Triple A - Your Recovery Roadside Assistant.

Awareness. Acceptance. Action.

Recovery is often described as a journey, but it’s not a straight path. It twists, turns, and sometimes loops back on itself. But no matter where you are on that road, progress always starts with three simple yet profound steps: Awareness, Acceptance, and Action. These are the Three A’s of Recovery, and they form the foundation for lasting change.

Awareness: Seeing the Truth

The first step in any transformation is awareness—seeing things as they truly are. Before recovery, many of us lived in denial. We told ourselves we didn’t have a problem, or if we did, it wasn’t that bad. We blamed circumstances, other people, or sheer bad luck.

But at some point, reality knocks hard enough that we’re forced to answer. Maybe it’s the health consequences catching up to us, the relationships strained to the breaking point, or the endless cycle of failed attempts at moderation. Whatever the trigger, we finally see it: this is a problem, and I cannot fix it on my own.

That’s awareness. It’s painful. It’s uncomfortable. But it’s the necessary first step toward change.

Acceptance: Surrendering to the Truth

If awareness is seeing the truth, acceptance is embracing it. This is where so many of us get stuck. We want to argue with reality. We want to negotiate, find loopholes, or convince ourselves we can regain control if we just try harder.

But recovery doesn’t come from willpower—it comes from surrender. Acceptance means acknowledging that our addiction has power over us and that we, on our own, are powerless against it. It’s admitting that no amount of effort, manipulation, or self-deception will make us "normal" around food, alcohol, drugs, or whatever our struggle may be.

This isn’t defeat. It’s actually the beginning of victory. Because once we stop fighting against reality, we can start working with it.

Action: Moving Toward Change

Awareness and acceptance are vital, but without action, they’re just words. This is where the real work begins.

Action in recovery means showing up. It means following a food plan, making outreach calls, being honest with a sponsor, attending meetings, practicing prayer and meditation, and working the steps. It means taking recovery one day at a time, even when we don’t feel like it.

Action doesn’t require perfection—only willingness. Some days, that willingness is strong, and we move forward with confidence. Other days, it’s a struggle just to take the smallest step. But as long as we keep moving, we stay in recovery.

The Path Forward

The Three A’s—Awareness, Acceptance, and Action—are not a one-time process. We cycle through them again and again. We become aware of a deeper truth about ourselves, accept it, and take action accordingly. Growth in recovery means continually refining this process.

For me, the challenge isn’t just knowing these principles; it’s living them. Some days, I see the problem clearly but resist accepting it. Other days, I accept it but hesitate to take action. But as my sponsor reminded me today, awareness alone puts me ahead of a lot of people. And awareness, when followed by acceptance and action, leads to real change.

So, where am I today? Somewhere in that cycle. But I’m here. I’m aware. I’m working toward acceptance. And I’m committed to action.

That’s recovery. One step at a time.

Thanks for stopping by Surrender & Scribbles.

DeeBo