA 12-Step program. Our ego surrenders its will through the pain and suffering of addiction. Our denial is broken, and we experience a deep self-honesty and humility. We finally admit our human limitation and that we are in need help.

In this respect we are now authentic and willing to show our vulnerability to others – to reach out and to trust that we can be helped, that we can recover. These principles of acceptance, self-honesty, humility, willingness and faith are essential if we are to maintain and progress our recovery. In relation to 12-Step recovery they enable us to access and practice the rest of the program.

Through the authenticity that…