Recovery article

Step 2 of AA: Coming to Believe — Finding Hope in Recovery

Step 2 doesn't require you to believe in God. It requires only that you believe something greater than your own willpower might be able to help. Here's how to work it.

Article summary

Step 2 doesn't require you to believe in God. It requires only that you believe something greater than your own willpower might be able to help. Here's how to work it.

Key topics include Step 2: "Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.", What "A Power Greater Than Ourselves" Actually Means, The Word "Sanity".

What this article covers

  • Step 2: "Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity."
  • What "A Power Greater Than Ourselves" Actually Means
  • The Word "Sanity"
  • Coming to Believe Is a Process

Frequently asked questions

What is Step 2 of Alcoholics Anonymous?

Step 2 of AA is: "Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity." It introduces hope into recovery by asking members to open themselves to the possibility that something beyond their own willpower can help them get better.

Do you have to believe in God to work Step 2?

No. Step 2 does not require belief in a traditional God. The AA program uses the phrase "God as we understood Him," placing the emphasis on your own understanding. People use the AA group, the universe, love, the recovery process itself, or science as their higher power.

What does "came to believe" mean in Step 2?

"Came to believe" describes a gradual process, not a sudden conversion. You do not need to have faith on day one — only an openness to the possibility that help exists. Most people find that belief grows naturally as they witness others recovering and as their own life improves.