Menu
Read the latest and greatest from our team
of incredible specialists.
“We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.” –The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, Step 2
When Alcoholics Anonymous was founded in 1935, few Westerners had seriously considered any concept of “God” besides the traditional Judeo-Christian version: a single masculine supreme deity, in ultimate control of the universe, stringently moral yet generous and caring. Large numbers of people still believe in a God who fits that description, but societal changes and an increasingly intercultural world have created many other popular images: the God who makes much broader allowances for beliefs and lifestyles than our ancestors would have considered, the God with limited powers who learns as he goes, the feminine or asexual God, the pantheistic God of which everything in existence is a literal part. And, of course, the God who exists only as a personification of human desire to create ethical systems and explain life’s mysteries.
It’s not the purpose of this post to explore any of the above ideas in detail, nor to advocate any specific belief system. Rather, we’ll talk about aspects of the “Higher Power” concept that should be understood by anyone seeking encouragement and support in addiction recovery.
However else you conceive of “God,” to be of help in your sobriety journey a Higher Power must be benevolent, have some personal concern for you, be able to affect you and your world, and expect some responsibility on your part.
Many dedicated theists talk about “the God I don’t believe in” in the sense of a theoretical image of God that doesn’t stand up to scrutiny. There are some popular “God” images everyone is better off not believing in:
All these God-views are toxic because they all imply that the Higher Power doesn’t really sympathize with us, and the best we can hope for is to achieve approval or success by our own efforts. That’s the same attitude that, when directed toward our fellow humans, first drives many people to addiction and then keeps them in denial. Nobody can cope with life’s strains and stresses in isolation.
If you don’t already know what “Higher Power” means to you personally, discussing the concept with others (especially others who already have everyday relationships with a Higher Power) will open up new insights. Even if your sobriety support group isn’t strictly faith-based, it’s a good place to bring up the subject. Or visit a few religious congregations and see what clicks. If you formerly belonged to a religious congregation yourself, and left for whatever reason, consider giving it another chance.
If you’re already secure in your own beliefs regarding a Higher Power, get active in a faith-based congregation (including small-group fellowship or other opportunities for personal interaction) and attend regularly. The Biblical verse Hebrews 10:25 has the right idea: “Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but [let us] encourage one another” (New Living Translation). A direct relationship with God is wonderful, but everybody needs ongoing support from people “with skin on.”
To effectively live a sober daily life with the help of the “Power greater than ourselves that restores us to sanity”:
Whether you’re researching for yourself or a loved one, Beach House can help. We understand that this is a serious time in your life and that the treatment center you choose matters. We want you to feel comfortable and empowered to make the right decision for yourself, a friend, or a family member. This is why a counselor is waiting and available to answer your questions and help put your mind at ease regarding the next steps. Many of the staff at Beach House have walked in your shoes. If you feel you’re ready or want more information about how to help a loved one, we can help today. You can also learn why we are voted the #1 rehab for addiction treatment in Florida.
