My name is Cathy and I am an addict.
WHO IS AN ADDICT?
Most of us do not have to think twice about this question. WE KNOW! Our
whole life and thinking was centered in drugs in one form or another, the
getting and using and finding ways and means to get more. We lived to use and
used to live. Very simply, an addict is a man or woman whose life is controlled
by drugs. We are people in the grip of a continuing and progressive illness
whose ends are always the same: jails, institutions and death.
WHAT IS THE NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS PROGRAM?
N.A. is a non-profit Fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs
had become a major problem. We are recovering addicts who meet regularly
to help each other stay clean. This is a program of complete abstinence from
all drugs. There is only ONE requirement for membership, the desire to stop
using. We suggest that you keep an open mind and give yourself a break. Our
program is a set of principles written so simply that we can follow them in our
daily lives. The most important thing about them is that THEY WORK.
There are no strings attached to N.A. We are not affiliated with any other
organizations, we have no initiation fees or dues, no pledges to sign, no
promises to make to anyone. We are not connected with any Political, religious
or law enforcement groups, and are under no surveillance at any time. Anyone
may join us, regardless of age, race, sexual identity, creed, religion or lack of
religion.
We are not interested in what or how much you used or who your
connections were, what you have done in the past, how much or how little you
have, but only in what you want to do about your problem and how we can help.
The newcomer is the most important person at any meeting, because we can
only keep what we have by giving it away. We have learned from our group
experience that those who keep coming to our meetings regularly stay clean.
Full Version: Let's Get Started
WHY ARE WE HERE?
Before coming to the Fellowship of N.A., we could not manage our own lives.
We could not live and enjoy life as other people do. We had to have something
different and we thought we had found it in drugs. We placed their use ahead
of the welfare of our families, our wives, husbands, and our children. We had
to have drugs at all costs. We did many people great harm, but most of all we
harmed ourselves. Through our inability to accept personal responsibilities we
were actually creating our own problem. We seemed to be incapable of facing
life on its own terms.
Most of us realized that in our addiction we were slowly committing suicide,
but addiction is such a cunning enemy of life that we had lost the power to do
anything about it. Most of us ended up in jail, or sought help through
medicine, religion and psychiatry. None of these methods was sufficient for
us. Our disease always resurfaced or continued to progress until in
desperation, we sought help from each other in Narcotics Anonymous.
After coming to N.A. we realized we were sick people. We suffered from a
disease from which there is no known cure. It can, however, be arrested at
some point, and recovery is then possible.
Before coming to the Fellowship of N.A., we could not manage our own lives.
We could not live and enjoy life as other people do. We had to have something
different and we thought we had found it in drugs. We placed their use ahead
of the welfare of our families, our wives, husbands, and our children. We had
to have drugs at all costs. We did many people great harm, but most of all we
harmed ourselves. Through our inability to accept personal responsibilities we
were actually creating our own problem. We seemed to be incapable of facing
life on its own terms.
Most of us realized that in our addiction we were slowly committing suicide,
but addiction is such a cunning enemy of life that we had lost the power to do
anything about it. Most of us ended up in jail, or sought help through
medicine, religion and psychiatry. None of these methods was sufficient for
us. Our disease always resurfaced or continued to progress until in
desperation, we sought help from each other in Narcotics Anonymous.
After coming to N.A. we realized we were sick people. We suffered from a
disease from which there is no known cure. It can, however, be arrested at
some point, and recovery is then possible.
HOW IT WORKS
If you want what we have to offer, and are willing to make the effort to get
it, then you are ready to take certain steps. These are the principles that
made our recovery possible.
1. We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction, that our lives
had become unmanageable.
2. We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us
to sanity.
3. We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God
as we understood Her.
4. We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact
nature of our wrongs.
6. We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of
character.
7. We humbly asked Her to remove our shortcomings.
8. We made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make
amends to them all.
9. We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when
to do so would injure them or others.
10. We continued to take personal inventory, and when we were wrong
promptly admitted it.
11. We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious
contact with God as we understood Her, praying only for knowledge of
Her will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to
carry this message to addicts, and to practice these principles in all our
affairs.
If you want what we have to offer, and are willing to make the effort to get
it, then you are ready to take certain steps. These are the principles that
made our recovery possible.
1. We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction, that our lives
had become unmanageable.
2. We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us
to sanity.
3. We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God
as we understood Her.
4. We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact
nature of our wrongs.
6. We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of
character.
7. We humbly asked Her to remove our shortcomings.
8. We made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make
amends to them all.
