Old NA Sponsor/Sponsee Worksheets - Step 2

Step 2: "We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity."

The insanity referred to in this step is not the insanity of using drugs. We were restored to the sanity of not using by surrendering in Step 1. We now find ourselves clean, with our lives in disorder and still unmanageable in many areas. Much of that un-manageability comes from doing the same things we used to do and expect different results each time. Of course, the results of our choices and actions are always the same, un-manageability and insanity in our lives. What is there to do? Either go on the best we can or begin to change our actions and choices, with the awareness of the results of our second step as our guide through recovery.


At this point we begin to ask: What is the power greater than ourselves? In this step we explore what exactly that power is by talking to our sponsors, listening to more experienced share on their journey with this step. Others examine the origins of their faith and reflect on their beliefs today. This exploration begins to lead to a new understanding of a personal higher power might be.

However, this step reminds us of the importance that this power should be greater than ourselves...one that can help us handle any situation we encounter in our lives. At first we look around the rooms of NA and learn that for some experienced members that power was initially the NA program or their homegroup, for others it was their sponsor. During this process We are reminded that when we were using that power was our addiction, the physical pain of our withdrawal, and authorities in prisons or the legal system. Reflecting on our past makes us aware of the insanity of many of the situations we found ourselves in when we acted from fear, a defect or negative will.

Now lets begin exploring our understanding of the Second Step by looking at some of the ways we can apply the Second Step into our lives.

1.  The first way we applied this step when we came into the program was that NA became a power greater than ourselves.This power helps us get through early problems without using and teaches us different ways of doing things.

2.  Something someone may share with us can become a power greater than ourselves, if it makes us aware of something we are doing in the wrong way so we can then change it.

3.  Pain many times becomes a power greater than ourselves. Sometimes it is the only thing that will make us do something in a different way to get sane results.

4.  A sponsor or some other recovering addict can become a power greater than ourselves, by making us aware of the way we are doing things.

You can now see that a power greater than ourselves can change from situation to situation. The important thing is to be aware of how to apply the principles of open-mindedness and faith in your life. These spiritual principles by themselves can become a power greater than ourselves in our lives.

The following questions are to help you with your exploration and understanding of this step. Please write the answers on a separate sheet of paper and return both to your sponsor before your discussion.

• What is your definition of  "a power greater than ourselves"?
• List 3 powers greater than yourself in your active using.
• List 3 powers greater than yourself in your recovery.
• What are 3 characteristics that your higher power should have?
• What are 3 characteristics that your higher power should NOT have??
• Write out how you were insane when using.
• Write out the ways in which insanity continues to show up in your recovery.
• In the dictionary, look up and write out the definition of "restore"
• Are there examples in your life of being changed from hopeless to hopefull, from overwhelming negativity to positivity or filled with hope or faith in something?
• Give examples of how open-mindednes have helped you in your various beliefs about recovery."
• In the dictionary, look up and write out the definition of "sanity."
• What are some of the benefits of believing "in a power greater than yourself?"
• Name 10 positive things that have happened to you in your life. Can you find if there were coincidences or forces at play that helped you in those situations. Do you think there was a greater power than you at play? If so, how.
• What are some powers greater than yourself?
• Are there forces or a power in your life right now?  
• Is that force or power negative or positive?  
• How and when does that power begin to show up in your life? 
• How do you relate to that power or force once it shows up? 
• How can I apply the spiritual principles of open-mindedness and faith in my life?
• Now that you have reflected and written on these questions, what does this step mean to you?

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Please share below any part of your process of "coming to", your awareness of or your awakening to the spirit or power that exists in your life today. Thank you!