“Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.” (Page 59, Big Book)
This could mean a power greater than each individual, or a
power greater than the category ‘ourselves’.
On the latter reading, the group or even AA as a whole
cannot be the Higher Power.
I used both the group and AA as a whole as a stepping stone,
but it was not long before it became apparent that the group or the fellowship
could not remove my character defects or provide me with the direction and
strength I needed.
I turned my will and life over to the fellowship but that
did not stop me from drinking again.
I turned my will and life over to God, and that did stop me.