“Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”
Working Step 2: What It Means & How To Do It
Whereas Step 1 is about recognizing the scope of your substance abuse problem, Step 2 is the leap of faith that emphasizes that overcoming addiction is something you cannot do alone. It’s understanding that up until now, you have primarily been self-reliant in trying to overcome addiction and that now, you are ready to accept external help.
What does ‘a Power greater than ourselves’ mean?
While the mention of ‘Power’ traditionally refers to God – your interpretation does not have to (we’ll touch back on this later). It can be any person, place, thing, or even a feeling, that can serve as an unwavering source of motivation for you. These external motivators will help keep long-term goals in perspective during moments of weakness. Examples of non-religious “higher powers” can be an instrument you play, a family member that’s rooting for you, the desire to see the next season of a show you love, or simply your AA sponsor.
What does ‘Restore us to sanity’ mean?
This phrase is known for being somewhat off-putting to recovering addicts. At face value, it would seem that it is implying the reader is insane or crazy. Naturally, this could be a cause for taking offense. One of the core beliefs of addiction recovery is that you are more than your addiction and it’s odd that an organization dedicated to helping addicts would place such judgment on its participants.
Step Two is not meant to be a personal attack. Keep in mind that the 12 Steps for Recovery were written nearly a century ago. Many of the terms they use and their way of speaking does not seamlessly carry over to our modern-day language. As for actually carrying out Step 2, consider your actions related to addiction – there are probably a few things that could qualify as a bit insane.
You may have prioritized drinking over work, relationships, and even your own basic sustenance. You may have done things you never would have otherwise like rob a family member or lie to your spouse. Realizing that your alcohol habits led you to do and say things that are out of character.
Reading Is Believing…Right?
One aspect that can sometimes trip up even the most devoted of 12 Step participants is the use of the past tense “came to believe”. Whether these words are read aloud or in your mind, if it sounds like you’re being told that you’ve already done something, you might fail to reflect whether you’ve actually internalized the message being this step. To properly work step two requires reflection and a deep look inward for what truly motivates us – and sometimes, those things aren’t as noble as we would like to believe.
Is Alcoholics Anonymous Only For Christians?
A common challenge new Alcoholics Anonymous members face when participating in the 12 Steps programs is the heavy religious overtones. God, faith, prayer – these are all recurring topics mentioned throughout AA’s principles, foundations, and practices. What’s the connection between Alcoholics Anonymous and religion? It actually is due to the organization’s origins as a Christian group when it was founded almost a century ago in 1935.
For those who aren’t of the Christian faith – or any faith for that matter – the direct and indirect mentions of God can feel alienating. Fortunately, you don’t need to be religious to participate in AA or successfully complete the 12 Steps of Recovery. Working Step 2 can be done by anyone – no matter their religious affiliation (or lack thereof).
Find An Alcoholics Anonymous Group Near You
Nowadays, many AA groups have adopted a secular version of the 12 Steps program. The underlying messaging is the same, but the steps have simply been revised to omit any religious mentions. This can make it easier for non-religious members to relate and allows for a wider range of interpretations. Some groups take it a step further and have established themselves as an AA group for non-religious folks to serve as a safe space for agnostics and atheists.
It’s important to find a group where you feel comfortable – after all, you will have to share some of your lowest moments with these people. To make sure you find the AA group that’s right for you, visit our Alcoholics Anonymous meeting directory to find meetings near you.
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