9. We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when
to do so would injure them or others.
10. We continued to take personal inventory, and when we were wrong
promptly admitted it.
11. We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious
contact with God as we understood Her, praying only for knowledge of
Her will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to
carry this message to addicts, and to practice these principles in all our
affairs.
How it Works (continued)
This sounds like a big order, and we can't do it all at once. We didn't
become addicted in one day, so remember - EASY DOES IT.
There is one thing more than anything else that will defeat us in our
recovery; this is an attitude of indifference or intolerance toward spiritual
principles. Three of these that are indispensable are honesty, openmindedness
and willingness. With these we are well on our way.
We feel that our approach to the disease of addiction is completely
realistic, for the therapeutic value of one addict helping another is without
parallel. We feel that our way is practical, for one addict can best understand
and help another addict. We believe that the sooner we face our problems
within our society, in everyday living, just that much faster do we become
acceptable, responsible, and productive members of that society.
The only way to keep from returning to active addiction is not to take that
first drug. If you are like us you know that one is too many and a thousand
never enough. We put great emphasis on this, for we know that when we use
drugs in any form, or substitute one for another, we release our addiction all
over again.
Thinking of alcohol as different from other drugs has caused a great many
addicts to relapse. Before we came to N.A., many of us viewed alcohol
separately, but we cannot afford to be confused about this. Alcohol is a drug.
We are people with the disease of addiction who must abstain from all drugs
in order to recover.
This sounds like a big order, and we can't do it all at once. We didn't
become addicted in one day, so remember - EASY DOES IT.
There is one thing more than anything else that will defeat us in our
recovery; this is an attitude of indifference or intolerance toward spiritual
principles. Three of these that are indispensable are honesty, openmindedness
and willingness. With these we are well on our way.
We feel that our approach to the disease of addiction is completely
realistic, for the therapeutic value of one addict helping another is without
parallel. We feel that our way is practical, for one addict can best understand
and help another addict. We believe that the sooner we face our problems
within our society, in everyday living, just that much faster do we become
acceptable, responsible, and productive members of that society.
The only way to keep from returning to active addiction is not to take that
first drug. If you are like us you know that one is too many and a thousand
never enough. We put great emphasis on this, for we know that when we use
drugs in any form, or substitute one for another, we release our addiction all
over again.
Thinking of alcohol as different from other drugs has caused a great many
addicts to relapse. Before we came to N.A., many of us viewed alcohol
separately, but we cannot afford to be confused about this. Alcohol is a drug.
We are people with the disease of addiction who must abstain from all drugs
in order to recover.
THE TWELVE TRADITIONS OF N.A.
We keep what we have only with vigilance, and just as freedom for the individual
comes from the Twelve Steps, so freedom for the group springs from our
Traditions.
As long as the ties that bind us together are stronger than those that would tear
us apart, all will be well.
1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends on N.A.
unity.
2. For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority—a loving God as She
may express Herself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted
servants; they do not govern.
3. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using.
4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or
N.A. as a whole.
5. Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry the message to the addict
who still suffers.
6. An N.A. group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the N.A. name to any
related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property or
prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
7. Every N.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside
contributions.
8. Narcotics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service
centers may employ special workers.
9. N.A., as such, ought never be organized, but we may create service boards or
committees directly responsible to those they serve.
10. Narcotics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the N.A. name
ought never be drawn into public controversy.
11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we
need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films.
12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to
place principles before personalities.
Understanding these Traditions comes slowly over a period of time. We pick
up information as we talk to members and visit various groups. It usually isn't
until we get involved with service that someone points out that "personal
recovery depends on N.A. unity", and that unity depends on how well we follow
our Traditions.
The Twelve Traditions of N.A. are not negotiable. They are the guidelines that keep our fellowship alive and free.By following these guidelines in our dealings with others and society at large, we avoid many problems. That is not to say our Traditions eliminate them all. We still have to face difficulties as they arise: communication problems, differences of opinion, internal controversies, and troubles with individuals and groups outside the fellowship. However, when we apply these principles, we avoid some of the pitfalls.
Many of our problems are like those our predecessors had to face. Their
hard-won experience gave birth to the Traditions, and our own experience
has shown that these principles are just as valid today as they were when
these Traditions were formulated. Our Traditions protect us from the
internal and external forces, which could destroy us. They are truly the ties
that bind us together. It is only through understanding and application that
they work.
