Step Two
We found that as soon as we were able to lay aside prejudice and
express even a willingness to believe in a Power greater than
ourselves, we commenced to get results, even though it was
impossible for any of us to fully define or comprehend that Power,
which is God. (Alcoholics Anonymous, 46)
As soon as a man can say that he does believe, or is willing to
believe, we emphatically assure him that he is on his way. It has
been repeatedly proven among us that upon this simple cornerstone
a wonderfully effective Spiritual structure can be built. (Alcoholics
Anonymous, 47)
1. Are you willing to believe, even a little?
2. Are you willing to believe that a Higher Power is working in the
rooms of recovery?
3. Do you believe that recovery is real and that lives do change
for the better?
Write your own Second Step Prayer. Here's an example:
God, I am lost and confused about everything, especially You. I am
absolutely insane when I run the show. Help me to believe in a
Step Two
Power that is greater than me- a Power I can be honest with, love
and trust.
Step Two
Exercise 2 - Restored to Sanity
To be restored to sanity implies that we have been insane.
1. Did your Step One reveal to you that you have been insane?
2. To be restored means to be repaired or fixed. That means that
we admit our brokenness! Did your Step One work prove to you
that you are broken?
3. Step Two states that a Power greater than us could restore us
to sanity. Why does it say could instead of would?
In Step Two in Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, page 33, it
states:
Some will be willing to term themselves "problem drinkers," but
cannot endure the suggestion that they are in fact mentally ill...
"Sanity" is defined as "soundness of mind." Yet no alcoholic, soberly
analysing his
destructive behaviour . ... can claim "soundness of mind" for
himself.
Step Two
4. Can you claim "soundness of mind?”
5. List a few examples of the most insane things you've done in
the past.
Now review your list and see if the most insane thing you've done is
on it. The most insane thing many of us have ever done is to pick up
another drink or drug from a sober state of mind. Now that's insane
Let's look at insanity in your life today, not the old insanity of using.
6. Are you experiencing insanity in sobriety? If so, write a few
examples.
Step Two
7. Is your insanity coming out sideways (gambling, sex, eating,
anger, self-pity, shopping, pornography, etc.)?
8. In what areas of your life do you need sanity now?
Lack of power, that is our dilemma. It we have no power for
ourselves, we surely have no power over others.
9. Does trying to control things make you insane? If so, give an
example.
10. Did you choose drugs and/or alcohol over your family?
Step Two
11. Did you choose alcohol and/or drugs over your health?
12. Did you choose drugs and/or alcohol over jobs, friends,
schooling, self-care?
13. If you answered yes to any of these questions, do you think
that is insane?
Exercise 3 - The God of Our Own Experience
It was clear that we needed a Higher Power because life was not
working. Each of us can have our own beliefs or non-beliefs.
Step Two
Everyone who enters our sacred rooms deserves a chance to form
his or her own conception of a Higher Power!
As Ebby said to Bill, "Why don't you choose your own conception of
God?" (Alcoholics Anonymous, 12)
Your Higher Power can be whatever you choose it to be. Some
people write a description of a best friend and then use that as their
Higher Power.
1. What is your conception of God now?
2. What are your personal beliefs about your Higher Power?
3. Wherever and however, you find God is right for you. But
wherever it is that you find God, you should mark that place
and go sit there again. Cocaine Anonymous can be that place
for you.
Step Two
4. Where and how have you found a Higher Power?
5. Many people never stop to think what a Higher Power or God
means to them. What does God or Higher Power mean to you?
6. Do you now believe, or are you willing to believe that your
Higher Power can take you from where you are today where
your desires, dreams and heart hope to be?
The Step Two proposition: "God either is, or He isn't. What was our
choice to be?" (Alcoholics Anonymous, 53) what does this
statement mean to you personally, in light of your own experience?
7. What is your choice?
Step Two
Exercise 4: Step Two Action Questions
Hope is a principle behind Step Two.
1. Do you feel hope today?
2. What evidence do you have that a Higher Power is working in
your life?
3. Is it difficult for you to really trust in your Higher Power?
4. Have you ever felt that God/Higher Power was trying to tell you
something?
Step Two
5. How do you learn to trust God?
6. Is it important that your God, or Higher Power, be loving?
7. Do you have any doubts about your Higher Power?
8. How well do you do on your own power?
Step Two
9. Are you being gentle with yourself about your progress thus far
in recovery?
10. What is your understanding of Step Two?
11. Do you have any prejudices or old ideas that are blocking
you from more fully coming to believe?
12. What people most influenced your idea or concept of a
Higher Power or God?
Step Two
13. What did you learn about God or a Higher Power from your
family?
14. Do you have a false image of a god imposed on you as a
child or imposed by your own broken thinking?
15. Do you have a policeman god, a foxhole god, a Santa Claus
god, or a punishing god? Do you have no god, or doyou have a
God of your own misunderstanding?
Step Two
16. Was God used as a threat? For example, that if you don't
stop doing something, or if you do something "bad"
(masturbating, for example), you will be punished?
17. Do you feel you are being restored to sanity?
18. Where are you making the same mistakes over and over?
19. Are you afraid to come to believe?
Step Two
20. When you first saw the word God in the Twelve Steps, did
you think, "I'm in trouble"
21. What does coming to believe mean to you?
22. Do you have reservations? If so, re-read your Step One work
and see how well things have been going doing it your way.
Step Two