Narcotics Anonymous Message Board

Dave R · Dave R

"Our understanding of a Higher Power is up to us...The only suggested guidelines are that this Power be loving, caring, and greater than ourselves."Basic Text, p. 24=We've been told that we can believe in any kind of Higher Power we want as long as it is loving and, of course, greater than ourselves. ...

Dave R · Dave R

"Help for addicts begins only when we are able to admit complete defeat."Basic Text, p. 22=Complete defeat--what a concept! That must mean surrender. Surrender--to give up absolutely. To quit with no reservations. To put up our hands and quit fighting. Maybe to put up our hand at our first...

Dave R · Dave R

"Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps..."Step Twelve="How will I know when I have had a spiritual awakening?" For many of us, a spiritual awakening comes gradually. Perhaps our first spiritual awareness is as simple as a new appreciation for life. Maybe one day we'll sudden...

Dave R · Dave R

"As we develop faith in our daily lives, we find that our Higher Power supplies us with the strength and guidance that we need."Basic Text, p. 94=Some of us come into recovery very frightened and insecure. We feel weak and alone. We are uncertain of our direction and don't know where to go for answe...

Dave R · Dave R

"I'm very grateful to have come to believe."IP No. 21, The Loner=Belief in a Higher Power can make all the difference when the going gets tough! When things don't go our way in recovery, our sponsor may direct us to make a gratitude list. When we do, we should include our faith in a Power greater than o...

Dave R · Dave R

"Our earliest involvements with others often begin with our sponsor."Basic Text, p. 57=Our sponsors can be abundant sources of recovery information, wisdom, and loving words. They've done so much for us. From the late night telephone calls to the hours spent listening to our recovery writing...

Dave R · Dave R

"Our spiritual condition is the basis for a successful recovery that offers unlimited growth."Basic Text, p. 44=When our members celebrate their recovery anniversaries, they often say that they've "grown up" in NA. Well, then, we think, what does that mean? We start to wonder if were grownu...

Dave R · Dave R

"Narcotics Anonymous offers addicts a program of recovery that is more than just a life without drugs. Not only is this way of life better than the hell we lived, it is better than any life that we have ever known."Basic Text, p. 107=Few of us have any interest in "recovering" what we had before we start...

Dave R · Dave R

"I used to think that I had all the answers, but today I am glad that I don't." =What are the two favorite words of most addicts? "I know!" Unfortunately, many of us arrive in NA thinking we have all the answers. We have a lot of knowledge about whats wrong with us. But in and of itself, knowledge neve...

Dave R · Dave R

"We can enjoy our families in a new way and may become a credit to them instead of an embarrassment or a burden."Basic Text, p. 104=We're doing great in recovery, aren't we? We go to a meeting every day, we spend every evening with our friends in the fellowship, and every weekend we dash off to a service w...

Davethewave · Davethewave

So I guess someone lost posting privileges?

Dave R · Dave R

"Today, secure in the love of the fellowship, we can finally look another human being in the eye and be grateful for who we are."Basic Text, p. 92=When we were using, few of us could tolerate looking someone in the eye--we were ashamed of who we were. Our minds were not occupied with anything decent or he...

Dave R · Dave R

"We eventually redefine our beliefs and understanding to the point where we see that our greatest need is for knowledge of God's will for us and the strength to carry that out."Basic Text, p. 48=When we first arrived in NA, we had all kinds of ideas of what we needed. Some of us set our sight...

Dave R · Dave R

January 2Take a deep breath and talk to GodSometimes when we pray, a remarkable thing happens: We find the means, ways, and energies to perform tasks far beyond our capacities.Basic Text, p. 46=Coping successfully with lifes minor annoyances and frustrations is sometimes the most difficult ski...

Dave R · Dave R

We keep what we have only with vigilance... Basic Text, p. 60 = How do we remain vigilant about our recovery? First, by realizing that we have a disease we will always have. No matter how long weve been clean, no matter how much better our lives have become, no matter what the extent of our spiritual h...

Dave R · Dave R

"Working with others is only the beginning of service work."Basic Text, p. 59=We're in recovery now. Through living the program, we've attained some stability in our lives. Our faith in a Higher Power has grown. Our individual spiritual awakening is progressing comfortably. So now what? Do...

Dave R · Dave R

"..growth is not the result of wishing but of action and prayer."Basic Text, p. 37=Sometimes it seems as if our recovery is growing much too slowly. We struggle with the steps; we wrestle with the same problems; we labor under the same uncomfortable feelings day after day. We wish that recovery wou...

Dave R · Dave R

"When someone points out a shortcoming, our first reaction may be defensive....[But] if we truly want to be free, we will take a good look at input from fellow addicts."Basic Text, p. 36=At some point in our recovery, we come to the awkward realization that the way we see ourselves is not ne...