We keep what we have only with vigilance, and just as freedom for the individual
comes from the Twelve Steps, so freedom for the group springs from our
Traditions.
As long as the ties that bind us together are stronger than those that would tear
us apart, all will be well.
1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends on N.A.
unity.
2. For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority—a loving God as She
may express Herself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted
servants; they do not govern.
3. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using.
4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or
N.A. as a whole.
5. Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry the message to the addict
who still suffers.
6. An N.A. group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the N.A. name to any
related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property or
prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
7. Every N.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside
contributions.
8. Narcotics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service
centers may employ special workers.
9. N.A., as such, ought never be organized, but we may create service boards or
committees directly responsible to those they serve.
10. Narcotics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the N.A. name
ought never be drawn into public controversy.
11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we
need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films.
12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to
place principles before personalities.
Understanding these Traditions comes slowly over a period of time. We pick
up information as we talk to members and visit various groups. It usually isn't
until we get involved with service that someone points out that "personal
recovery depends on N.A. unity", and that unity depends on how well we follow
our Traditions.
The Twelve Traditions of N.A. are not negotiable. They are the guidelines that keep our fellowship alive and free.By following these guidelines in our dealings with others and society at large, we avoid many problems. That is not to say our Traditions eliminate them all. We still have to face difficulties as they arise: communication problems, differences of opinion, internal controversies, and troubles with individuals and groups outside the fellowship. However, when we apply these principles, we avoid some of the pitfalls.
Many of our problems are like those our predecessors had to face. Their
hard-won experience gave birth to the Traditions, and our own experience
has shown that these principles are just as valid today as they were when
these Traditions were formulated. Our Traditions protect us from the
internal and external forces, which could destroy us. They are truly the ties
that bind us together. It is only through understanding and application that
they work.
You go girl!! Hi I am Wendy and I too am an addict hope we can get some life into this !!!! Thanks you are really full of energy thats great!!
My name is Cathy and I am an addict!
Are there other addicts out there who would like to get a meeting started?
Thought for the day: "You are not alone."
When new members come into my group, do I make a special effort to make them feel at home? Do I put myself out to listen to them, even if their ideas of this program are very vague? Do I make it a habit to talk to new members, or do I leave that to others? I may not be able to help them, but then again it might be something that I say that would help start them on the road to recovery. Seeing new members sitting alone, do I try to talk with them or join my own special circle and leave them out? [I]Are all new members my responsibility?
Are there other addicts out there who would like to get a meeting started?
Thought for the day: "You are not alone."
When new members come into my group, do I make a special effort to make them feel at home? Do I put myself out to listen to them, even if their ideas of this program are very vague? Do I make it a habit to talk to new members, or do I leave that to others? I may not be able to help them, but then again it might be something that I say that would help start them on the road to recovery. Seeing new members sitting alone, do I try to talk with them or join my own special circle and leave them out? [I]Are all new members my responsibility?
My name is Cathy and I am an addict. I'd love to have you join me.
Here's a thought for the day....If I hold resentment against others that I find difficult to overcome, I should try to put something else constructive into my mind. I should pray for those against whom I hold the resentment. I should put them in God's hands and let Him show the way. If it proves that they are doing the same for me, we are all in God's grace.
How do you handle resentments?
Here's a thought for the day....If I hold resentment against others that I find difficult to overcome, I should try to put something else constructive into my mind. I should pray for those against whom I hold the resentment. I should put them in God's hands and let Him show the way. If it proves that they are doing the same for me, we are all in God's grace.
How do you handle resentments?
My name is Cathy and I am still an addict.
The Basic Text tells us that "when a resentment or any other emotional upheaval occurs, failure to practice the steps can result in a relapse.
We must relearn many things that we have forgotten and develop a new approach to life if we are to survive."
Don't let today's expectations become tomorrow's resentments.
The Basic Text tells us that "when a resentment or any other emotional upheaval occurs, failure to practice the steps can result in a relapse.
We must relearn many things that we have forgotten and develop a new approach to life if we are to survive."
Don't let today's expectations become tomorrow's resentments.
Hi, Everyone I have recently just discovered online meetings, and would like to get started too!
I am definately an addict and as a direct result of my addiction I have been placed on house arrest and am unable to attend meetings, so I thought I would give this a try.
I am not quite sure exactly how these online meetings work, and I am also not real good with the computer but I am gonna give this a try.
I am definately an addict and as a direct result of my addiction I have been placed on house arrest and am unable to attend meetings, so I thought I would give this a try.
