12 Steps in 12 Days: A Look at Step 2 of Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.)
General Service Conference approved literature lists Step 2 of the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous as follows:
“2. We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”
A Power Greater Than Ourselves:
Some non-religious members of Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) may have trouble with step 2 because of the requirement to believe in a higher power. However, Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) is adamant about helping anyone with the desire to stop drinking; regardless of religion or lack of religion.
Sanity:
The basic idea of insanity within Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) comes from the notion that people who abuse alcohol have lost control of their lives and the consequences that come with drinking. Insanity could also be seen as “repeating the same mistakes and expecting different results.”