Dave R · Dave R

We are no longer fighting fear, anger, guilt, self-pity, or depression. Basic Text, p. 27 = As addicts, many of us experience depression from time to time. When we feel depressed, we may be tempted to isolate ourselves. However, if we do this, our depression may turn to despair. We can't afford to...

Dave R · Dave R

The process of coming to believe restores us to sanity. The strength to move into action comes from this belief. Basic Text, p. 24 Now that weve finally admitted our insanity and seen examples of it in all its manifestations, we might be tempted to believe that we are doomed to repeat this behavior for...

Dave R · Dave R

"As we learn to trust this Power, we begin to overcome our fear of life."Basic Text, p. 25=We are people accustomed to placing all our eggs in one basket. Many of us had one particular drug of choice that was our favorite. We relied on it to get us through each day and make life bearable. We were faithfu...

Dave R · Dave R

"The drive for personal gain...which brought so much pain in the past falls by the wayside if we adhere to the principle of anonymity."Basic Text, p. 76=The word anonymity itself means namelessness, but there's a larger principle at work in the anonymity of the NA program: the principle of sel...

Dave R · Dave R

"The Twelfth Step of our personal program also says that we carry the message to the addict who still suffers...The group is the most powerful vehicle we have for carrying the message."Basic Text, p. 68=When we first come to Narcotics Anonymous meetings, we meet recovering addicts. We know they ar...

Dave R · Dave R

"We reevaluate our old ideas so we can become acquainted with the new ideas that lead to a new way of life."Basic Text, p. 94=Learning to live a new way of life can be difficult. Sometimes, when the going gets especially hard, were tempted to follow the path of least resistance and live by our old ideas a...

Dave R · Dave R

"When at the end of the road we find that we can no longer function as a human being, either with or without drugs, we all face the same dilemma...Either go on as best we can to the bitter ends--jails, institutions, or death--or find a new way to live."Basic Text, p. 87=What was the worst aspect of active a...

Dave R · Dave R

"Freedom to change seems to come after acceptance of ourselves."Basic Text, p. 58=Fear and denial are the opposites of acceptance. None of us are perfect, even in our own eyes; all of us have certain traits that, given the chance, we would like to change. We sometimes become overwhelmed when co...

Dave R · Dave R

"In living the steps, we begin to let go of our self-obsession."Basic Text, p. 97=Many of us came to the program convinced that our feelings, our wants, and our needs were of the utmost importance to everyone. We had practiced a lifetime of self-seeking, self-centered behavior and believed it was t...

LeeM · LeeM

Hello friends, This is the issue raised by three motions to be debated at the 2018 World Service Conference in April-May of next year. As a Conference, we have never definitively spoken on this issue. The Board has addressed it twice, though in somewhat conflicting terms. NA Groups and Medicatio...

Dave R · Dave R

"Words mean nothing until we put them into action."Basic Text, p. 58=The Twelfth Step reminds us "to practice these principles in all our affairs." In NA, we see living examples of this suggestion all around us. The more experienced members, who seem to have an aura of peace...

Dave R · Dave R

"The fact that we, each and every group, focus on carrying the message provides consistency; addicts can count on us."Basic Text, p. 68=Tales of our antics in active addiction may be funny. Stories of our old bizarre reactions to life when using may be interesting. But they tend to carr...