I am not quite sure exactly how these online meetings work, and I am also not real good with the computer but I am gonna give this a try.
hi i am also an addict and have stayed clean for 68 days on my own i has been hard so now looking onto online meetings would like to find a sponcer
QUOTE(Karis @ Mar 27 2005, 09:08 AM)
hi i am also an addict and have stayed clean for 68 days on my own i has been hard so now looking onto online meetings would like to find a sponcer
[snapback]385[/snapback]
Hi karis
my name is gregg k and Im a addict, been clean for over seven years don't have all the answers but I do have alot of experience. I would suggest to go to a meeting receive your new comers chip remember your clean date and get a basic text and read the first few chapters. When you go to bed tonight tie your shoes together and throw them as far as you can under your bed. Tomorrow, when you get up when you get your shoes why don't you as God to help you stay clean and willing to do what ever it takes to stay clean.
Where do I turn since I do not believe in god?
QUOTE(Cobr21 @ Apr 3 2005, 07:50 AM)
QUOTE(chatticathy @ Oct 7 2004, 08:32 PM)
HOW IT WORKS
If you want what we have to offer, and are willing to make the effort to get
it, then you are ready to take certain steps. These are the principles that
made our recovery possible.
1. We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction, that our lives
had become unmanageable.
2. We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us
to sanity.
3. We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God
as we understood Her.
4. We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact
nature of our wrongs.
6. We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of
character.
7. We humbly asked Her to remove our shortcomings.
8. We made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make
amends to them all.
9. We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when
to do so would injure them or others.
10. We continued to take personal inventory, and when we were wrong
promptly admitted it.
11. We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious
contact with God as we understood Her, praying only for knowledge of
Her will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to
carry this message to addicts, and to practice these principles in all our
affairs.
If you want what we have to offer, and are willing to make the effort to get
it, then you are ready to take certain steps. These are the principles that
made our recovery possible.
1. We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction, that our lives
had become unmanageable.
2. We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us
to sanity.
3. We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God
as we understood Her.
4. We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact
nature of our wrongs.
6. We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of
character.
7. We humbly asked Her to remove our shortcomings.
8. We made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make
amends to them all.
9. We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when
to do so would injure them or others.
10. We continued to take personal inventory, and when we were wrong
promptly admitted it.
11. We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious
contact with God as we understood Her, praying only for knowledge of
Her will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to
carry this message to addicts, and to practice these principles in all our
affairs.
[snapback]172[/snapback]
[snapback]406[/snapback]
hi chatticathy:
how long have you been on this web site. My name is fahrfromusin and I'm a addict. looking for some good recovery, do you know where that might be. Is it here in this room or what? How much time do you have clean not that it matters just courious. well get back at me later.
fahrfromusin calif.
Back again!Hi I'm Brenda and I'm an addict - went to my first NA meeting about 10 years ago and did not want what they had bad enough. But I kept going back over and over during the 10 years the most clean time I had was 9 mos. several different times. Have a sponsor, 4th step was as far as I have gotten - right now I am cigarette free for 2 mos. but can't stop smoking everything else. I keep thinking if I can stop smoking cigarettes I should be able to stop anything. But that has not been the case. Thinking I should be able to do it does not fit with the first step idea that I am powerless over my addiction. Maybe I should act like I don't know anything. Staying clean seems out of reach.
QUOTE(Cobr21 @ Apr 3 2005, 06:50 AM)
Where do I turn since I do not believe in god?
[snapback]406[/snapback]
All you have to do is believe that there is a power greater than yourself. GOD can be Group Of Druggies, Good Orderly Direction, whatever. I had a really hard time with the GOD thing for awhile but have become comfortable with it now. Just act as if you believe and be open to the possibility of a power greater than youself. Talk to "it" and see what happens.
QUOTE(chatticathy @ Apr 14 2005, 11:03 PM)
QUOTE(Cobr21 @ Apr 3 2005, 06:50 AM)
Where do I turn since I do not believe in god?
[snapback]406[/snapback]
All you have to do is believe that there is a power greater than yourself. GOD can be Group Of Druggies, Good Orderly Direction, whatever. I had a really hard time with the GOD thing for awhile but have become comfortable with it now. Just act as if you believe and be open to the possibility of a power greater than youself. Talk to "it" and see what happens.
