From Powerless to Empowered: Rethinking Recovery Narratives

If you’ve ever dipped your toe into the world of mutual-aid support for addiction of any kind, you’ve probably heard this phrase:

“We admitted we were powerless…”
— Step 1, Alcoholics Anonymous

It’s one of the first things many of us encounter in recovery. And while it has helped countless people begin their healing, I’ve always had a complicated relationship with the word powerless.

Yes, I understand its intention. It’s meant to acknowledge the seriousness of addiction — that we can’t simply will ourselves into recovery, and that trying to go it alone often leads us deeper into harm. It’s a call to humility and a nudge toward accepting help. In that way, it serves a vital purpose.

But for many of us — especially those who come into recovery with a history of trauma, abuse, cultural oppression, or systemic injustice — that word can feel heavy, disempowering, and even triggering. Personally, when I reached out for help, I didn’t need to be told I was powerless. I already felt broken, small, and overwhelmed. What I needed to hear was:

You have the power. With the right support, you can change your life.

Let’s Translate Step 1

The truth is, Step 1 doesn't mean you're a weak, helpless person. It means you’re acknowledging a serious health condition that requires more than just grit and self-reliance to manage. You’re recognizing that willpower alone isn’t enough, that healing takes connection, guidance, and community. But the word “powerless” doesn’t exactly scream hope, does it?

The 12 Steps, though very meaningful, were written in the 1930s. And let’s be real, some of the language needs a modern update. If you're someone who recoils at the idea of powerlessness or struggles with the “God” language, you’re not alone. These can be real, valid barriers to participation in 12-step models for many people.

Empowered Recovery: A New Narrative

Recovery should never be about shaming or disempowering people. It’s about:

✔️ Helping people reclaim agency in their lives
✔️ Offering multiple pathways to healing
✔️ Honoring lived experience and personal strengths
✔️ Validating the courage it takes to seek help
✔️ Supporting people in building lives they don’t want to escape from

I believe in empowered recovery: the idea that while we might not be able to heal alone, we are the only ones who can do the work. The power to recover lives within us. We may need support, tools, structure, or medication. We may need therapy, spirituality, or peer connection. But we have to make the decision. We take the first steps. We stay committed. That’s power.

What Other Health Conditions Teach Us About Power and Support

When someone is diagnosed with diabetes, cancer, or heart disease, they're not expected to stand up and say, “I am powerless over my condition.” They're encouraged to seek medical treatment, support, and make lifestyle changes . Not because they lack strength, but because healing is complex and requires a team effort.

This stark contrast highlights how stigmatized addiction and mental health still are. Substance use disorder is a medical condition. Like any chronic illness, it affects the brain, the body, and behavior . It requires ongoing, multifaceted care. But the idea of having to “admit powerlessness” in order to receive that care is unique to addiction treatment, and it can feel dehumanizing or even re-traumatizing, especially for those with histories of abuse, marginalization, or loss of control.

What if instead of asking people to surrender their power, we reminded them they still have it, and that asking for help is a powerful act in itself?

You Don’t Have to Choose Just One Path

Another outdated idea? That there’s only one way to recover. Thankfully, today’s recovery landscape is wide and diverse. You can find support in:

✔️ 12-step fellowships
✔️ Harm reduction programs
✔️ SMART Recovery or Refuge Recovery
✔️ Therapy and medication
✔️ Peer support and coaching
✔️ Creative expression, movement, spirituality, nature, and more

There is no wrong way to recover. The right path is the one that works for you. And if you're like me, you might find value in many of these approaches over time.

The Bottom Line

The concept of powerlessness may still resonate for some, and that’s okay. But it’s also okay if it doesn’t. Recovery doesn’t require you to feel weak. It doesn’t require blind submission. What it requires is honesty, willingness, and support.

So if the old narratives don’t fit, let’s rewrite them. Let’s center strength, resilience, and choice. Because we’re not powerless, we’re powerful. Especially when we walk this path together.