Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Finding Hope and Trust
Step Two introduces the idea of hope. After the honest admission of powerlessness in Step One, this step invites us to believe that change is possible and that we are not alone. It speaks to the need for a guiding force—something
greater than ourselves—to help us heal and restore balance to our lives.
Sanity, in the context of Step Two, means freedom from the destructive behaviours, thoughts, and patterns that addiction creates. Addiction thrives on isolation and chaos, distorting our sense of self-worth and reality. By opening our minds to the idea that a Power greater than ourselves can help, we take the first steps toward regaining clarity and stability.
For some, this Power might be a traditional understanding of God. For others, it could be the collective strength of the group, the laws of nature, or simply the idea of love and kindness. This step does not demand that we adopt a specific belief system. Instead, it invites us to consider the possibility that help is available if we’re willing to seek it.
Many of us arrive at Step Two feeling sceptical or doubtful. Perhaps we’ve experienced rejection or judgment from religious institutions or struggled to reconcile spiritual concepts with our personal identities. For GBTQ+ individuals, these wounds can run deep. Step Two encourages us to redefine spirituality on our own terms. It’s not about conforming to a doctrine but about discovering a sense of connection and purpose that feels authentic to us.
This step also challenges the idea that we must solve our problems alone. Admitting we need help is not a sign of weakness but an act of courage. It allows us to move beyond the isolation of addiction and to begin trusting in a process of recovery that is bigger than any one individual.
Questions for reflection in Step Two include:
- What does “sanity” mean to you, and how has addiction taken it from you?
- What are your current beliefs about a Power greater than yourself?
- What would it mean to you to trust in a process of recovery?
Through Step Two, we begin to replace despair with hope, scepticism with curiosity, and isolation with connection.