[snapback]456[/snapback]
I bought the book "Secrets to an addiction frre, pleasure filled life:The Great Game" by James Ronin. Have you heard of it? It is an inspiring and uplifting method to recovery. I suggest reading at least his explanation of his method at nomoreaddiction.net. There is so much I would like to share and ask while posting these, but I feel guilty. Like the many times I entered group meetings just to be turned away for being under the influence. The only time I get on here is while high and running low. Soon I will be experiencing extreme want, desire, and feeling of loss simmilar to the way death of my best friend felt. It is like dealing with my one death when the frustration, guilt, and dissapointment set in. Eight years of escaping life and witnessing my slow death is taking a toll. Well I ran out, off to my parents house to hide from this devil. hope her purse is not sitting out. So much for honer! Get back to me chattycathy I would like to talk to someone who hasn't givin up on me.
[I][COLOR=purple] Hello my name is Nice1Evil1 I just recently relapsed after 5 years clean
QUOTE(chatticathy @ Oct 7 2004, 08:29 PM)
My name is Cathy and I am an addict.
WHO IS AN ADDICT?
Most of us do not have to think twice about this question. WE KNOW! Our
whole life and thinking was centered in drugs in one form or another, the
getting and using and finding ways and means to get more. We lived to use and
used to live. Very simply, an addict is a man or woman whose life is controlled
by drugs. We are people in the grip of a continuing and progressive illness
whose ends are always the same: jails, institutions and death.
WHAT IS THE NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS PROGRAM?
N.A. is a non-profit Fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs
had become a major problem. We are recovering addicts who meet regularly
to help each other stay clean. This is a program of complete abstinence from
all drugs. There is only ONE requirement for membership, the desire to stop
using. We suggest that you keep an open mind and give yourself a break. Our
program is a set of principles written so simply that we can follow them in our
daily lives. The most important thing about them is that THEY WORK.
There are no strings attached to N.A. We are not affiliated with any other
organizations, we have no initiation fees or dues, no pledges to sign, no
promises to make to anyone. We are not connected with any Political, religious
or law enforcement groups, and are under no surveillance at any time. Anyone
may join us, regardless of age, race, sexual identity, creed, religion or lack of
religion.
We are not interested in what or how much you used or who your
connections were, what you have done in the past, how much or how little you
have, but only in what you want to do about your problem and how we can help.
The newcomer is the most important person at any meeting, because we can
only keep what we have by giving it away. We have learned from our group
experience that those who keep coming to our meetings regularly stay clean.
WHO IS AN ADDICT?
Most of us do not have to think twice about this question. WE KNOW! Our
whole life and thinking was centered in drugs in one form or another, the
getting and using and finding ways and means to get more. We lived to use and
used to live. Very simply, an addict is a man or woman whose life is controlled
by drugs. We are people in the grip of a continuing and progressive illness
whose ends are always the same: jails, institutions and death.
WHAT IS THE NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS PROGRAM?
N.A. is a non-profit Fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs
had become a major problem. We are recovering addicts who meet regularly
to help each other stay clean. This is a program of complete abstinence from
all drugs. There is only ONE requirement for membership, the desire to stop
using. We suggest that you keep an open mind and give yourself a break. Our
program is a set of principles written so simply that we can follow them in our
daily lives. The most important thing about them is that THEY WORK.
There are no strings attached to N.A. We are not affiliated with any other
organizations, we have no initiation fees or dues, no pledges to sign, no
promises to make to anyone. We are not connected with any Political, religious
or law enforcement groups, and are under no surveillance at any time. Anyone
may join us, regardless of age, race, sexual identity, creed, religion or lack of
religion.
We are not interested in what or how much you used or who your
connections were, what you have done in the past, how much or how little you
have, but only in what you want to do about your problem and how we can help.
The newcomer is the most important person at any meeting, because we can
only keep what we have by giving it away. We have learned from our group
experience that those who keep coming to our meetings regularly stay clean.
[snapback]170[/snapback]
QUOTE(chatticathy @ Apr 14 2005, 09:03 PM)
QUOTE(Cobr21 @ Apr 3 2005, 06:50 AM)
Where do I turn since I do not believe in god?
[snapback]406[/snapback]
All you have to do is believe that there is a power greater than yourself. GOD can be Group Of Druggies, Good Orderly Direction, whatever. I had a really hard time with the GOD thing for awhile but have become comfortable with it now. Just act as if you believe and be open to the possibility of a power greater than youself. Talk to "it" and see what happens.
[snapback]456[/snapback]
Hi! My name is Roxann and I'm an addict. I'm so glad to find you all here! I'm just starting to navigate the site...hopefully I'll find where the meetings are held.
Hugs!
Hugs!
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