Topic		Started By	Replies	Views	Last Post
	JFT January 14 A loving God (Preview) "Our understanding of a Higher Power is up to us...The only suggested guidelines are that this Power be loving, caring, and greater than ourselves."Basic Text, p. 24=We've been told that we can believe in any kind of Higher Power we want as long as it is loving and, of course, greater than ourselves. ...	Dave R	1	2770	Jan 14, 2018 by Dave R
	JFT January 13 Surrender to win (Preview) "Help for addicts begins only when we are able to admit complete defeat."Basic Text, p. 22=Complete defeat--what a concept! That must mean surrender. Surrender--to give up absolutely. To quit with no reservations. To put up our hands and quit fighting. Maybe to put up our hand at our first...	Dave R	1	2615	Jan 13, 2018 by Dave R
	JFT January 12 Spiritual awakenings (Preview) "Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps..."Step Twelve="How will I know when I have had a spiritual awakening?" For many of us, a spiritual awakening comes gradually. Perhaps our first spiritual awareness is as simple as a new appreciation for life. Maybe one day we'll sudden...	Dave R	1	455	Jan 12, 2018 by Dave R
	JFT January 11 Faith (Preview) "As we develop faith in our daily lives, we find that our Higher Power supplies us with the strength and guidance that we need."Basic Text, p. 94=Some of us come into recovery very frightened and insecure. We feel weak and alone. We are uncertain of our direction and don't know where to go for answe...	Dave R	1	467	Jan 11, 2018 by Dave R
	JFT January 10 Gratitude (Preview) "I'm very grateful to have come to believe."IP No. 21, The Loner=Belief in a Higher Power can make all the difference when the going gets tough! When things don't go our way in recovery, our sponsor may direct us to make a gratitude list. When we do, we should include our faith in a Power greater than o...	Dave R	1	3112	Jan 10, 2018 by Dave R
	JFT January 9 Returning our sponsor's kindness (Preview) "Our earliest involvements with others often begin with our sponsor."Basic Text, p. 57=Our sponsors can be abundant sources of recovery information, wisdom, and loving words. They've done so much for us. From the late night telephone calls to the hours spent listening to our recovery writing...	Dave R	1	451	Jan 9, 2018 by Dave R
	JFT January 8 Growing up (Preview) "Our spiritual condition is the basis for a successful recovery that offers unlimited growth."Basic Text, p. 44=When our members celebrate their recovery anniversaries, they often say that they've "grown up" in NA. Well, then, we think, what does that mean? We start to wonder if were grownu...	Dave R	1	464	Jan 8, 2018 by Dave R
	JFT January 7 Recovery (Preview) "Narcotics Anonymous offers addicts a program of recovery that is more than just a life without drugs. Not only is this way of life better than the hell we lived, it is better than any life that we have ever known."Basic Text, p. 107=Few of us have any interest in "recovering" what we had before we start...	Dave R	1	438	Jan 7, 2018 by Dave R
	JFT January 6 "How does it work?" (Preview) "I used to think that I had all the answers, but today I am glad that I don't." =What are the two favorite words of most addicts? "I know!" Unfortunately, many of us arrive in NA thinking we have all the answers. We have a lot of knowledge about whats wrong with us. But in and of itself, knowledge neve...	Dave R	1	486	Jan 6, 2018 by Dave R
	JFT January 5 Recovery at home (Preview) "We can enjoy our families in a new way and may become a credit to them instead of an embarrassment or a burden."Basic Text, p. 104=We're doing great in recovery, aren't we? We go to a meeting every day, we spend every evening with our friends in the fellowship, and every weekend we dash off to a service w...	Dave R	2	414	Jan 5, 2018 by Davethewave
	Cleaned up? (Preview) So I guess someone lost posting privileges?	Davethewave	2	344	Jan 4, 2018 by Davethewave
	JFT January 4 The love of the fellowship (Preview) "Today, secure in the love of the fellowship, we can finally look another human being in the eye and be grateful for who we are."Basic Text, p. 92=When we were using, few of us could tolerate looking someone in the eye--we were ashamed of who we were. Our minds were not occupied with anything decent or he...	Dave R	1	468	Jan 4, 2018 by Dave R
	JFT January 3 Our greatest need (Preview) "We eventually redefine our beliefs and understanding to the point where we see that our greatest need is for knowledge of God's will for us and the strength to carry that out."Basic Text, p. 48=When we first arrived in NA, we had all kinds of ideas of what we needed. Some of us set our sight...	Dave R	1	660	Jan 3, 2018 by Dave R
	JFT January 2 Take a deep breath and talk to God (Preview) January 2Take a deep breath and talk to GodSometimes when we pray, a remarkable thing happens: We find the means, ways, and energies to perform tasks far beyond our capacities.Basic Text, p. 46=Coping successfully with lifes minor annoyances and frustrations is sometimes the most difficult ski...	Dave R	2	647	Jan 2, 2018 by Dave R
	JFT January 1 Vigilance (Preview) We keep what we have only with vigilance... Basic Text, p. 60 = How do we remain vigilant about our recovery? First, by realizing that we have a disease we will always have. No matter how long weve been clean, no matter how much better our lives have become, no matter what the extent of our spiritual h...	Dave R	2	573	Jan 1, 2018 by Dave R
