I don’t know who wrote the following words of wisdom about stages of recovery. It’s been around as long as I can remember and this is just one version.
Stages of Recovery
Stage 1:
I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I am lost. I am helpless. It isn’t my fault. It takes forever to find a way out.Stage 2:
I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don’t see it. I fall in again. I can’t believe I am in this same place. But it isn’t my fault. It still takes a long time to get out.Stage 3:
I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is there. I fall in…it’s a habit…but my eyes are open. I know where I am. It is my fault. I get out immediately.Stage 4:
I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.Stage 5:
I walk down a different street.
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Hi Karyn,
Portia Nelson is the author of this poem. It’s commonly attributed to Cludia Black – author and speaker on children of alcoholics – because Claudia includes it in one of her books.
Thank you!