The Power of Powerlessness: Scott S. on Letting Go

God didn’t wake up this morning and think He was me… so maybe I don’t need to wake up thinking I’m God. Scott S. has been sober since April 16, 2012, but his journey to recovery was anything but straightforward. Growing up with low self-esteem, ADHD, and a household where drinking felt normal, Scott learned early that alcohol gave him something he didn’t have on his own. By his teens, blackouts and excess were already part of the picture, and as adulthood unfolded, pills, vodka, broken relationships, and a familiar pattern of self-destruction followed. After returning to Knoxville, Tennessee, Scott’s drinking escalated until coworkers stepped in and encouraged him to seek help. Early sobriety found him spending long days at the Park 40 Clubhouse, learning how to live without alcohol and wrestle with the hardest part of recovery for him, fitting in without drinking. What finally stuck was a simple but profound truth: he wasn’t in charge. Letting go, letting God, and embracing the power of powerlessness reshaped his life. In sobriety, Scott became a father again, remarried, rediscovered creativity through designing and fixing things, and learned that service doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it looks like holding a door, returning a cart, or showing up for someone else. This episode is an honest conversation about control, humility, slowing down, and finding meaning beyond the chaos. 🌟 For daily encouragement, visit Daily Ponderables — your source for inspiration 365 days a year. The Cup of Joe Show explores the journey of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction—one story, one conversation, and one step at a time. New Episode Every Thursday at Noon.