	JFT December 31 Being or service (Preview) "Working with others is only the beginning of service work."Basic Text, p. 59=We're in recovery now. Through living the program, we've attained some stability in our lives. Our faith in a Higher Power has grown. Our individual spiritual awakening is progressing comfortably. So now what? Do...	Dave R	1	472	Dec 31, 2017 by Dave R
	JFT December 30 Action and prayer (Preview) "..growth is not the result of wishing but of action and prayer."Basic Text, p. 37=Sometimes it seems as if our recovery is growing much too slowly. We struggle with the steps; we wrestle with the same problems; we labor under the same uncomfortable feelings day after day. We wish that recovery wou...	Dave R	1	405	Dec 30, 2017 by Dave R
	JFT December 29 Through others' eyes (Preview) "When someone points out a shortcoming, our first reaction may be defensive....[But] if we truly want to be free, we will take a good look at input from fellow addicts."Basic Text, p. 36=At some point in our recovery, we come to the awkward realization that the way we see ourselves is not ne...	Dave R	2	521	Dec 29, 2017 by Dave R
	JFT December 28 Depression (Preview) We are no longer fighting fear, anger, guilt, self-pity, or depression. Basic Text, p. 27 = As addicts, many of us experience depression from time to time. When we feel depressed, we may be tempted to isolate ourselves. However, if we do this, our depression may turn to despair. We can't afford to...	Dave R	2	635	Dec 28, 2017 by Dave R
	JFT December 27 God could restore us to sanity (Preview) The process of coming to believe restores us to sanity. The strength to move into action comes from this belief. Basic Text, p. 24 Now that weve finally admitted our insanity and seen examples of it in all its manifestations, we might be tempted to believe that we are doomed to repeat this behavior for...	Dave R	2	517	Dec 27, 2017 by Dave R
	JFT December 26 Never-failing power (Preview) "As we learn to trust this Power, we begin to overcome our fear of life."Basic Text, p. 25=We are people accustomed to placing all our eggs in one basket. Many of us had one particular drug of choice that was our favorite. We relied on it to get us through each day and make life bearable. We were faithfu...	Dave R	1	444	Dec 26, 2017 by Dave R
	JFT December 25 Anonymity and self-will (Preview) "The drive for personal gain...which brought so much pain in the past falls by the wayside if we adhere to the principle of anonymity."Basic Text, p. 76=The word anonymity itself means namelessness, but there's a larger principle at work in the anonymity of the NA program: the principle of sel...	Dave R	2	462	Dec 25, 2017 by Dave R
	JFT December 24 The group (Preview) "The Twelfth Step of our personal program also says that we carry the message to the addict who still suffers...The group is the most powerful vehicle we have for carrying the message."Basic Text, p. 68=When we first come to Narcotics Anonymous meetings, we meet recovering addicts. We know they ar...	Dave R	1	470	Dec 24, 2017 by Dave R
	JFT December 23 New ideas (Preview) "We reevaluate our old ideas so we can become acquainted with the new ideas that lead to a new way of life."Basic Text, p. 94=Learning to live a new way of life can be difficult. Sometimes, when the going gets especially hard, were tempted to follow the path of least resistance and live by our old ideas a...	Dave R	1	512	Dec 23, 2017 by Dave R
	JFT December 22 A new way to live (Preview) "When at the end of the road we find that we can no longer function as a human being, either with or without drugs, we all face the same dilemma...Either go on as best we can to the bitter ends--jails, institutions, or death--or find a new way to live."Basic Text, p. 87=What was the worst aspect of active a...	Dave R	1	423	Dec 22, 2017 by Dave R
	JFT December 21 Acceptance and change (Preview) "Freedom to change seems to come after acceptance of ourselves."Basic Text, p. 58=Fear and denial are the opposites of acceptance. None of us are perfect, even in our own eyes; all of us have certain traits that, given the chance, we would like to change. We sometimes become overwhelmed when co...	Dave R	1	477	Dec 21, 2017 by Dave R
	JFT December 20 Overcoming self-obsession (Preview) "In living the steps, we begin to let go of our self-obsession."Basic Text, p. 97=Many of us came to the program convinced that our feelings, our wants, and our needs were of the utmost importance to everyone. We had practiced a lifetime of self-seeking, self-centered behavior and believed it was t...	Dave R	2	518	Dec 20, 2017 by Dave R
	Can I lead a meeting if I'm on DRT? (Preview) Hello friends, This is the issue raised by three motions to be debated at the 2018 World Service Conference in April-May of next year. As a Conference, we have never definitively spoken on this issue. The Board has addressed it twice, though in somewhat conflicting terms. NA Groups and Medicatio...	LeeM	4	504	Dec 20, 2017 by Jasper Oceans
	JFT December 19 Walking the way we talk (Preview) "Words mean nothing until we put them into action."Basic Text, p. 58=The Twelfth Step reminds us "to practice these principles in all our affairs." In NA, we see living examples of this suggestion all around us. The more experienced members, who seem to have an aura of peace...	Dave R	1	551	Dec 19, 2017 by Dave R
	JFT December 18 The message of our meetings (Preview) "The fact that we, each and every group, focus on carrying the message provides consistency; addicts can count on us."Basic Text, p. 68=Tales of our antics in active addiction may be funny. Stories of our old bizarre reactions to life when using may be interesting. But they tend to carr...	Dave R	1	505	Dec 18, 2017 by Dave R
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