AA Steps 1-3: A Breakdown for Beginners

If you're working hard to keep everything together on the outside but struggling silently with alcohol or drug use, you're not alone. You might be showing up for work, meeting deadlines and handling responsibilities. Inside, though, things feel overwhelming. The first three steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) offer a compassionate, practical path forward.

AA Step 1: Admitting Powerlessness

Step 1 says: "We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable."

This step is about honesty. Not dramatic confessions, but just a quiet, clear look at what's really going on. As a starting point, ask yourself: 

• Have you told yourself you'd stop after one drink and didn't?
• Do you hide your use from people around you?
• Are you constantly anxious about being found out?

If you're answering yes to any of these questions, Step 1 is your invitation to stop pretending that everything is OK and start healing.

AA Step 2: Finding Hope in Something Greater

Step 2 says: "Came to believe that a Higher Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity."

The 12 Steps mention a "Higher Power," but that doesn't mean you have to follow a specific religion or belief system. You can interpret that "Higher Power" in whatever way feels personal and meaningful to you. The purpose of this step is to realize that you don't have to do this alone. If you don't have a religious belief system, your community could be sourced from a support group, a therapist, the AA community or even nature.  

If you've been trying to manage everything solo, use Step 2 to start believing that help is out that, that you deserve and that it works.  

AA Step 3: Letting Go of Control

Step 3 says: "Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him."

This step isn't about blind faith but rather trust. It's about a willingness to stop white knuckling your way through life to truly begin living. It's time to stop steering this ship alone and start creating real change with something steadier and more reliable—one change, one decision, one conversation and one day at a time. 

Help Is Available at Hazelden Betty Ford

At Hazelden Betty Ford, we understand how hard it is to ask for help. Starting your recovery journey can feel lonely and as though nobody would understand what you're going through. Our compassionate, expert treatment professionals understand and are here for you. 

Whether you're just beginning to question your relationship with drugs or alcohol or you're ready to start making changes, our virtual, inpatient and outpatient programs are here to offer the support that fits your life.