AA Step 3: Turn Your Will & Life to The Care of Your Higher Power

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a free, meeting-based fellowship where people who want to stop drinking can support each other.¹ A 2020 Cochrane review found that AA and Twelve-Step Facilitation (TSF) programs can lead to higher rates of abstinence compared to some other treatments.² Through the 12 Steps, members work toward sobriety by acknowledging that alcohol has become unmanageable and, for many, building spiritual growth.³

This page dives into Step 3 of AA, which focuses on surrender and letting go of the ego. You'll learn what this step means, why it matters, and how it can support your recovery.

What Is Step 3 of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)?

Step 3 of Alcoholics Anonymous states, “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood him.” This Step encourages you to make a conscious decision to put your life in the care of a higher power, letting go of the need to control everything.³

Unlike Step 1, where you admit that you're powerless over alcohol, Step 3 asks you to take action by handing that control over to a force you believe is greater than yourself, whether that's God, the universe, nature, or even the strength of your AA group.³

As you practice this kind of surrender, you may find it easier to let go of self-will. For many people, self-will has gotten in the way of recovery. Building faith and trust in your higher power can also support emotional openness, which may help you move away from ego and toward guidance and support.

What Is the Purpose of Step 3 of AA?

Step 3 can help you shift your mindset and your approach to recovery. A main goal of this Step is accepting that you may need support beyond yourself to recover from alcohol misuse or alcohol addiction, clinically referred to as alcohol use disorder (AUD). That support can come from other people and a higher power. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) describes these ideas as common themes in 12-Step recovery.⁴

As you practice acceptance and trust in your higher power, you may have more chances to build traits like courage and humility. Understanding Step 3 and practicing it can also help you get ready for the Steps that follow.

How to Complete Step 3 of AA

Understanding Step 3 is often easier than practicing it. Step 3 centers on accepting that recovery from alcohol addiction often involves support beyond yourself.³ How you work this Step can look different from person to person, and you have options.

Some ways you can work Step 3 include the following:

Maintain an Open Mind

Accepting that staying sober on your own may feel hard. As you work Step 3, keeping an open mind can help you take in guidance from your higher power and from people in your AA community.

Identify What You Can and Can’t Control

Identifying what you can control and what you cannot control can free up emotional energy. When you release what you can't control, you can refocus on what you can control. That may support your growth and help you keep moving forward.

Work With Your Sponsor

By this point, you may have a sponsor who helps you navigate the 12 Steps. AA explains that sponsors share their experience, hope, and strength to support other members as they work the program.⁵ Your sponsor can offer encouragement and listen as you talk through your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.⁵

It can help to create a Step 3 plan that feels doable for you. What works for someone else may not fit your needs, and that's OK. These and other strategies can help you prepare for what's next.

How Step 3 of AA Fits Into Your Recovery Journey

Step 3 can feel like a big moment in your recovery. Letting go of the belief that you can manage alcohol addiction on your own may feel challenging. Inviting support from others, including a higher power, can also take time. Step 3 works with the other Steps to support ongoing recovery.

Starting at Step 3 and expecting to feel ready to hand over control right away may feel tough if you're living with alcohol addiction. After you complete Steps 1 and 2, working Step 3 can feel more attainable:

• Step 1 serves as a starting point for all members. It asks you to admit that you are powerless over alcohol and that your life has become unmanageable.³ Coming to terms with that can help you move into Step 2.
• Step 2 asks you to believe that a power greater than yourself can help restore you to sanity.³ During this step, you can get more comfortable with the idea of a higher power.
• Step 3 builds on Steps 1 and 2. It supports your commitment to place your will and your life in the care of the higher power you choose, as an act of surrender.³

Many people find Step 4 challenging. The foundation you build in the first three Steps can guide you as you begin Step 4, where you make a "fearless and moral inventory" of yourself.³ People often do this through exercises that support self-examination and reflection on traits that may have harmed their life and relationships.³

How to Find a 12-Step AA Program

Many people first learn about AA while they're in an inpatient rehab program, or another form of care, such as an intensive outpatient program. Treatment centers may offer 12-Step meetings or share information about local meetings. If you're leaving a rehab program, or if you're looking for meetings on your own, you have options:

• Visit the AA website. You can use the official AA website to search for in-person meetings near you, as well as virtual meetings.
• Download the app. The Meeting Guide App helps people find AA meetings and view details like times, types, and frequency.
• Contact a treatment center near you. AA is anonymous, so asking people directly about meetings may feel uncomfortable. A local treatment center may be able to share general information and point you to the right resources.

AA welcomes anyone who wants to stop drinking. AA offers meetings in many countries, and AA reports it has a presence in 180 countries.⁶

Start Your Recovery Journey

If you're ready to stop carrying it all on your own, support is within reach. Whether you're seeking help for yourself or a loved one, you can explore top medical detox centers, inpatient addiction treatment facilities, aftercare options, and more to start on the path to recovery.

Search for rehab by insurance, location, and preferences—completely free—and find a program that meets you where you are. A new way forward can start today.